Twitter Reactions: Kusal Mendis' knock helps Sri Lanka clinch ODI series with second straight win against New Zealand

Sri Lanka and New Zealand continued their ongoing three-game series by facing off in the second ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Sunday, November 17. The clash was a 47-over affair after rain interrupted the game midway a couple of times.

Having won the first ODI, the hosts were aiming for another win to clinch the series, while the Kiwis looked for a chance to keep their hopes alive.

After winning the toss, Charith Asalanka-led side asked the tourists to set a total. New Zealand opened the innings, with Will Young and Tim Robinson scoring 26 and four runs, respectively. Henry Nicholls also walked back in no time after adding eight runs to the board, with the BlackCaps reduced to 69/3 after 17 overs.

With Glenn Phillips (15) also failing to impress the spectators with his batting, the onus was on Mark Chapman and the wicketkeeper batter Mitchell Hay to stabilize the innings for the side.

Chapman contributed with 76 off 81, with Hay missing out on a well-deserved half-century as he departed after adding 49 runs on the board. Both the batters stitched a crucial 75-run stand, which included 11 boundaries and three sixes.

Furthermore, Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith were sent packing for ducks, respectively, while skipper Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi added six and nine runs each, as the New Zealanders were bundled out for 209 runs in the first innings of the game.

As for Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay took three wickets each, with Asitha Fernando chipping in with two wickets.

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Lankans overcome batting collapse to clinch famous win

Meanwhile, aiming to chase down the target, Lankan openers fell early with Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando managing to add 28 and five runs, each.

While Kusal Mendis took care from one side, the hosts lost wickets in tandem from the other end and witnessed a middle-order collapse. Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Sadeera Samarawickrama all contributed to the scorecard with scores of 0,13, and eight, respectively. With Sri Lanka reduced to 93/5 at one point, Kusal kept his cool and played a gritty unbeaten innings of 74 from 102 deliveries. In his knock, he managed to smash six boundaries and guide the team home with valuable contributions from Janith Liyanage (22) and Dunith Wellalage (18).

The hosts chased down the target in 46 overs, winning the game by three wickets with 6 balls to spare. They also clinched the series in the process and will play the final ODI in the pursuit of sweeping the series. 

Here is how X reacted to the second ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand: