Sri Lanka go 2-0 up over BlackCaps in ODI series

By Fathima Zanaida

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by seven wickets after Duckworth-Lewis Method calculations in yet another rain-affected match played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Former skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was the star of the show for the home side as the opening batsman struck an unbeaten hundred to guide Sri Lanka to an impressive victory.

Sri Lanka’s new Twenty20 skipper Angelo Mathews also redeemed himself in the One-dayers with gutsy unbeaten half century as Sri Lanka chased down their target with 11 balls to spare for the loss of only three wickets.

Batting first, New Zealand scored 188 for six from 33 overs after rain once again forced officials to reduce the size of the match.

Opening batsman BJ Watling stepped up his game and scored 96 not out form 88 balls hitting 12 boundaries but he largely lacked support from the other batsmen as Rob Nicol (7 from 16), Brendon McCullum (13 from 25), skipper Ross Taylor (7 from 16 – 1 four), Jacob Oram (2 from 4), and Kane Williamson (5 from 6), all failed to help the side get a respectable total.

Jeevan Mendis took two wickets for 34 runs while Lasith Malinga (1/40), Nuwan Kulasekara (1/45), and Angelo Mathews (1/15) grabbed one wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka were given the target of 197 runs from 33 overs after applying the Duckworth-Lewis Method which looked a little stiff for the second-batting side.

Sri Lanka lost Upul Tharanga (10 from 13 – 2 fours), Kumar Sangakkara (15 from 27), and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (5 from 6) early in the run-chase but Tillakaratne Dilshan (102 not out from 95 – 12 fours, 1 six) kept his fight alive and found perfect partner in Angelo Mathews (54 not out from 47 – 7 fours).

Dilshan and Mathews added 127 runs for the fourth wicket from 98 balls which proved the difference between the two sides as New Zealand once again couldn’t seal the deal despite of coming close to that elusive victory in Sri Lanka.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant unbeaten knock of 102 runs.

The series now moves to Hambantota where the two teams will play the final two One Day Internationals on November 10 and 12.