Twitter Reactions: Adam Milne, Tim Seifert star in New Zealand's thumping series-leveling victory

Following a narrow defeat against Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener in Auckland, the Kiwis bounced back in style to dish out a chastening defeat to the visitors in the second match of the series in Dunedin. Adam Milne's searing fast bowling spell restricted Sri Lanka to a below-par total in the first innings, and Tim Seifert's explosive half-century sealed an emphatic series-levelling victory for the Blackcaps.

Sri Lanka were put into bat first in the contest after Tom Latham called it right at the toss in the decisive second match of the series. The visitors, who claimed a nail-biting victory in the previous encounter, lost openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka in a frenetic start. Following those two initial blows, the pair of Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva steadied the innings with a brisk 62-run stand.

However, catastrophe struck for the Asian outfit when both the set batters departed within two overs as New Zealand clawed their way back into the contest. But it got worse for the Lankans in a chaotic half an hour as they lost their last six wickets, scoring just 19 runs in the space of just 22 deliveries. Kiwi speedster Adam Milne was their tormentor-in-chief, returning with spectacular bowling figures of 5/26 in his four overs.

Sri Lanka was blown away by Tim Seifert's blistering half-century

Sri Lankan's below-par total of 141 runs was never going to trouble the Kiwi batters, and it proved to be the case as Chad Bowes handed his side a blistering start in the chase. Bowes smashed 31 runs in just 15 balls to extinguish whatever little hopes Sri Lankan bowlers had to defend the modest total. 

It was the Tim Seifert show from thereon as the 28-year-old batting ace registered a blistering half-century to take his side home in a comfortable victory. He finished things off in style, smashing consecutive maximums against Dhananjaya de Silva as the home side raced over the line with more than five overs to spare.

Lasith Malinga@malinga_ninety9

Few mistakes in all 3 departments cost us this game. The team needs to prepare a lot better for the third game and we can go for a 2-1 series win if we perform to our ability.💪🇱🇰 #NZvSL

10:23 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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ICC@ICC

A dominant display by New Zealand sees them level the T20I series at 1-1 in Dunedin 👏 #NZvSL | 📝 Scorecard: bit.ly/3zza8qK

09:59 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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BLACKCAPS@BLACKCAPS

History today for umpire Kim Cotton who becomes the first female umpire to stand in a men’s international match between two @ICC full member countries 🤝 #NZvSL #CricketNation

07:09 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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BLACKCAPS@BLACKCAPS

A bowling performance to remember 🪄 The ANZ Player of the Match - Adam Milne 👏 #NZvSL #CricketNation

10:31 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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Farid Khan@_FaridKhan

Adam Milne! Pace is pace, yaar 🔥 #NZvSL

07:46 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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CricTracker@Cricketracker

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in the second T20I by 9 wickets to level the series 1-1. #CricTracker #NZvSL

09:39 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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BLACKCAPS@BLACKCAPS

Series levelled in Dunedin! 🏏 An unbeaten 79 from Tim Seifert and a 100-run unbeaten partnership with Tom Latham, leading the team to victory. Catch up on all scores bit.ly/3GmmXsb 🏏 #NZvSL #CricketNation

09:45 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰@OfficialSLC

New Zealand win the 2nd T20I by 9 wickets and level the series 1-1. #NZvSL

09:50 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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Kausthub Gudipati@kaustats

Best bowling figures against Sri Lanka in men's T20Is: 5/26 - Adam Milne🇳🇿 today 5/28 - Oshane Thomas🏝️ in 2020 4/8 - R Ashwin🇮🇳 in 2016 4/12 - Josh Hazlewood🇦🇺 in 2022 #NZvSL

08:48 AM · Apr 05, 2023

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