New Zealand's Maddy Green smashes century and Hannah Rowe takes four wickets to seal series win

After the rain-affected first ODI in Napier ended without a result, the two teams faced off again at Saxton Oval under improved conditions. New Zealand captain Suzie Bates won the toss and chose to bat first, but the home side quickly encountered difficulties. Bates was run out for a mere five runs in the fourth over, and the situation worsened with the rapid dismissals of Emma McLeod and Brooke Halliday, both falling victim to the bowling of Achini Kulasuriya and Chamari Athapaththu. Georgia Plimmer's exit after scoring 28 left New Zealand in a precarious position at 59 for 4 after 18 overs.

Green, however, anchored the innings brilliantly. She built a crucial 51-run partnership with Isabella Gaze for the sixth wicket, stabilizing the innings. Contributions from the lower-middle order further strengthened New Zealand's total Jess Kerr scored 38 off 44 balls, while wicketkeeper Polly Inglis struck a brisk 34 off 21 balls not out, including five boundaries.

Green remained the backbone of the innings, bringing up her century off 109 balls. She had been in outstanding form in the domestic One-Day Cup, scoring 125 and 126 in two of her last three matches, and carried that confidence into this game. New Zealand finished strongly, adding 84 runs in the final ten overs to post 245/7. Green was run out on the last ball while attempting an extra run, but her knock had already laid a strong foundation.

Sri Lanka's chase got off to a shaky start as Bree Illing removed captain Athapaththu for 11 in the fifth over. Rowe then struck in the eighth over, dismissing opener Vishmi Gunaratne to put New Zealand firmly in control.

Harshitha Samarawickrama, continuing her fine form from the first ODI where she scored an unbeaten 66, fought back with another half-century. Her 68-run stand with Kavisha Dilhari offered Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope. However, back-to-back wickets from Eden Carson and Illing in the 22nd and 23rd overs halted their momentum.

At 101/4, Sri Lanka needed Samarawickrama to anchor the chase, but she fell for 58, giving Rowe her second wicket. From there, the innings unraveled quickly. Nilakshika Silva was trapped lbw by Bates, and Anushka Sanjeewani was run out by Kerr. Rowe returned to claim two more wickets, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 31. Carson wrapped up the innings in the 47th over, sealing a comprehensive victory for New Zealand.

With the series already in the bag, the White Ferns will look to complete a clean sweep in the final ODI, scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

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