Trailing 1-0, Sri Lanka finds itself in a do-or-die position. To stay alive in the series, they must address their batting vulnerabilities and find a way to counter New Zealand’s seam attack.
The cricketing world is exciting as New Zealand and Sri Lanka gear up for the second ODI of their ongoing three-match series. With the match scheduled for January 8, 2025, at Seddon Park, Hamilton, fans are eager to witness whether Sri Lanka can bounce back or if New Zealand will clinch the series with another dominant performance.
The series opener at the iconic Basin Reserve was a testament to New Zealand’s supremacy on home ground. Bowling first, the Kiwis demolished Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, with Matt Henry leading the charge. His genius spell of 4/19 ensured that Sri Lanka could only muster 178 runs before being bowled out.
Despite valiant efforts from Avishka Fernando, who notched up a gritty half-century, and contributions from Janith Liyanage (36) and Wanindu Hasaranga (35), Sri Lanka’s batting lacked the depth to challenge the Kiwi attack.
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New Zealand’s pursuit was clinical. Openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on a 93-run partnership, establishing a solid foundation. While Ravindra departed for 45, Young remained unbeaten on 90, steering his side to a comfortable 9-wicket win with 142 balls to spare. The emphatic victory handed New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the series.
Seddon Park: A Bowler’s Playground
The second ODI at Seddon Park promises a riveting competition. Known for its bowler-friendly conditions, particularly aiding seamers, the pitch could challenge batsmen early on. However, as the match progresses, the surface is expected to become more conducive to batting, setting the stage for an interesting battle.
Weather Forecast
The weather in Hamilton is expected to be breezy and mostly cloudy, with temperatures varying between 25°C and 12°C. A 25% chance of rain looms, which could impact team strategies.
Where to Watch NZ versus SL 2nd ODI Live
Fans across the globe can catch the live action via various platforms:
India
TV Broadcast: Sony Sports Network
Online Streaming: SonyLiv app, Fancode, and Amazon Prime Video
Srilanka
TV Broadcast: SLRC Channel Eye, Ten Cricket, Dialogue, Supreme TV, IPTV
Online Streaming: Dialog Viu app
New Zealand
TV broadcast: sky sports
Online Streaming: TVNZ+, Sport Nation, The ACC
other regions
UK: TNT Sports
US: ESPN+
Canada: ATN
Sub-Saharan Africa: Supersport
Key players to watch
new zealand
Matt Henry: Fresh off a stellar four-wicket haul, Henry will look to exploit Seddon Park’s unfavorable conditions for bowlers.
Will Young: After his unbeaten 90 in the first ODI, Young is in transcendent form and could anchor another successful chase.
Sri Lanka
Avishka Fernando: The opener remains a key player for Sri Lanka, and his ability to counter New Zealand’s pace attack will be vital.
Wanindu Hasaranga: Both with the bat and ball, Hasaranga has the potential to turn the game in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Could Sri Lanka Bounce Back?
Trailing 1-0, Sri Lanka finds itself in a do-or-die position. To stay alive in the series, they must address their batting vulnerabilities and find a way to counter New Zealand’s seam attack. On the other hand, the hosts will aim to replicate their dominance and secure a series victory.
