By Pranavesh Sivakumar
Sri Lanka, in pursuit of 320 to square the series subsequent to a spirited fightback, went down by 29-runs, at the 2nd one-dayer, thereby conceding the kiwis an unassailable 2-0 lead, in the 3 match series.
Hunting down the second-successive 300+ target, in the ODI-leg at Mount Maunganui, on Saturday (05), hosts had to overcome a double-trouble as Dickwella was dismissed cheaply, followed suit by another setback of the explosive first match centurion Kusal Janith, both back in the hut.
First match flop Kusal Mendis, didn’t last-long either, as the 23-year-old perished with the score soon reading 112 for three. Though, wickets were tumbling, Gunathilaka steadied Sri Lanka’s struggling and slipping ship with a badly-needed half-ton.
The worst was yet to come, when Neesham made a nasty strike removing Danushka (71) and Dinesh, too failing to make a contribution. With only one recognised pair left, and not even midway mark, it appeared a weak surrender to the series.
But, with the arrival of iron man, Thisara Perera, the home-side had to work and wait for their victory. He slowly, but steadily began to turn the tide, though, bulk of batsmen had recklessly ditched and let the ship stranded. Thanks to the late fireworks, that also rang a bell of “Lankan brand of cricket”, and going down fighting to the last ball.
Perera, blasted 140 of only 74-deliveries, comprising maximums (13) greater than fours (8), the highlight of fighting a lonely battle, with only tail-enders at the other end.
The devastating and deserving man-of-the-match, made his opponents sweat for the series, and delaying, the miracle at Mount Maunganui. Centurion on a losing cause, in the process of the destructive knock, surpassed fellow former star southpaw Sanath, in most-sixes in an innings with his tally of 13.
From the bowling department, only Sodhi was pick of the bowlers with 3-55, including a maiden over as well as a decent economy rate. However, all the bowlers went for runs, with Henry and Neesham sharing a 2-wickets apiece.
Winning the toss, and opting to bat first black caps lost a danger man, Guptill early for the relief of tourists. But, three of their batsmen compensated with Ross Taylor (90), the chief destroyer, alongside Munro’s 87 and Neesham’s more than a cameo of 64. It was going to be Neesham’s day, sparkling with both bat and ball, till Thisara’s massacre of the innocence, overshadowed.
Run-outs ran through New Zealand ruthlessly, as that alone costed one shy of half-a-dozen dismissal’s. Coincidentally, the same was the culprit for three of the top-scorers. New Zealand, did have an off-day first with running between the wickets, and next with poor fielding exposing the pathetic fielding spilling five chances, including of Perera.
The speciality of the kiwis’ scorecard was, virtually every batter contributing to the imposing total. Even, with 32 and 22, from Nicholas and Seifert respectively, all those had the paved the path for an uphill total. Unlike, the New Zealand bowling show, Lankan didn’t have much to brag about as skipper and speed spearhead Slinga Malinga, the only bowler with best figures of 2 for 45. His economy rate (4.50) was also impressive in the high-scoring thriller.
The teams will now travel to Nelson for the 3rd and final dead rubber clash on Tuesday (08), and tour concluding with a lone T-20 on Friday (11) at Auckland.
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