After a 2-1 loss in the Test series to England, New Zealand bounced back in a T20 series against Sri Lanka. The Blackcaps showed resilience in the opening T20, edging out the visitors by just 8 runs. The second T20 saw a more controlled effort, as New Zealand secured another win, winning the series with a game to go.
In the first T20, New Zealand edged out Sri Lanka by just 8 runs in what proved to be the closest encounter of the series. Batting first, New Zealand found themselves at 65/4 after 9.4 overs. However, Daryl Mitchell’s gritty 62 and Michael Bracewell’s fluent 59 led a vital recovery, steering New Zealand to a competitive 172/8 by the innings break.
Sri Lanka came charging out of the blocks, racing to 120/0 after 13 overs. However, the breakthrough came when Jacob Duffy, named Man of the Match, made his mark. After bowling his full 4-over spell, Duffy finished with 3/21, including the key wicket of opener Kusal Mendis for 46. Duffy’s efforts shifted the momentum in New Zealand’s favour, with Matt Henry (2/28) and debutant Zachary Foulkes (2/41) also playing vital roles in restricting Sri Lanka’s chase who lost 8/43, as the Blackcaps clinched victory.
New Zealand’s batting was steadier in the second T20, with Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra combining for 82 runs, helping the Blackcaps reach 186/5 by the end of their innings. Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 187, got off to a strong start, reaching 127/4.
However, the hero of the first game, Jacob Duffy, continued his excellent form, finishing with 4/15 from 4 overs. He was well-supported by Matt Henry and captain Mitchell Santner, who each claimed two wickets. Their combined efforts helped New Zealand defend their total, as Sri Lanka fell short, and the Blackcaps secured a 45-run victory.
In the third and last T20, Sri Lanka found victory after a superb batting performance by Kusal Perera who's match winning 101, made Sri Lanka favourites to win after posting 218/5. Hope of a kiwi comeback was lived by Rachin Ravindra's 69, and Tim Robinson's 37, but in the end Sri Lanka won the match by 7 runs.
Man of the Match went to Jacob Duffy, which was very well deserved whose bowling figures where 8/66 for the series.
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