HAMILTON, New Zealand — Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman showcased their batting prowess by forming a crucial 112-run partnership for the second wicket during the second one-day international against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Their performances contributed significantly to New Zealand’s 113-run victory, securing a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Ravindra scored an impressive 79 runs off 63 balls, while Chapman added 62 runs from 52 deliveries, as the Kiwi team posted a total of 255-9 after being invited to bat first. The match faced interruptions due to rain, leading to a reduction in overs to 37 for each side.
In a remarkable feat, Maheesh Theekshana became the seventh player from Sri Lanka to achieve an ODI hat trick, dismissing Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, and Matt Henry in successive deliveries over two overs late in the New Zealand innings.
Sri Lanka’s innings began poorly, collapsing to 22-4. However, Kamindu Mendis stepped up to score a career-best 64 runs before the team was bowled out for 142 in just 30.2 overs. Mendis formed vital partnerships, first adding 57 runs for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage (22) and then 47 runs with Chamidu Wickramasinghe (17), both important contributions that were ultimately halted by a second run-out for the team.
The New Zealand bowlers posed a challenge for the Sri Lankan batsmen with their pace and bounce, leading to a required run rate ballooning to nearly 15 by the end of the innings. The game’s start was delayed by two hours because of rain and a damp outfield. When Sri Lanka won the toss, they opted to bowl on a green pitch at Seddon Park, anticipating the likelihood of more rain.
New Zealand faced an early setback as Will Young fell for 16 runs and they were at 31-1 when Chapman joined Ravindra at the crease. The duo guided their team to a solid position, reaching a 50-run partnership in 44 balls and a century partnership in just 79 deliveries. They skillfully rotated the strike, effectively targeting gaps on the onside. Ravindra displayed his form with a superb straight drive early in his innings.
“I think it’s a nice natural tempo to go out there and play cricket shots, even in the shortened game,” Ravindra mentioned, expressing his enjoyment of the ODI format. He added, “It’s a format I grew up watching and I think it suits the way I bat.”
Ravindra’s performance indicated his return to form, having previously scored 69 from 38 balls in the third T20 of the series and 45 from 36 balls in the series opener, which New Zealand won comfortably by nine wickets. On Wednesday, he found his rhythm, hitting nine boundaries and a six, while Chapman confidently struck five fours and two sixes in a solid display at No. 3. Both batsmen achieved their half-centuries by launching sixes, with Ravindra sending one over the boundary off Wanindu Hasaranga, and Chapman following suit off Eshan Malinga.
Following the dismissals of Ravindra and Chapman, New Zealand lost some momentum. Daryl Mitchell contributed 38 runs, Glenn Phillips scored 22, and Mitchell Santner managed 20 runs, but the team struggled to regain control over the bowling attack. The final match of the ODI series is scheduled for Saturday in Auckland.
