Sri Lanka – New Zealand 2nd ODI: Kusal Guides Sri Lanka to Series Win

Kusal Mendis

By M. Shamil Amit Reporting from Pallekele

Kusal Mendis, with a composed and patient unbeaten knock of 74 off 102 balls, including six boundaries, guided Sri Lanka to a thrilling three-wicket win with six balls to spare in the second match of the three-match ODI series, played under floodlights at the Pallekele International Stadium. The victory secured the series for the hosts with one match left to be played tomorrow.

Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 210 runs, faced several anxious moments as right-arm spinner Michael Bracewell almost turned the game in favor of the visitors by taking crucial wickets at pivotal stages.

At one stage, Sri Lanka was in deep trouble at 93 for 5 in the 22nd over, with Bracewell accounting for three of the dismissals. However, two brief partnerships brought Sri Lanka back into the game. The first was a 39-run stand for the sixth wicket between Mendis and Janith Liyanage, and the second was a 24-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Mendis and Dunith Wellalage.

The turning point came when Maheesh Theekshana joined Mendis at the crease, with Sri Lanka needing 47 runs to win. The pair, under immense pressure, saw the team through to victory. Theekshana’s resilient and determined unbeaten knock of 27 off 44 balls, which included two boundaries and a six, provided the perfect support for Mendis.

Earlier, Mark Chapman and Mitchell Hay rescued New Zealand when they were struggling, with the duo putting together a valuable 75-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, once Chapman was dismissed, New Zealand lost wickets in quick succession, losing their last five wickets for just 36 runs to finish with a total of 209.

New Zealand, opting to bat first, endured fluctuating fortunes. They lost their first wicket in the second over with the score at nine. Rain disrupted proceedings twice during their innings. The first interruption occurred after nine overs, with New Zealand at 37 for 2, resulting in a 35-minute delay but no reduction in overs.

The second stoppage came with New Zealand at 70 for 3 in the 17th over. A heavy shower caused a 45-minute delay, and the match was subsequently reduced to 47 overs per side.
Chapman, joined by Mitchell Hay, put up stiff resistance. Chapman reached his half-century in 65 balls, including five boundaries and a six. The duo added 75 runs for the fifth wicket, helping New Zealand cross the 150-run mark.

However, pacer Asitha Fernando dealt a double blow in his fifth over, dismissing Chapman (76 off 81 balls, with seven boundaries and three sixes) on the first ball and Michael Bracewell on the fifth. New Zealand slid from 173 for 4 to 173 for 6.

Spinner Jeffrey Vandersay further dented New Zealand’s progress with two wickets in two balls, dismissing skipper Santner and Nathan Smith, though he narrowly missed out on a hat-trick. Maheesh Theekshana also claimed two wickets, including Hay, who fell short of a half-century, as New Zealand set a target of 210 for Sri Lanka.

Spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each, while pacer Asitha Fernando claimed two scalps.