SRI LANKA’S DOMINO EFFECT CONTINUES AS THEY SQUANDER ANOTHER POSSIBLE WIN. – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports Editor)
Sri Lanka showed how easy it is to lose a winnable game when their batting dilemmas came back to haunt them as they crashed to an 8-run defeat to New Zealand in Mount Mauganui.
Chasing a gettable target of 172, Sri Lanka were given a dashing start by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis who raced to 121 in 9.5 overs before their departure saw the familiar domino effect that had them crumble in inexplicable fashion.
Nissanka, 90 off 60 balls and Mendis, 46 off 36 balls, set the tempo for a winning run chase. But their departure at 121, saw the rest totally at sea against a New Zealand pace attack that destroyed the rest. None of the following batters entered double figures in a frustrating run chase with no plan or direction.
How a team, well on target, cannot string together or have a game plan on how to capitalise on an inspiring chase by the openers is mind boggling and certainly escapes comprehension.
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There’s segments of brilliance in the different formats of improved Sri Lankan cricket, but consistency has loomed as its bugbear.
New Zealand were lucky to escape with the win mainly due to stubborn sixth wicket partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell rescued them from a precarious at 5 for 65 to help them to a defendable total.
Two more games to go and seek redemption in the three-match T20 series gives them an opportunity to right the wrongs of game one.
A three-match Monday series follows.
