Twitter Reactions: Henry Shipley, Will Young propel New Zealand to emphatic series victory against Sri Lanka

New Zealand completed a resounding series victory against Sri Lanka after a comfortable victory against the visitors in the third and final ODI of the series. It was another horrible batting performance by the Asian outfit, which ended their hopes of direct qualification to this year's 50-over World Cup in India.

It was Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka, who won the toss and elected to bat first in the series decider after the second ODI was abandoned due to persistent rain. It was another hapless showing by the Sri Lankan batters as the visitors lost half their side inside the first 20 overs of the match on a lively surface in Hamilton.

Kusal Mendis and Angelo Matthews departed without opening their accounts as the Kiwi pacers ran riot with the new ball. Opener Pathum Nissanka, who registered a fighting half-century, departed in the 24th over to wreck Sri Lanka's hopes of compiling a competitive score on the board. Skipper Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne did show some resistance, but it wasn't enough, as the tourists folded for a modest total of 157 runs.

Will Young's fluent half-century takes his side home after a wobbly start

Chasing a below-par total, the home side got off to a turbulent start as Sri Lankan speedster Lahiru Kumara dismissed both the Kiwi openers in the second over of the chase. New Zelaand's start got worse when skipper Tom Latham's dismissal made it 59/4 inside the first 15 overs of the second innings.

With his side in a perilous position, middle-order batting ace Will Young put on his game face and stitched an invaluable 100-run stand for the fifth wicket with Henry Nicholls to take his side home comfortably. Will Young's unbeaten 86-run knock earned him the player of the match award, while the impressive Kiwi pacer Henry Shipley was named the player of the series for his haul of eight wickets in two matches.

Sri Lanka's defeat ends their hopes of direct qualification for the ODI World Cup later this year. The Asian side will now need to participate in a ten-team tournament to secure their qualification berth, commencing in June later this year.

Here is how Twitter reacted to New Zealand's convincing series victory against Sri Lanka:

ICC@ICC

New Zealand win the ODI series 2-0, as Sri Lanka fail to secure direct qualification for the 2023 @cricketworldcup. Watch the #NZvSL series live on icc.tv (in select regions) 📺 #CWCSL | 📝 Scorecard: bit.ly/NZ-SL-ODI-3

12:47 PM · Mar 31, 2023

1.2K36

CricTracker@Cricketracker

Will Young's brilliant unbeaten knock of 86 seals the three-match ODI series for New Zealand by 2-0. With this series lost, Sri Lanka fail to secure direct qualification for 2023. #CricTracker #SriLanka #NZvSL

01:10 PM · Mar 31, 2023

391

Test Match Special@bbctms

😬😬😬 Sri Lanka will have to go through a qualifying stage to reach October's 50-over World Cup after a six-wicket defeat by New Zealand in Hamilton. Report ⬇️ #BBCCricket #NZvSL

01:33 PM · Mar 31, 2023

111

BLACKCAPS@BLACKCAPS

With series figures of 8-63, the ANZ Player of the Series, Henry Shipley 🏏 #NZvSL #CricketNation

01:02 PM · Mar 31, 2023

649

BLACKCAPS@BLACKCAPS

Henry Nicholls seals the win and a 2-0 series victory! Catch up on all scores at nzc.nz or the NZC app 📲 #NZvSL #CricketNation

12:45 PM · Mar 31, 2023

18414

Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰@OfficialSLC

New Zealand win the ODI series 2-0! #NZvSL

12:48 PM · Mar 31, 2023

5510

CricTracker@Cricketracker

Sri Lanka will fly to Zimbabwe to play in the World Cup Qualifiers. Two out of ten teams will qualify for the ODI World Cup 2023. World Cup 2023 Qualifiers dates - June 18 to July 9 #CricTracker #SriLanka #NZvSL

01:46 PM · Mar 31, 2023

50

Firdose Moonda@FirdoseM

Sri Lanka are headed to the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and Quinton de Kock said South Africa will do everything he can not to join them. For that, SA have to beat Netherlands 2-nil and hope Ireland lose at least once to Bangladesh in May. #cricket espncricinfo.com/story/sa-look-…

01:45 PM · Mar 31, 2023

10

Kausthub Gudipati@kaustats

During this NZ tour, Sri Lanka got eliminated from WTC Final as well as direct qualification to World Cup. #NZvSL

01:01 PM · Mar 31, 2023

343

CricBlog ✍@cric_blog

Sri Lanka on their way to Zimbabwe in June for the ODI World Cup Qualifier by the looks of things. Qualifying is going to be tough with some very capable teams. #NZvSL

09:23 AM · Mar 31, 2023

535