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Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana stole the spotlight on Wednesday with a sensational hat-trick as New Zealand posted 255/9 in a rain-shortened second one-day international at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
The tourists, chasing 256 off 37 overs to keep the three-match series alive, will draw confidence from Theekshana’s late heroics, which stalled a New Zealand innings that had threatened to surpass 300.
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The match began more than two hours late due to rain, reducing each side’s innings to a maximum of 37 overs. New Zealand capitalised on the truncated format early, with opener Rachin Ravindra smashing 79 off 63 balls and Mark Chapman adding 62 off 52. The duo shared a brisk 112-run stand for the second wicket, setting the platform for a daunting total.
However, Sri Lanka clawed back in the latter stages, thanks to Theekshana’s decisive spell of 4/44. The off-spinner’s hat-trick began at the end of the 35th over when he dismissed Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith off consecutive deliveries, both falling to mistimed lofted shots.
The hat-trick was completed with the first ball of the final over when Matt Henry succumbed to another mistimed stroke, caught in the deep. Theekshana’s efforts capped off an impressive bowling display that also included the key wicket of Chapman, who holed out to long-off earlier in the innings.
Scorecard: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka contributed to the fightback with a brilliant catch at short cover to dismiss Ravindra off leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (2/39). New Zealand’s middle-order struggled for fluency thereafter, with Daryl Mitchell’s 38 off 38 balls being the only significant contribution.
Both teams made one change from the first ODI, which New Zealand won convincingly by nine wickets. Theekshana replaced seamer Lahiru Kumara for Sri Lanka, while veteran wicketkeeper Tom Latham returned for New Zealand in place of Mitchell Hay.
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