210/7 (46.0)
CR : 4.57
209/10 (45.1)
CR : 4.63
Sri Lanka won by 3 wickets (DLS METHOD) 🏆
Player of the Match
Kusal Mendis
74(102)
Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka): "It's more satisfying to win today because I failed to contribute the last time around and today I did it, and it feels great to contribute to a series victory against New Zealand. At that time they knew they needed a wicket, so they wanted to give a single to Kusal and get me on strike, but my plan was to put the bad balls away and with the field up, I could get the runs easily.
After we bowled, the wicket was really good and once the rain came it got even better. We saw turn in the first over and our plan was to bat till the 30th over without losing many wickets. I played all tough situations today but we have good bench strength with experienced players that can get into the 11 when someone does not do well.
I think it's great, the World Cup in India was a shame for all of us. It was great for us to be back in confidence in Kandy against India and today is another one of those moments."
After we bowled, the wicket was really good and once the rain came it got even better. We saw turn in the first over and our plan was to bat till the 30th over without losing many wickets. I played all tough situations today but we have good bench strength with experienced players that can get into the 11 when someone does not do well.
I think it's great, the World Cup in India was a shame for all of us. It was great for us to be back in confidence in Kandy against India and today is another one of those moments."
This is the first time Sri Lanka have won 5 ODI series in a calendar year (2024) since 2014
2-0 vs Zimbabwe
3-0 vs Afghanistan
2-0 vs India
2-1 vs West Indies
2-0 vs New Zealand, This series* (1 match still remaining)
2-0 vs Zimbabwe
3-0 vs Afghanistan
2-0 vs India
2-1 vs West Indies
2-0 vs New Zealand, This series* (1 match still remaining)
Fact: Kusal Mendis has played 135 innings in ODI cricket. He has played over 100 balls in an innings only 4 times including today, which is the first time, he has not crossed the triple figure mark facing 100 or more deliveries.
This is the first time Sri Lanka have secured a series victory in ODI format over New Zealand in the last 12 years. Their last victory came in December, 2012.
Time for the post match presentation ceremony..
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis (Player of the Match): "I think my injury is a little bit okay. Earlier it was very hard to bat against the new ball. Pathum started it well. I took the chance to take the game little bit deep. Dunith, Maheesh and the guys supported me.
Vandersay and other spinners bowled really well. In the second half, the ball was spinning more. Dew factor came a bit late.
My injury is concerning but I think my batting was to rely a lot on singles and doubles."
Vandersay and other spinners bowled really well. In the second half, the ball was spinning more. Dew factor came a bit late.
My injury is concerning but I think my batting was to rely a lot on singles and doubles."
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): "It's always a challenge when you are defending a low score. Kusal played the situation really well, we tried to get the run rate up but it never went beyond 5s, and we knew we needed to take wickets but the partnership took it away from us towards the end.
We got a lot of spin, I was probably surprised it spun so much in the night. We put ourselves in a good situation and could not get to 240. GP is bowling well and bowling a lot more so that is a positive.
We know it's a challenge to bat here and credit to Sri Lanka, they bowled really well. The nature of the schedule is such at the moment, we have another game in a day's time and we have got to be up for it. Little things we can do better, take it deep at the end with the bat and a few more."
We got a lot of spin, I was probably surprised it spun so much in the night. We put ourselves in a good situation and could not get to 240. GP is bowling well and bowling a lot more so that is a positive.
We know it's a challenge to bat here and credit to Sri Lanka, they bowled really well. The nature of the schedule is such at the moment, we have another game in a day's time and we have got to be up for it. Little things we can do better, take it deep at the end with the bat and a few more."
Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka Captain): "As always I am talking, it is a jounrney, it is just another series. This is a process and we are working towards bigger things.
Little bit yes, to be honest. I misread the pitch. As we thought the dew came but it wasn't as much as we thought. I hope so, Maheesh also likes that (chuckles). (On if Theekshana deserves a promotion in the batting order).
Not so, it is tough for batters to score runs here. (if playing against spin a concern for Lankan batters) If two or three batters settle, it is their job to finish the game. I think we should try our bench strength in the next game. (when asked whether they will look to test others or go for 3-0)."
Little bit yes, to be honest. I misread the pitch. As we thought the dew came but it wasn't as much as we thought. I hope so, Maheesh also likes that (chuckles). (On if Theekshana deserves a promotion in the batting order).
Not so, it is tough for batters to score runs here. (if playing against spin a concern for Lankan batters) If two or three batters settle, it is their job to finish the game. I think we should try our bench strength in the next game. (when asked whether they will look to test others or go for 3-0)."
That marks the end of our coverage from the 2nd ODI of the 3-match series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Sri Lanka have secured an ODI series victory over New Zealand after 12 years. For now, this is Saptak Sanyal signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Ajay Pal Singh and Anirudh Modi and our scorers/analysts Ghanendra Singh Thakur and Yogesh Kumar.