Cricket

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will clash in the second ODI of their three-match series on Sunday, November 17, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The hosts, Sri Lanka, hold a 1-0 lead after securing a 45-run victory in the series opener.In the first ODI, Sri Lanka posted a formidable 324-5 in 49.2 overs, thanks to Kusal Mendis' career-best 143 and Avishka Fernando's 100. New Zealand, chasing a revised target of 221 off 27 overs due to rain, fell short at 175-9.New Zealand will be eager to level the series and will look to their experienced players, including captain Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, and Trent Boult, to lead the charge. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory.The match will begin at 02:30 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 02:00 PM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website, as well as the FanCode app and website.Sri Lanka's victory in the first ODI was a significant boost for the team, which has struggled in recent months. Mendis and Fernando's centuries were crucial in setting up the win, while the bowlers, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, performed admirably.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance in the first match. They will need to improve their batting and bowling if they want to level the series.The second ODI promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. Sri Lanka will be confident after their victory in the first match, while New Zealand will be determined to bounce back and level the series.

New Zealand's triumph in the Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last month was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite being considered underdogs, the White Ferns defied expectations and emerged victorious.Craig McMillan, the team's assistant coach, had unwavering faith in his players. "We have worked hard over a period of time, and we know the improvements they've made over the last 12 months," he said. "Sometimes the stars align, but you still have to be good to make the most of those stars aligning."Amelia Kerr was the shining star for New Zealand. The leg-spinning all-rounder, who holds the record for the youngest cricketer to score a double hundred in ODIs, was named player of the final and the tournament. She was the competition's leading wicket-taker and scored a crucial 43 off 38 balls in the final."She bowled beautifully," said McMillan. "In the final, she stepped up when we needed her."Kerr's all-round performance was complemented by contributions from the entire team. "It has always been a strength of New Zealand sides, whether men's or women's — everyone chips in," said McMillan. "Rosemary Mair did a great job with the ball, Lea Tahuhu, who has been around a long time, picked up key wickets."New Zealand's fielding was also exceptional throughout the tournament. "That is so important in the T20 game," said McMillan. "We had only one bad game against the West Indies, but apart from that, against India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and then in the final against South Africa, we took our catches, and that was crucial."The win against India in New Zealand's opening match was particularly significant. "It was a very strong group, as Australia was also there," said McMillan. "And we knew that we probably had to win one of those first two games to actually be able to go through to the next stage. So we really targeted those games. Against India it was almost probably our best performance. It got us off to a great start. And momentum is really important in the World Cup."McMillan believes the team's success was also due to the presence of several all-rounders. "Some of them, like skipper Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are, in fact, double internationals, in hockey and basketball respectively," he said.McMillan emphasizes the importance of playing multiple sports, especially for young athletes. "I think it's really important that not only females, but males too, play as many sports as they can," he said. "I myself played a lot of football up until 18 and then I had to make a decision. I was a tough centre-back. I used to cut strikers down. But I just think you get multi-skilled players when they play other sports. That helps them when they come and have to make a decision at some stage."McMillan is optimistic about the future of women's cricket. "It will get stronger and stronger," he said. "I think even in the last two or three years, you have seen the development, with the WPL and all that. Those franchises play a big part in terms of the development of the players. But we are just seeing some really talented females who are given the opportunity to show how good they are around the world. It is important that it not only grows in Australia, England and India, but in all the countries."

India's shock 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The loss, their first at home in nearly 12 years, has raised questions about India's preparation and mindset.Former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes India underestimated New Zealand, a team they have traditionally dominated at home. "They went into the series thinking they'd whitewash the Kiwis," Lee said. "That's no disrespect to the Kiwis, but India are so powerful on home soil."Lee's comments highlight the complacency that may have crept into the Indian camp. India's recent home record has been impeccable, with their last Test series loss coming against England in 2012. This may have led them to believe that victory over New Zealand was a foregone conclusion.However, New Zealand's spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel proved to be India's undoing. The pair exploited the turning tracks, exposing the Indian batters' vulnerability against spin.Despite the setback, Lee believes India will be motivated heading into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "This is a great learning curve for all out there," he said. "They are going to come in strong."Lee also urged star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hit the "reset button." "When you have a couple of bad runs back-to-back, that's when the pressure could set in," he said. "They need to go back to the drawing board and work on their technique."India's defeat has put their hopes of reaching a third straight World Test Championship (WTC) final in jeopardy. They now need to win the remaining two Tests against Australia to qualify for the final.

