On a cloudy afternoon in Pallekele, New Zealand faced Sri Lanka in the second ODI. Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and chose to field, taking advantage of the overcast conditions. The decision paid off as Dunith Wellalage dismissed Kiwi opener Tim Robinson in the second over. The Lankan spinners capitalized further, with Maheesh Theekshana removing Henry Nicholls in the eighth over, leaving New Zealand at 31/2. Rain interrupted play after the ninth over, with Mark Chapman and Will Young at the crease. Following a 34-minute delay, play resumed without any overs lost. The Chapman-Young partnership kept the scoreboard moving, reaching 67/2 in 16 overs. However, Jeffrey Vandersay ended their stand by dismissing Young in the 17th over. Rain struck again, halting the game after 18.1 overs, but play resumed 35 minutes later as officials reduced the match to 47 overs. At 98/3 in 23 overs, Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips looked to steady the innings. Yet, Avishka Fernando’s sharp catch sent Phillips back in the 24th over. Chapman remained composed, reaching his half-century off 65 balls and building a 42-run partnership with Mitch Hay. Asitha Fernando broke the stand in the 37th over, dismissing Chapman for a well-made 76 off 81 balls. In the same over, Fernando also removed Michael Bracewell, further denting New Zealand’s innings. The Sri Lankan bowlers tightened their grip, with Vandersay claiming two quick wickets in the 41st over to reduce New Zealand to 186/8. Despite Hay’s resilience, Theekshana delivered the final blow, dismissing him in the 46th over. New Zealand were bowled out for 209.
Sri Lanka began their chase confidently, with openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando reaching 22/0 in four overs. However, Mitchell Santner provided an early breakthrough, dismissing Fernando in the fifth over. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis steadied the innings, taking the score to 37/1 by the ninth over. Just as the partnership gained momentum, Michael Bracewell removed Nissanka, giving New Zealand a crucial wicket. The middle order struggled, with Kamindu Mendis departing for a first-ball duck. At 51/3 in 12 overs, the pressure mounted on Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka. Bracewell struck again in the 16th over, dismissing Asalanka and further denting Sri Lanka’s chase. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal by Glenn Phillips deepened the hosts’ woes, but Kusal Mendis held firm, partnering with Janith Liyanage to take the score to 127/5 after 30 overs. With 83 runs needed from 17 overs, New Zealand tightened their grip. Nathan Smith broke the partnership by dismissing Liyanage in the 32nd over. Despite the setbacks, Kusal Mendis reached his half-century in 84 balls. Dunith Wellalage injected some life into the chase, hitting three consecutive boundaries in the 34th over to ease the pressure. However, the momentum shifted again as Bracewell returned to dismiss Wellalage in the 37th over, leaving Sri Lanka’s hopes hanging by a thread. Sri Lanka refused to give up, with Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana keeping the chase alive. With 34 runs needed off 40 balls, the game was finely poised. The momentum swung dramatically in Sri Lanka’s favour when Jacob Duffy conceded 15 runs in the 41st over, tipping the scales towards the hosts. As the equation came down to 21 runs from the final six overs, the Lankans looked firmly in control. With just 15 runs required from the last five overs, the home side edged closer to sealing a hard-fought victory. Ultimately, Sri Lanka won the contest by three wickets and won the three-match ODI series 2-0.
Great Batting from Sri Lanka especially from Kusal Mendis, another series win in ODI Cricket, they already defeated India and now it’s time for New Zealand. This is a totally different Sri Lankan team. Congratulations to @OfficialSLC on another series win. 👏
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) November 17, 2024
If Sri Lanka chase this it will be a memorable win for them effort 👏
— Ritik ✍🏻 (@smith___49) November 17, 2024
Guess who
Struggle is real
Sri Lanka is struggling half way, 5 down and 96 more needed to win the 2nd ODI. Thriller is loading 😁#SLvNZ
— Honey Bunny (@hooneybunnny) November 17, 2024
If Sri Lanka chase this down from 66 for 4. I would say the best ODI win in the Charith-Sanath era.
No matter it rains or remains clear.#SLvsNZ— Martin Sathiyanesan (@Martinsince88) November 17, 2024
Solid
A solid effort by Sri Lanka today, despite a few fielding lapses. Bowling New Zealand out for 209 on a decent pitch was outstanding. A win here will take them to No. 5 in ODIs—proof of the incredible progress and hard work put in this year.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) November 17, 2024
The very best
Best figures by NZ spinners vs SL (ODIs) 🇳🇿
– 4/14 – Daniel Vettori, Dambullah, 2003
– 4/36 – Michael Bracewell, Pallekele, 2024*#SLvsNZ #SriLanka #Newzealand #ODIs pic.twitter.com/P69e7zu9cK— 🏏CricketFeed (@CricketFeedIN) November 17, 2024
Maheesh Theekshana finished with figures of 3-31. Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by three wickets. #cricket #ICC #MahindraIndependenceRock #MaharashtraWithDevaBhau #JaiJagannathPrabhu #Rajat #PerthTest #Perth #AshokSinghal #NarayanMurthy #Maulana
— Cricket Bucket (@Cricket_Bucket) November 17, 2024
Going good
#SLvNZ
SL 205/7 (45)
NZ 209 (45.1)
Sri Lanka need 5 runs in 12 balls – Match reduced to 47 overs due to rain
Kusal Mendis 72(100) 6×4 0x6
Maheesh Theekshana 24(40) 2×4 1×6 pic.twitter.com/0qx2hPvxnm— Sasidhar Subramaniyam (@Sasidhar_Sub) November 17, 2024
Challenge accepted
Srilanka tailender Theekshana has batted better than our star batters against the likes of Santner, Philips in equally challenging conditions. pic.twitter.com/Mv3LdM5RMc
— Raazi (@Crick_logist) November 17, 2024
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