New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2018-19: Twitter Reacts As Thisara Perera's Century Goes in Vain

Updated - 05 Jan 2019, 04:59 PM

Thisara Perera | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka |
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Thisara Perera’s excellent counter-attacking 140 off just 74 balls went in vain as Sri Lanka fell 21 runs short of New Zealand’s target of 319 in the second one-day international.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka chasing another tough target, Sri Lanka lost Niroshan Dickwella (9) and Kusal Perera (4) early in the innings. But Danushka Gunathilaka launched a counter-attack and led Sri Lanka’s hopes of levelling the series. Kusal Mendis (20) added 49 runs with Gunathilaka for the third wicket, but the former’s dismissal initiated collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose 5/16 to slip to 128/7. Sodhi caused havoc, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal and Seekkuge Prasanna as well.

Thisara played a blistering knock

But Thisara Perera kept the tourists in the game with a 28-ball 50. Perera and Malinga added 75 runs for the eighth wicket in less than 10 overs. Perera continued his assault, to bring up his maiden ODI hundred off just 57 balls – the fastest ODI ton against New Zealand, ever. With 69 needed off eight overs with two wickets in hand, it looked like Sri Lanka do cross the rope with Thisara Perera at the middle. But Boult finally held on to one, running in from long-on as Perera tried to clear the ropes as Sri Lank fell 21 runs short.
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Previously, New Zealand had a more sane approach and finished with a hefty score of 319. Sri Lanka messed up the chase in the middle overs before remarkably recovering in the final stages thanks to Perera to fall inches short. However, the Kiwis lost two wickets at a stretch to be at 39 for two within eight overs.

Since then, Ross Taylor and Colin Munro started to bail the Kiwis out of danger as they shared a 100 plus stand.

Munro was at his usual aggressive self, hitting 12 fours and two sixes in his 77-ball 87 before he was run out, but there was little respite for the Lankans. Henry Nicholls put up another good 57-run stand with Taylor to take New Zealand past 200. Jimmy Neesham, who starred with his all-round performance in the first game, continued in the same way, smashing the bowlers all around the park for five fours and three sixes to collect 67 off just 37 balls. It gave the innings the much-needed finish and pushed the score past 300.

Taylor top scored with 90 off 105 balls while Malinga was the most impressive of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with 2/45 from 10 overs.

Twitter Reactions:

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Thisara Perera