Kerr and Devine tons lead New Zealand fightback to draw level

After a loss in the first ODI, New Zealand fought back with vengeance in the second via centuries from Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine to beat Sri Lanka by 116 runs and draw level in the three-match series in Galle.

Kerr and Devine added 229 for the third wicket, the third-most for New Zealand for any wicket and the best in a women’s ODI in Sri Lanka. While Kerr scored 108, Devine finished with 137 off just 121 balls, hitting 17 fours – the joint-most by a batter in an ODI innings in Sri Lanka – and two sixes.

Opting to bat first again, New Zealand lost Suzie Bates early but were back on track when Kerr added 50 for the second wicket with Bernadine Bezuidenhout. At 57 for 2 after ten overs, Devine joined Kerr in the middle and the pair ran the Sri Lankan bowlers ragged. Kerr slammed her second century at No. 3 off just 98 balls while Devine took 108 to get to hers a few balls later.

Offspinner Oshadi Ranasinghe, who finished with three wickets, broke the partnership with the wicket of Kerr and experienced left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani then dismissed Devine in the next over. New Zealand then added only 35 off the last 34 balls to finish on 329 for 7.

Sri Lanka’s challenge in the chase was nipped in the bud as seamer Lea Tahuhu, who finished with 4 for 31, picked up three wickets inside first eight overs. Only allrounder Kavisha Dilhari stood to be counted for Sri Lanka with her maiden international half-century. She finished on 84 and was the second last batter out for the hosts. But the damage actually was done way earlier.

The last ODI of the series will be played on July 3.

Brief scores :

New Zealand 329 for 7 (Sophie Devine 137, Amelia Kerr 108, Oshadi Ranasinghe 3-68) beat Sri Lanka 213 (Kavisha Dilhari 84, Lea Tahuhu 4-31) by 116 runs