Kusal Mendis Shines Again as Sri Lanka Clinch Victory
Sri Lanka has finally ended an almost decade-long wait by winning an ODI series against New Zealand for the first time since 2012.
On Sunday, Sri Lanka faced New Zealand in the second match of the three-match ODI series at Pallekele. The rain-affected match saw the hosts secure a 3-wicket victory over the Kiwis, thus clinching the series with one match remaining.
Due to rain, the match at Pallekele on Sunday was reduced to 47 overs. The Sri Lankan bowlers put pressure on New Zealand, who were bowled out for 209 runs. Sri Lanka chased down the target with one over to spare, losing 7 wickets in the process.
New Zealand, after losing the toss and being put to bat, lost Tim Robinson (4) in the second over. Henry Nicholls, who came in at number three, departed soon after. By the 8th over, New Zealand had lost two wickets for just 31 runs. Then, rain intervened.
After the rain break, Will Young and Chapman added 38 runs for the third wicket. However, despite settling in, Young couldn’t build on his innings and got out for 26. Shortly after, rain interrupted again, shortening the match further.
Glenn Phillips couldn’t last long and was dismissed for 15 off 22 balls, leaving New Zealand at 4 wickets down before reaching three figures. Chapman and Mitchell Hay helped the team recover by forming a 75-run partnership.
By the end of the 36th over, New Zealand had reached 173 for 4, with 250 looking achievable. However, the scenario changed quickly. In the next over, Asitha Fernando dismissed Chapman, who scored 76 off 81 balls. Asitha also sent back Bracewell (0) in the same over.
Vandersay delivered a double strike in the 41st over, removing Santner and Nathan Smith. The innings concluded in the 45.1st over when Theekshana dismissed Mitchell Hay for 49, bowling out New Zealand for 209. Theekshana and Vandersay both took 3 wickets, while Asitha claimed 2.
In pursuit of 210 runs, Sri Lanka also faced early pressure. They lost 4 wickets for 65 and 5 wickets by the time the score reached 93, with Bracewell taking 3 of them. The only notable contributions were Pathum Nissanka’s 28 off 33 balls and Charith Asalanka’s 13.
Kusal Mendis, however, held one end and rescued Sri Lanka yet again. He added 39 runs for the sixth wicket with Janith Liyanage (22) and another 31 runs with Dunith Wellalage (18).
At 163 for 7 in 36.1 overs, New Zealand started hoping for a win, but Mendis, with support from Theekshana, shattered those hopes. The duo put on an unbeaten 47* run partnership off 59 balls to secure the victory.
Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 74 from 102 balls, while Theekshana finished not out with 27 off 44 balls. Bracewell’s efforts went in vain as he took 4 wickets for just 36 runs in 10 overs.
This was Sri Lanka’s fifth series win in 2024.
