NZ vs SL: All-Round New Zealand Thrash Sri Lanka By 113 Runs In 2nd ODI To Clinch Series Despite Maheesh Theekshana Hat-Trick

A 112-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman followed by William ORourke's fiery three-wicket haul powered New Zealand to a 113-run win in the rain-reduced second ODI at the Seddon Park on Wednesday and clinched the series.

New Zealand's convincing nine-wicket victory in Wellington has given them a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. The team's dominant performance has set the tone for the rest of the series, with the third match scheduled to take place in Auckland on Saturday.

Earlier, New Zealand posted a respectable 255-9 off 37 overs, setting a challenging target for the visiting team.

However, the tourists failed to rise to the occasion, crumbling under pressure to be bowled out for a paltry 142 off 30.2 overs.

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The top order of Sri Lanka has been miserable in the first two matches of this series. They suffered a disastrous collapse during the second match at Seddon Park at 22-4, effectively ruining their chase. With early rain causing the match to be reduced to 37 overs a side, chasing 256 seemed impossible, especially when added to the many woes of Sri Lanka's batting.

Kamindu Mendis was the standout performer for Sri Lanka, scoring a career-best 64 runs off 66 deliveries. However, his valiant effort was ultimately in vain, as he fell victim to a spectacular running catch by Daryl Mitchell off the bowling of Will O'Rourke.

This stunning dismissal sealed Sri Lanka's fate, as they struggled to mount a successful chase. The next highest score for Sri Lanka came from Janith Liyanuage, who contributed 22 runs, but his efforts were not enough to turn the tide.

Earlier, despite the rain-curtailed match, New Zealand managed to put up a competitive total of 255 for 9 in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. After Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field, the hosts were tasked with setting a challenging target in the 37-overs-per-side match.

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Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman played pivotal roles in anchoring New Zealand's innings, notching impressive half-centuries to lay the foundation for their team's total. The duo's 112-run partnership for the second wicket proved to be a game-changer, propelling the hosts to a respectable score that would put pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup.

Ravindra's sparkling 79 off just 63 deliveries was complemented perfectly by Chapman's brisk 62 from 52 balls, as the pair laid the groundwork for a challenging total.

Theekshana ignited a spark in the late stages of the match, achieving a remarkable feat in the process. Theekshana became only the seventh Sri Lankan bowler to claim a hat-trick in One-Day Internationals, dismissing Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, and Matt Henry in quick succession.