Sri Lanka's victory in the first ODI against New Zealand was a testament to their bowlers' resilience and adaptability. Despite a strong start from New Zealand's openers, Sri Lanka's bowlers managed to turn the tide and secure a 45-run victory via the DLS method.Kusal Mendis, who scored a career-best 143, was named Player of the Match. However, it was the bowlers who laid the foundation for Sri Lanka's success. Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Maheesh Theekshana faced a challenging situation after heavy rain during the innings break. The wet ball and outfield made it difficult for them to control the run rate.Theekshana eventually provided the breakthrough with a double-strike in the 14th over, removing both openers. Charith Asalanka then struck in consecutive overs, reducing New Zealand from 88 for 0 to 100 for 4. Asalanka's bowling exploits have become increasingly valuable for Sri Lanka, as he has picked up nine wickets in his last nine ODIs.Sri Lanka's decision to go with just four frontline bowlers was justified by Asalanka's performance. The trio of Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage provides Sri Lanka with flexibility in their bowling options.While the long-term feasibility of this strategy remains questionable, Sri Lanka is currently content with trialing out their current combination. The bowlers' ability to adapt to challenging conditions and execute their plans effectively was crucial in their victory against New Zealand.

New Zealand's recent ODI loss to Sri Lanka in Dambulla may have been a setback, but it provided valuable lessons for the young Kiwi squad. With three debutants in the lineup, the match offered an opportunity to observe and learn from the hosts' mastery of unfamiliar conditions.Michael Bracewell, one of the debutants, emphasized the importance of adapting to the unique challenges of playing in Sri Lanka. "The conditions here are very different from what we face back home," he said. "We need to bank these experiences and learn from them to become better players."Sri Lanka's openers, Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando, showcased their expertise on a sluggish pitch, amassing a 206-run partnership that set the tone for the match. Bracewell acknowledged the significance of partnerships, noting that the Mendis-Fernando duo's contribution "changed the game."Despite a promising start from New Zealand's openers, Will Young and Tim Robinson, the chase faltered after their dismissals. Bracewell, who remained unbeaten on 34, expressed regret over not taking the game on earlier. "I could have taken the game on a little bit earlier," he said. "We didn't quite time the chase very well."The match highlighted the challenges of batting on Sri Lankan wickets, where spin is often dominant. However, Bracewell emphasized that batters can still succeed on such surfaces. "The batters played really well," he said. "We'll have to keep coming up with different answers and throwing different things at the Sri Lankan batters throughout the series."

In a rain-interrupted first One-Day International (ODI) at Dambulla, Sri Lanka secured a convincing 45-run victory over New Zealand, thanks to centuries from Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando.Mendis, 29, struck a career-best 143, while Fernando hit 100 as Sri Lanka posted a commanding 324-5 in 49.2 overs before rain halted play. New Zealand, chasing a revised target of 221 off 27 overs, were restricted to 175-9 in the day-night game.The Kiwis started off confidently with an 88-run stand between openers Will Young and Tim Robinson. However, Maheesh Theekshana triggered a collapse, dismissing both openers in quick succession. From there on, the visitors struggled to keep up with the required run rate, losing wickets in clumps.Earlier, Mendis and Fernando stitched together a 206-run stand for the second wicket, the highest partnership for any wicket at Dambulla in ODIs. Mendis' 128-ball knock was studded with 17 fours and two sixes, while Fernando's 115-ball innings included nine fours and two sixes.Sri Lanka's batters seized control after captain Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first. Opener Pathum Nissanka was dismissed early, but Mendis and Fernando made the most of the conditions. The New Zealand spinners struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen, who kept the scoreboard ticking at over 6.5 runs per over.Rain halted play just one ball into Sri Lanka's innings, causing a 39-minute delay. Downpours returned with four balls left in the Sri Lankan innings.The ODI action will next move to Pallekele where the remaining two games of the series will be played on Sunday and Tuesday.

Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have faced intense scrutiny following their underwhelming performances in the Test series against New Zealand. The duo's struggles with the bat contributed to India's humiliating 0-3 defeat at home.Despite the criticism, former BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma has defended the two batters, highlighting their significant contributions to Indian cricket. Sharma expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back and perform well against Australia."Let's honor and respect what Rohit and Virat have done for the country," Sharma said. "They are never out of form. They are still doing it. Just wait and watch what Rohit and Virat do in Australia. They will dazzle with their bats."India head coach Gautam Gambhir also came to the defense of Kohli and Sharma, criticizing former Australian captain Ricky Ponting for questioning Kohli's place in the Test team. Gambhir emphasized the duo's passion for the game and their desire to achieve more."What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?" Gambhir asked. "Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still passionate about the game and want to achieve more. They are hungry for success and have done exceptionally well for the country over the years."Kohli and Sharma's poor form in the New Zealand series has raised concerns about their future in the Test team. However, Sharma and Gambhir's support suggests that the duo still has the backing of the selectors and the coaching staff.It remains to be seen whether Kohli and Sharma can regain their form and lead India to success in the upcoming Test series against Australia. Their performances will be closely scrutinized as they look to prove their worth and silence their critics.

Sri Lanka's captain, Charith Asalanka, opted to bat first in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Dambulla. Asalanka anticipated the pitch to deteriorate for batting as the match progressed. New Zealand's skipper, Mitchell Santner, expressed indifference towards bowling first, citing the potential for rain and a wet outfield later in the evening.New Zealand introduced three debutants into their lineup: opening batter Tim Robinson, wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay, and seam-bowling allrounder Nathan Smith. Adam Milne, who replaced the injured Lockie Ferguson, was unavailable for selection due to his late arrival in the country. Jacob Duffy and the spin quartet of Ish Sodhi, Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips provided the bowling options.Sri Lanka welcomed back left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka. However, they suffered an injury setback with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out. Jeffrey Vandersay took his place in the XI. The top seven Sri Lankan batsmen offer additional bowling depth, with Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Janith Liyanage capable of contributing overs.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Preview, Team News, and Live UpdatesSri Lanka and New Zealand will lock horns in the first ODI of their three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts will be eager to avenge their recent T20I series defeat against the Kiwis, while the visitors will aim to continue their winning momentum.Team News:New Zealand have suffered a major blow with the absence of star pacer Lockie Ferguson, who has been ruled out due to a leg injury. Adam Milne has been called up as his replacement. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will miss the services of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who is out with a hamstring strain. Dushan Hemantha has been drafted into the squad, but Jeffrey Vandersay is expected to lead the spin attack.Key Players:For Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on captain Dasun Shanaka, who has been in impressive form with the bat in recent times. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will also be crucial to the team's batting success. In the bowling department, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera will be the key threats.New Zealand will rely heavily on their experienced batting lineup, led by captain Kane Williamson. Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips will be the ones to watch out for. With Ferguson out, Trent Boult and Tim Southee will shoulder the responsibility of leading the bowling attack.Match Preview:The first ODI is expected to be a closely contested affair. Sri Lanka will be playing on home soil and will be determined to make a statement. However, New Zealand have a strong team and will be confident of securing a victory. The weather conditions are expected to be favorable for both teams, with no rain forecast.Live Updates:The match will begin at 2:30 PM local time (10:00 AM GMT). Live updates will be available on the official websites and social media channels of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket.