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Patna : New Zealand (NZ) beat Sri Lanka (SL) by 21 runs in the 2nd ODI at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, on January 5, 2019, to win the three-match ODI series with one match still to go. Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera, 29, was named Player of the Match for his brilliant 140 in only 74 balls with 8 fours and 13 sixes. NZ now lead the 3-match series 2-0
Electing to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand scored 319/7 in 50 overs with opener Colin Munro scoring 87 (run out) in 77 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes, Ross Taylor scoring 90 (run out) in 105 balls with 4 fours and a six, and James Neesham scoring 64 (run out) in 37 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Captain Kane Williamson was out for just 1 run while opener Martin Guptil scored 13. Henry Nicholls scored 32 in 38 balls with 3 fours while wicketkeeper Tim Seifert was run out for 22 with a six and a four. Four New Zealand batsmen : Munro, Taylor, Neesham, and Seifert, were run out in the match. For Sri Lanka, fast bowler Lashith Malinga took 2/45 while Nuwan Pradeep took 1/59.
Chasing a target of 320, Sri Lanka were all out for 298 with opener Danushka Gunathilaka scoring 71 in 73 balls with 9 fours and Thisara Pere, coming at Number 7, scoring a whirlwind 140, his first ODI ton, hitting the bowlers for 13 sixes. Perera was used to batting at Number 8 & 9. Thisara Perera was out to a superb catch by Trent Boult. Opener & wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella scored 9 while Kusal Mendis was out for 20. Kusal Perera was out for 4 while Dinesh Chandimal made 3. Lashith Malinga scored 17 with 2 fours. Asela Gunaratne was run out for 6.
For New Zealand, spinner Ish Sodhi took 3/55 while Mat Henry took 2/52. James Nisham took 2/ 48. Trent Boult and Tim Southee took one wicket each.
NZ captain Williamson said after the match that Perera played outstandingly well.