NZ v SL 2nd ODI Review: Bowlers, Guptill trash Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka entered the 2nd ODI knowing their reputation was also at stake after being hammered in the first match. However, the home side was in no mood to give an inch and completed yet another dominating performance. Choosing to bat first proved a horrendous decision for the visitors at they were blown away by the Kiwi bowlers. What further dented their confidence was the manner in which opener Martin Guptill destroyed their listless bowlers.

Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan took seven cheap wickets between them as the islanders were bundled out for 117. New Zealand’s attack was probing and well-disciplined. Adam Milne was left out with a bruised heel, meaning three frontline fast bowlers were out of action for the hosts, yet they dismissed the opposition inside 28 overs. Henry was fast and incisive again, taking 4 for 33. McClenaghan got good carry bowling a shorter length and claimed 3 for 32.

Sri Lanka’s openers appeared to have embraced an aggressive approach but soon perished against a top class bowling unit. Tillakaratne Dilshan was caught at first slip after he charged at Henry while Danushka Gunathilaka smashed an over-pitched delivery to the right of cover, where Mitchell Santner took a spectacular diving catch. Lahiru Thirimanne hit a wide McClenaghan ball straight to the third man, as 3 wickets were lost inside the power-play.

Angelo Mathews was looking good on 17 off 22 balls however awkwardly fended at a McClenaghan ball at his ribs, then next delivery, gloved a catch to the wicketkeeper. At his dismissal, Sri Lanka was 56 for 5 off 15 overs. Milinda Siriwardana hit a short delivery straight to point and Chamara Kapugedara was run out after a horrible mix-up. Nuwan Kulasekara played some fine strokes but quickly ran out of partners as the tail surrendered as meekly as the batsmen. He was the last man out after top scoring a 24-ball 19, blasting another ball to cover where Tom Latham took a sharp catch above his head.

Watch: Martin Guptill’s ballistic 30-ball 93

Guptill hammered Kulasekara’s first delivery in the second over of the innings high over long-on and announced his intentions. He continued to launch every bowler Sri Lanka used. Chameera went for 27 in one over, where Guptill first deposited the bowler behind the sightscreen and then carved him over the rope between third-man and point. He missed the world record for fastest fifty due to a yorker by Kulasekara. With the score already 71 off five overs, Vandersay came into the attack on debut and had five deliveries spanked to the fence.

The innings was almost a blur as he smoked eight sixes and nine fours. His fifty off 17 balls is a New Zealand record. He might have threatened AB de Villiers’ fastest hundred – off 31 balls – had Sri Lanka got a few more runs for him to chase. He finished unbeaten with a destructive 93 off 30 balls while Latham faced 20 balls for his 17. The visitors will need a miraculous comeback to have a say in this series.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka– 117/10 in 27.4 overs (Kulasekara 19; Henry 4/33)

New Zealand– 118/0 in 8.2 overs (Guptill 93*)

Man of the match– Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

Twitter Reactions: Martin Guptill lifts New Zealand to massive win