Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Janith Liyanage powered Sri Lanka to an imposing total of 290 with their fluent half-centuries. The bowlers, led by a fiery new-ball spell from Asitha Fernando, then dismantled New Zealand’s chase, securing a comprehensive 140-run victory. Rapid fifties from Nissanka, Mendis, and Liyanage laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s commanding […]
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Janith Liyanage powered Sri Lanka to an imposing total of 290 with their fluent half-centuries. The bowlers, led by a fiery new-ball spell from Asitha Fernando, then dismantled New Zealand’s chase, securing a comprehensive 140-run victory.
Rapid fifties from Nissanka, Mendis, and Liyanage laid the foundation for Sri Lanka’s commanding total, while Fernando’s electrifying opening spell left New Zealand reeling and unable to recover.
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Asitha Fernando’s sensational new-ball spell swung the match decisively in Sri Lanka’s favor. Swinging the ball prodigiously, he claimed 3 for 17 in his opening five overs, leaving New Zealand reeling at 22 for 5 by the seventh over in pursuit of 291. Despite Mark Chapman’s valiant run-a-ball 81, the visitors never recovered, collapsing to 150 all out inside 30 overs. Sri Lanka’s dominant performance ensured a 140-run victory in the third one-sided game of the series, with New Zealand having won the previous two.
Although Asitha’s final figures of 3 for 26 weren’t flawless due to occasional lapses in line, his spell showcased some breathtaking deliveries. Notably, the ball that uprooted Rachin Ravindra’s leg stump was a gem, angling across the left-hander before tailing in sharply to pierce the gap between bat and pad. Asitha’s seventh over was pivotal, as he removed Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips for ducks, cementing New Zealand’s disastrous start. His ability to extract more swing than any other bowler on the day made him the standout performer.
At the other end, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga delivered crucial blows, dismissing Will Young and Daryl Mitchell respectively. All three bowlers—Asitha Fernando, Theekshana, and Malinga—claimed three wickets each, though Asitha’s figures stood out for their brilliance. Malinga showcased disciplined lines with subtle swing, while Theekshana extracted sharp turn from a pitch that had earlier favored New Zealand’s spinners. Among them, Matt Henry was the most threatening, with a stellar 4 for 55, including three late wickets, though his control through the middle overs was equally vital.
Sri Lanka’s dominant 140-run victory was built on strong batting foundations, particularly from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Nissanka smashed an aggressive 66 off 42 balls, reaching his fifty off just 31 deliveries before a hamstring injury forced him to retire at the end of the 10th over. He returned in the 34th over, hitting five sixes and six fours despite being hampered in his movement. Mendis stepped up with a fluent 54 off 48 balls, stabilizing the innings during the middle phase with two sixes and five fours, all scored after the powerplay restrictions. Their contributions ensured Sri Lanka posted a formidable 290, setting the stage for the bowlers to seal the win.
Both Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis fell to wide, turning deliveries from Mitchell Santner while attempting ambitious heaves over deep midwicket. Santner played a key role in stalling Sri Lanka’s momentum during the middle overs. At 155 for 1 after 27 overs, with Nissanka retired hurt, Sri Lanka seemed set for a mammoth total. However, they lost three wickets for just 28 runs over the next seven overs, as Santner and the New Zealand bowlers tightened the screws.
Sri Lanka’s recovery was orchestrated by Janith Liyanage, who crafted a composed 53 off 52 balls. His clever knock, featuring five boundaries—including two sixes—shepherded the lower-middle order and ensured Sri Lanka batted through their 50 overs, finishing at 290. Despite a valiant effort from Mark Chapman, who struck ten boundaries—mostly through the off-side—in a confident 81 off 81 balls, New Zealand never recovered from Asitha Fernando’s devastating new-ball spell. The early collapse left them with no realistic chance of chasing the target, sealing Sri Lanka’s comprehensive 140-run win.
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