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Maddy Green played an excellent innings of 100 off 109 in the second WODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Saxton Oval to help the hosts claim a huge 78-run win. Batting first after winning the toss, the Kiwi team lost four wickets at a score of 59. In the crunch situation, Green and Izzy Gaze stitched a 51-run stand to help their side recover from the poor start. Gaze lost her wicket to spinner Kavisha Dilhari after scoring 19 off 33 but Green stood in the middle and displayed fighting spirit with her bat.
The 32-year-old also built crucial partnerships with Jess Kerr and Polly Inglis to help her team reach 245/7. Green notched up her second hundred and her innings was studded with seven fours. Her batting effort emboldened New Zealand bowlers’ confidence as they removed Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne in quick succession. Following the departure of both batters, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Dilhari built a 68-run partnership and gave tough time to the White Ferns. However, Eden Carson broke into the scene and handed the breakthrough to her team with Dilhari’s scalp. Sri Lanka didn’t look stable against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and capitulated to 167 in 46.4 overs.
Hannah Rowe bagged a four-wicket haul for New Zealand
Hannah Rowe did a superb job for the Kiwi team and complemented Green’s brilliant work in the first innings. She scalped four wickets which included the crucial scalps of Gunaratne and Samarawickrama. The pacer concluded her spell with 4/31 figures in 10 overs.
New Zealand’s victory means Sri Lanka will have to win the third WODI at the same venue to prevent the hosts from clinching the series. Following the WODI competition, both teams will contest against each other in a three-match WT20I series which will be played from March 14 to 18.
