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New Zealand fast bowler Nathan Smith showed unreal athletic skills to dismiss Eshan Malinga during the second ODI against Sri Lanka at Seddon Park. Notably, the Kiwis defeated Sri Lanka by 113 runs to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the ODI series. Chasing a target of 256 runs in 37 overs, Sri Lanka had already lost eight wickets before Nathan Smith took a splendid diving catch on Will O’Rourke’s delivery to give New Zealand a ninth breakthrough and take them closer to the win.
In the last ball of the 29th over of the Sri Lankan innings, Eshan Malinga swings aggressively across the line against Will O'Rourke but ended up getting a top edge of the bat. The ball had still had enough speed to cross the boundary line. However, Nathan Smith didn’t let a small chance to let go of hands and took an unbelievable catch and held the ball midair while taking a long dive. Sri Lanka were nine wickets down in 136 runs after 29 overs.
New Zealand win 2nd ODI by 113 runs, win ODI series 2-0
Talking about the match, New Zealand continued their winning run over Sri Lanka and ended up winning the ODI series by 2-0 with one match still remaining. Batting first, Kiwis posted 255/9 in 37 overs in a rain-affected encounter. Rachin Ravindra was top scorer for New Zealand with a knock of 79(63) runs hitting nine fours and a six, while Mark Chapman also contributed with 62(52) runs with five fours. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theeshana scalped four wickets, Wanindu Hasaranga took two, while Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga scalped a wicket each.
Chasing the winning target, Sri Lanka had poor starts from the top order and middle order and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Kamindu Mendis turned out to be lone warrior for Sri Lanka with a knock of 64(66) runs hitting five fours and three sixes. The visitors were bowled out for 142 runs in 30.2 overs as New Zealand registered a big win to clinch the ODI series. For New Zealand, Will O’Rourke took three wickets, Jacob Dufffy scalped two, while skipper Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Nathan Smith scalped a wicket each.
