Sri Lanka win the toss, elect to field in 2nd ODI against New Zealand

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) – Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to play in the second one-day international against New Zealand on Sunday.

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando smashed centuries in Sri Lanka’s 45-run win under the DLS method in a rain-affected first ODI on Wednesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

New Zealand retained the same playing XI that battled Sri Lanka’s spinners in the first match at Dambulla, with all-rounder Nathan Smith, opener Tim Robinson and wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay all making their ODI debuts for the tourists.

The home side bolstered their spin attack further with left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage being the fourth slow bowling option. Wellalage replaced fast bowler Dushan Madushanka.

The series will give New Zealand a build-up to next year’s Champions Trophy tournament, which Sri Lanka failed to qualify for by finishing ninth in last year’s World Cup in India.

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Lineups:

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando.

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AP cricket: