Sri Lanka 3-118 (Mahela Jayawardene 43*, Tillakaratne Dilshan 37, Nathan McCullum 1-12) beat New Zealand 6-250 (Ross Taylor 72, BJ Watling 55, Lasith Malinga 2-39) by 14 runs (D/L method)
Sri Lanka made use of the wet conditions and beat the visiting New Zealand as Duckworth/Lewis method was applied in the rain affected encounter of the series.
New Zealand scored 250 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 50 overs and Sri Lanka smashed 118 runs with seven wickets in hand in 22.5 overs.
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his economical bowling spell of 10-39-2.
The first T20 and the initial One Day International of the series were won by rain which constantly disturbing the matches.
The second ODI of the ongoing series was played on Sunday, November 4, 2012, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Ross Taylor won the toss for the Kiwis and opted to bat first but lost their opener, Tom Latham, at 17 in 6.3 overs. BJ Watling got together with Rob Nicol who was dropped earlier in the third over by Angelo Mathews off Lasith Malinga. The batsmen found it hard to negotiate with the excellent bowling spell of the Lankan Lions bowlers. They added 10 runs in the 14th over with 2 fours and the much awaited first fifty of the innings was scored in the 15th over.
The duo continued creeping without losing any further wicket as Watling got 2 fours in the 25th over and the hundred of the innings appeared on board on the second ball of the 27th over. Rob Nicol was caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara off Thisara Perera for 46 from 74 balls with 3 fours. Ross Taylor dropped in the centre next as BJ Watling achieved his fourth ODI fifty in the 31st over. The third wicket took the score to 130 in 33.3 overs when Walting was gone for 55 off 86 with 6 fours.
James Franklin was the new batsman in and he provided able assistance to his skipper who was playing a smooth innings at the other end. Taylor attained his 21st ODI half century in the 43rd over and accelerated the run rate by dispatching a couple of sixes in the 44th and 45th over. Ross Taylor was caught at cover by Angelo Mathews off Nuwan Kulasekara for 72 off 62 with 2 sixes and 7 fours. James Franklin remained unbeaten for 35 as the Black Caps reached 250 with four wickets in hand at the end of the 50th over.
Lasith Malinga was the top wicket taker with two whereas Nuwan Kulasekara, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Rangana Herath shared one wicket each.
The innings of the Islanders was opened by Upul Tharanga and the prominent batsman, Tillakaratne Dilshan. The latter decided to attack while the first kept his cool by securing his end and they scored 17 runs in the first four overs. Tharanga was caught behind by the wicketkeeper Watling off Kyle Mills for six runs and the formidable Kumar Sangakkara came in the park. The play was interrupted by rain after seven overs at 7.20 pm and commenced again at 8.05 pm.
The home side lost Sangakkara soon after the play resumed at 39 when he had scored 11 runs. The captain of Sri Lanka, Mahela Jayawardene, joined in next with Dilshan and kept the score board moving under a threatening weather. They accumulated 10 runs in the 17th over with 2 fours and enhanced the total to 98 in 18.2 overs as Tillakaratne Dilshan was caught at midwicket by Kane Williamson off Nathan McCullum for a patient knock of 37 from 51 balls with 5 fours.
The play was finally called off after the fifth ball of the 23rd over was bowled when the Islanders had scored 118 runs for the loss of three wickets. Mahela Jayawardene stood firm for 43 off 49 with 5 fours and Angelo Matthews was at the other end at seven runs.
Kayle Mills, Trent Boult and Nathan McCullum were the only successful bowlers with one wicket each.
The fate of the match was decided on Duckworth/Lewis method, Sri Lanka clinched the victory by 14 runs and they lead the five ODI series 1-0.
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