Sri Lanka have won today’s rain shortened encounter against the BLACKCAPS by 14 runs using a Duckworth-Lewis calculation in the second One Day International.
The home side were 118 for three in the 23rd over in reply to New Zealand’s 250 for six, when heavy showers covered Pallekele International Stadium.
Captain Ross Taylor made a superb half century to lead the BLACKCAPS to the highest total by New Zealand against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka made a steady start to their pursuit despite Upul Tharanga getting nicked out by Kyle Mills early for six.
When the score was on 37 for one after seven overs a shower came across the ground, holding up the game up for half an hour, with the vital wicket of Kumar Sangakkara coming three balls after the teams had resumed play. Trent Boult induced the false shot but it was a brilliant diving catch by Rob Nicol at backward point that saw the back of Sri Lanka’s most profile one-day run scorer for just 11.
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene continued on at the required run-rate until Nathan McCullum was introduced with his spin bringing about immediate success. A delivery was tossed up on leg-stump causing set batsman Dilshan (37) to chip directly to mid-wicket, leaving Sri Lanka on 98 for three after 18.2.
However, the crucial wicket was in vain as the weather put an end to any thought of a counter attack with the covers brought out at 9.20pm and the match called off shortly after 10.00pm.
Sri Lanka’s Jayawardene remained unbeaten on 43 not out.
After a sluggish start the New Zealand top order gained some ascendency over the Sri Lankan attack with Rob Nicol and BJ Watling combining for an 83 run stand.
The second wicket partnership was broken in the 27th over by Thisara Perera who had Nicol caught behind for 46. His opening partner was earlier bowled by Lasith Malinga for two.
BJ Watling went on to bring up has half century before hitting Rangana Herath to short-midwicket for 55 while Taylor battled through the onset of a stomach bug to top score with 72 off 62 deliveries.
His brave innings, that included seven boundaries and two sixes, came to end in the 45th over when Mathews took a sharp catch at cover off the bowling of Kulasekara.
Nathan McCullum struck a run-a-ball 16 before holing out in the penultimate over while James Frankin finished on 35 not out. Andrew Ellis was bowled off the final ball of the innings for four.
The wickets were shared between the Sri Lanka attack with Malinga taking two for 39 and Herath economical with one for 28.
The first ODI of the five match series was washed out with the third match played at the same venue on Tuesday.
