Sri Lanka beats New Zealand in 2nd ODI to win another home series

Sri Lanka beats New Zealand in rain-hit second ODI, Mendis shines with unbeaten 74; Sri Lanka leads series 2-0.

Kusal Mendis hit a patient 74 not out as Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by three wickets under the DLS method with six balls remaining on Sunday (November 17, 2024) in the rain-hit second ODI.

Sri Lanka took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with the final game also at Pallekele on Tuesday (November 12, 2024). Sri Lanka won the first one-day international by 45 runs — also by DLS — after rain disrupted that game at Dambulla.

It was Sri Lanka’s fifth ODI series win at home in 2024 after it had beaten Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, India and West Indies. Sri Lanka couldn’t qualify for next year’s Champions Trophy after finishing ninth at last year’s 50-over World Cup in India, but has since then lost just one ODI series in Bangladesh while winning five at home.

“It is really tough for batters to score runs here,” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said. “This is just another series. As a team, we are moving towards a big goal and we have to achieve that, this is a process.”

Mendis followed his career-best 143 in the series opener with a determined 102-ball knock as Sri Lanka reached 210-7 in 46 overs.

The match was cut to 47 overs-a-side after two rain interruptions when New Zealand batted and was bowled out for 209 in 45.1 overs. Sri Lanka was set a target of 210.

Off-spinner Michael Bracewell’s first four-wicket ODI haul (4-36) gave New Zealand a sniff when Sri Lanka slipped to 163-7 before Maheesh Theekshana (27 not out) shared a match-winning 47-run stand with Mendis and carried the team home.