Kusal the batting hero as Sri Lanka edge past New Zealand by three wickets

Kusal Mendis overcame injury to score a workmanlike half-century that helped Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by three wickets in their rain-shortened second one-day international at Pallekele yesterday and clinch the three-match series 2-0.
Chasing 210 to win, Sri Lanka struggled for partnerships on a turning pitch and were in trouble at 93-5 but Kusal managed a groin issue sustained early in his innings to make an unbeaten 74 off 102 balls that took his side home.
Late cameos by Janith Liyanage (22), Dunith Wellalage (18) and Maheesh Theekshana (27 not out) also eased the nerves of the hosts who were rocked by the spin of Michael Bracewell (4-36).
It was Sri Lanka’s first ODI series victory over New Zealand since 2012 and their fifth bilateral series win of 2024.
Kusal, the Player of the Match, said yesterday: (On his injury) I think a little bit okay, but not bad. It was very hard to bat against the new ball. Pathum started really well and that was very important. I tried to take a chance and take it deep. Dunith, Janith and Maheesh batted really well and supported me. Our spinners bowled really well. In the second half, it was spinning more. Dew came late and that helped more spin. Little hard to bat with my injury and I could not play the sweep (freely) and that is my getaway shot.”
Earlier, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first and were in control with two early wickets but opener Will Young (26) steadied the ship before the match was reduced to 47 overs per side due to two spells of rain.
Mark Chapman (76) and Mitchell Hay (49) then helped New Zealand lay a solid platform but the end of their 75-run stand triggered a collapse and the tourists were bowled out for a modest 209 thanks to some sharp catching by Sri Lanka.
Spinners Theekshana (3-31) and Jeffrey Vandersay (3-46) tightened things up and bamboozled the tourists as the last six wickets fell for only 36 runs.
Asitha Fernando (2-37) took the important wicket of Chapman, who smashed seven fours and three sixes and looked on course for his third ODI century until Avishka Fernando lunged forward in the deep to pull off a blinder.
Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, said yesterday: “It is always a challenge when you are defending a low score. Kusal played the situation very well. we were trying to get the run-rate up but it never got over five. That partnership (between Kusal and Theekshana) at the end took it away, but we also left a few runs out there.”
Sri Lanka won the rain-hit series opener in Dambulla by 45 runs via the DLS method after Kusal and Avishka made centuries. The final game takes place in Pallekele tomorrow.
BRIEF SCORESSri Lanka 210 for 7 (Mendis 74*, Theekshana 27*, Bracewell 4-36) beat New Zealand 209 all out (Chapman 76, Hay 49, Theekshana 3-31) by 3 wickets (47 overs a side)