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Munro, Taylor shine as BLACKCAPS claim victory

Posted Saturday, 5 January, 2019 in Match Reports

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Another strong batting effort backed up by an impressive spell by Ish Sodhi has ensured the BLACKCAPS have claimed an unassailable 2-0 ODI series lead against Sri Lanka with a 21- run victory tonight at Bay Oval.

The win didn’t come without a few nervous moments however as Thisara Perera blasted an amazing 140 off just 74 balls to take the Sri Lankans so close to an unlikely victory.

Earlier, Ross Taylor (90) played anchor with strong support from Colin Munro (87) as the BLACKCAPS posted 319/7 from their 50 overs.

Munro showed patience at the crease with occasional spurts of destructive power while Taylor was the perfect foil, finding gaps in a traditional one-day innings.

Jimmy Neesham once again showed his power late in the innings, blasting a quick half century (64 off 37) before Tim Seifert finished off with some late blows.

Tim Southee struck an early blow in Sri Lanka’s reply, removing the dangerous Niroshan Dickwella for only nine.

However, the star turn with the ball was Ish Sodhi who accounted for the majority of the visitor’s middle order, claiming three wickets.

Sodhi finished with figures of 3-55, his figures somewhat ruined with his final over going for 20 – once the majority of the bowling damage  had already been done.

Opener Danushka Gunathilaka was the best of the Sri Lankan top order with 71, but the real hero came down the order.

Thisara Perera was in a league of his own - his swashbuckling century included an astonishing 13 sixes as he batted with the tail going desperately close to victory for his side.

The series now heads to Nelson for game three.

AS IT HAPPENED...

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