NZ sweeps ODI series
WHEN a New Zealand batsman can smoke 124 from 80 balls, yet not be the team’s most important contributor, then things are going pretty damn well for the Black Caps.
In what is surely the richest vein of form ever seen by a New Zealand cricketer in one format, Ross Taylor’s 137 anchored the Black Caps at Saxton Oval, before Henry Nicholls bashed his first oneday century as the hosts posted an intimidating 364 for four on their way to a 115run victory.
Once again, Sri Lanka showed more fight with the bat than the ball — Thisara Perera again proved a thorn in the Black Caps side with an entertaining 80 — but the visitors collapsed once he left, as the Black Caps sealed a 30 series sweep.
Taylor was named man of the series, after an innings in which he continued his summer of milestones. For the 20th time in ODI cricket, the helmet came off and the tongue was stuck out as he celebrated yet another oneday century — smiting nine fours and four sixes in his 131ball knock.
The first New Zealander to reach 20 centuries in any format, the 34yearold’s form has been nothing short of remarkable. Since 2018 began, he averages an absurd 92, at a strike rate of 93, and yesterday, Taylor brought up his sixth consecutive 50 — tying the New Zealand record.
While Taylor’s form has been a constant over the past few years, Nicholls has truly blossomed this summer. In tests since November, Nicholls had scored three fifties and two centuries, and he added his maiden ODI century to the mix in a brutal innings.
The Canterbury lefthander brought up his 50 from 44 balls, and needed only 27 more to move through to a ton — the sixthfastest in New Zealand ODI history.
He linked up with Taylor, adding 154, and then bashed a rapid 63 with Jimmy Neesham, but Nicholls was allowed the platform to punish thanks to the earlier accomplishments of Taylor and skipper Kane Williamson.
The Black Caps’ only minor batting issue has been their lack of opening partnerships, and this time neither Martin Guptill nor Colin Munro shone, leaving Williamson and Taylor to join forces at 31 for two.
Taylor was admittedly fortunate early on. He would have been run out on his second ball had the throw been accurate, but ended up earning four overthrows. His next scoring shot was a french cut for four, but that was all the luck he needed.
Williamson and Taylor’s accumulation was helped by more shocking middle order bowling by Sri Lanka. Lakshan Sandakan’s solitary wicket was the only scalp claimed by a Sri Lankan spinner all series, parttimers were easily dispatched, and Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Pradeep went for a combined 170 from 19 overs.
Williamson made 55 off 65 before holing out trying to clear midwicket in a probably unnecessary shot, but Taylor pushed on.
Peppering the leg side with fantastically wristy strokeplay, Taylor brought up his milestone ton off 112 balls, before producing his traditional booming sixes over cow corner.
Sixtyfour runs came through midwicket or longon, and though he was eventually caught on the square leg boundary, Nicholls and Neesham were even more explosive, adding 63 off the last 22 balls to set Sri Lanka another mammoth chase.
As usual, they had their moments. Niroshan Dickwella (46), Dhananjaya de Silva (36) and Kusal Perera (43) all had handy cameos as the New Zealand seam attack took some stick, but steady wickets fell as Williamson (none for 24 from five overs) and Ish Sodhi (three for 40 from 8.4) increased an already challenging required runrate.
Thisara Perera attempted a second miracle, with help again from New Zealand fielders, as Tim Seifert and Taylor shelled chances. However, Guptill showed them how it is done, taking a stunning onehanded catch running backwards from point to end the danger, and end Sri Lanka’s hopes.