NZ Vs SL : Matt Henry Sends Wanindu Hasranga Packing With An Unplayable Yorker In The Third ODI

The third ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, held on January 11, 2025, was a spectacle of contrasting fortunes. On one side, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry delivered a stunning performance with the ball, including an unplayable delivery that left Wanindu Hasaranga and fans awestruck. On the other side, New Zealand’s batting lineup crumbled under relentless pressure, leading to a resounding 140-run defeat that handed Sri Lanka a consolation win in the three-match series.

Matt Henry’s Magic: Dismissing Wanindu Hasaranga with a Jaffa

The highlight of the match came in the 48th over of Sri Lanka’s innings when Matt Henry unleashed a near-perfect delivery to dismiss the dangerous Wanindu Hasaranga. At a crucial juncture, with Sri Lanka eyeing a final flourish to their innings, Hasaranga’s intentions to accelerate were thwarted by a searing yorker from Henry.

The ball, delivered with pinpoint precision and pace, swung in late, sneaking past Hasaranga’s bat to crash into the off stump. The sound of timber was met with a roar from the crowd as Henry celebrated his third wicket of the match. Hasaranga’s brief but impactful innings of 15 off 9 balls, which included a boundary and a six, came to a dramatic end.

This dismissal not only dented Sri Lanka’s hopes of breaching the 300-run mark but also underscored Henry’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.

A Historic Milestone for Matt Henry

Henry’s performance in this match wasn’t just about individual brilliance; it was historic. With his figures of 4/52, Henry reached the 150-wicket milestone in ODIs, becoming the second-fastest New Zealand bowler to achieve this feat in men’s ODIs.

The achievement further cemented his reputation as one of the most consistent and impactful pacers in modern cricket. Throughout the innings, Henry bowled with precision, troubling Sri Lankan batters with his pace, swing, and accuracy.

His efforts were well-supported by Mitchell Santner, who picked up two wickets, and Nathan Smith and Michael Bracewell, who contributed with a wicket each.

Sri Lanka’s Inconsistent Batting Effort

Sri Lanka’s innings of 290/8 was built on moments of brilliance but lacked the consistency needed for a truly commanding total.

Pathum Nissanka’s Unfortunate Exit

The innings began on a bright note as Pathum Nissanka raced to a brisk half-century, scoring 50 off 31 balls, with six boundaries and a six. However, his promising knock was cut short when he retired hurt due to a hamstring injury, leaving Sri Lanka with a void at the top.

The Mendis Partnership

The middle-order pairing of Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis brought stability to the innings with an 87-run partnership for the third wicket. Kusal, known for his flamboyant batting, scored 49 off 55 balls, while Kamindu played a measured knock of 43 off 60 balls.

Lower-Order Struggles

Despite contributions from Janith Liyanage, who scored a composed 53 off 59 balls, Sri Lanka’s lower order failed to capitalize on the momentum. Wickets fell in clusters, and the absence of a strong finish hurt their chances of posting a bigger total.

Henry’s late strikes, particularly the dismissal of Hasaranga, ensured Sri Lanka fell short of the psychological 300-run mark, closing at 290/8.

New Zealand’s Batting Nightmare

If Matt Henry’s bowling performance was the shining light for New Zealand, their batting display was the polar opposite. Chasing 291, New Zealand’s innings imploded, and they were bowled out for just 150 runs in 29.4 overs, handing Sri Lanka a comprehensive 140-run victory.

A Dismal Start

New Zealand’s chase began disastrously as they lost their top five batters for a mere 21 runs in the first six overs. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra fell early, scoring just one run between them, while senior players like Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell failed to open their accounts.

Mark Chapman’s Lone Battle

Amidst the carnage, Mark Chapman stood tall with a valiant knock of 81 off 81 balls, featuring ten boundaries and a six. Chapman’s aggressive yet composed innings kept New Zealand’s faint hopes alive, but the lack of support from the other end meant the task was insurmountable.

Tail-End Resistance

Lower-order contributions were minimal, with Michael Bracewell (13), Nathan Smith (17), and Matt Henry (12) adding brief resistance. However, the relentless pressure from Sri Lanka’s bowlers ensured New Zealand’s innings folded meekly.

Sri Lanka’s Bowling Masterclass

Sri Lanka’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, exploiting New Zealand’s weaknesses with precision.

Maheesh Theekshana: The mystery spinner was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/31 in his seven overs. His variations kept the Kiwi batters guessing, and he accounted for key wickets at crucial stages.
Asitha Fernando: The pacer complemented Theekshana with a fiery spell, picking up two wickets and applying early pressure.
Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha: Both pacers chipped in with a wicket each, maintaining discipline and denying the batters any breathing space.

Key Takeaways from the 3rd ODI

New Zealand’s Batting Vulnerabilities

This match exposed significant flaws in New Zealand’s batting depth and their inability to handle pressure. Despite having secured the series with wins in the first two ODIs, this performance raised concerns as they prepare for future challenges.

Sri Lanka’s Fightback

Although the series was lost, this victory provided Sri Lanka with a morale boost and highlighted their potential in crunch situations. Their bowling unit, in particular, proved they could dismantle even strong batting lineups.

Matt Henry’s Form

Henry’s exceptional form with the ball is a positive sign for New Zealand. His milestone achievement and ability to strike at critical moments make him an invaluable asset.

Looking Ahead

While New Zealand clinched the series 2-1, the emphatic defeat in the final ODI serves as a wake-up call. For Sri Lanka, this win offers a blueprint for future success and instills confidence in their squad.

As both teams reflect on this encounter, it’s evident that consistency and adaptability will be the keys to their respective campaigns in the months ahead. For now, cricket fans will remember the 3rd ODI for Matt Henry’s magic, Mark Chapman’s resistance, and Sri Lanka’s redemption.

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