New Zealand player Maddy Green scores fifty runs during the 2nd One Day International New Zealand White Ferns v Sri Lanka. Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
A Maddy Green century has powered the White Ferns to a 78-run win over Sri Lanka in Nelson.
After some early wobbles, Green consolidated for New Zealand and powered her way to a 107-ball ton to help her side set a solid total of 245/7 which proved out of reach for Sri Lanka, the White Ferns claiming the second one-dayer at Saxton Oval.
Green was supported by a blazing lower order innings from Polly Inglis, who plundered 34 from just 21 balls.
Despite a fighting 50 from Harshitha Samarawickrama, Sri Lanka never seriously threatened the target, as Hannah Rowe took 4-39 off her 10 overs.
It was a shocker of a start for the hosts, lynchpin Suzie Bates run out for five with just seven on the board.
Sri Lanka then struck three more times in quick succession, 18-year-old debutant Emma McLeod, Brooke Halliday and Georgia Plimmer all sent back to the sheds cheaply at 59-4 after 17 overs, Chamari Athapaththu taking two wickets.
Green and Isabella Gaze steadied the ship but just as the partnership passed 50, Kavisha Dilhari had Gaze hold out for 19.
Green was joined by Jess Kerr who kept things ticking along with 38 from 44 balls, but it was Green leading the charge.
Kerr was castled in the 43rd over with wicketkeeper Inglis entering the fray.
She would blast five fours in her quickfire 34 from just 21 balls.
Pushing for a single off the final ball of the innings, Green was caught short of her ground and was finally dismissed for 100.
In reply, it took just four overs for the White Ferns to strike, Bree Illing removing Sri Lankan skipper Athapaththu for 11.
Vishmi Gunaratne was next to go, Rowe sending her packing for eight.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari then combined for 68, Eden Carson finally breaking through as Sri Lanka brought up three figures, Dilhari nicking one behind for Inglis.
Samarawickrama powered on to 50 but quickly lost Manudi Nanayakkara for an eight ball duck as Illing claimed her second wicket.
Rowe then sneered Samarawickrama for 59 to all but end the visitors hopes.
Bates got in on the action with the ball, trapping Nilakshika Silva in front to leave the visitors 141/6.
Kerr ran out Anushka Sanjeewani for 13 and she was quickly followed by Achini Kulasuriya who was Rowe's third wicket and Inoshi Priyadharshani who was her fourth.
The White Ferns now lead the three match series after the first game was washed out.
Game three is on Sunday.
New Zealand player Izzy Gaze during the 2nd One Day International New Zealand White Ferns v Sri Lanka. Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand. Photo: Chris Symes / www.photosport.nz
