New Zealand beats Sri Lanka by 113 runs in rain-hit 2nd ODI to win series

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman made half centuries in a 112-run second-wicket partnership which helped New Zealand to a 113-run win over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international on Wednesday and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Ravindra made 79 from 63 balls and Chapman scored 62 from 52 as New Zealand reached 255-9 batting first in a match reduced by rain to 37 overs per side.

Maheesh Theekshana became the seventh Sri Lanka player to take an ODI hat trick when he dismissed Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith and Matt Henry with consecutive deliveries across two overs late in the innings.

Sri Lanka slumped to 22-4 but Kamindu Mendis made a career-best 64 before the team was dismissed for 142 in 30.2 overs.

Mendis put on 57 for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage (22) and 47 for the sixth wicket with Chamidu Wickramasinghe (17) in a key partnership which was cut short by the second run-out of the Sri Lanka innings.

Sri Lanka struggled against the pace and bounce of the New Zealand attack and its run rate required had crept up to almost 15 by the end.

Showers and a wet outfield delayed the start of play by two hours. When Sri Lanka won the toss it made the natural decision to bowl on a greenish pitch at Seddon Park with the possibility of more showers to come.

New Zealand lost Will Young for 16 and was 31-1 when Chapman joined Ravindra. Together they kept the score ticking over steadily, reaching their 50 partnership from 44 balls and their century partnership from only 79 deliveries.

The pair rotated the strike and worked the ball often into the onside where there were larger gaps in the field. Ravindra also showed he was in form with an early straight drive which was a perfect example of the shot.

“I think it's a nice natural tempo to go out there and play cricket shots, even in the shortened game,” Ravindra said. "I do enjoy the ODI format, although you don't see many matches happening any more.

“It's a format I grew up watching and I think it suits the way I bat.”

There were signs Ravindra was coming into form when he hit 69 from 38 balls in the third Twenty20 between the teams and 45 from 36 balls in the first match of the ODI series on Sunday which New Zealand won by nine wickets.

He found his timing early on Wednesday and hit nine fours and a six. Chapman hit five fours and two sixes, playing with increasing confidence at No. 3.

Both players reached their half centuries with sixes, Ravindra from the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga and Chapman from Eshan Malinga.

New Zealand lost momentum after Ravindra and Chapman were out. Daryl Mitchell made 38, Glenn Phillips 22 and Santner 20 but New Zealand couldn't get back on top of the bowling.

The third ODI is on Saturday at Auckland.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis, right, runs out New Zealand's Tom Latham, left, during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka bowler Maheesh Theekshana, right, celebrates his hat-trick with his captain Charith Asalanka during their one day international cricket match against New Zealand in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka'a Kamindu Mendis takes a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Nathan Smith during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand players celebrate the wicket of Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Will Young attempts to take a catch against Sri Lanka during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana bowls to New Zealand during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Will Young is bowled by Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Mark Chapman, right, bats in front of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando, right, celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Will Young, left, during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Mark Chapman, right, bats in front of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Mark Chapman, left, makes his ground as Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis takes the bails off during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy (AP) — Albert Popov gave Bulgaria’s ski team its first World Cup victory in 45 years by triumphing in a slalom on Wednesday as four of the favorites skied out of the night race in Madonna Di Campiglio.

The victory came on the anniversary of Peter Popangelov’s lone win for Bulgaria, in Lenggries, Germany, on Jan. 8, 1980.

“A long time ago,” Popov said. “It means a lot and I want to see more children on the skis in Bulgaria, and I think this is going to do a big thing for them and they’re going to start to believe that it’s possible, and I think it’s very important for our country.”

Eighth-fastest after the opening run, Popov put down a brilliant second run on the Canalone Miramonti course and the 27-year-old tipped his head back and let out a scream of joy after crossing the finish line.

He then faced an anxious wait to see if it would be good enough for what would be a second-ever podium place. And it turned into the most unlikely of victories.

Reigning slalom World Cup champion Manuel Feller looked set to challenge him but he lost his balance and hit a gate, failing to finish for the third time in five starts in slalom this season.

Atle Lie McGrath had dominated the first run, leading by more than half a second, and was hoping for a first victory in almost three years.

The Norwegian had an advantage of 1.21 over Popov after the first split but he threw away his colossal lead as he straddled a gate.

“It’s a dream come true and it’s a long time coming,” Popov said. “I’ve been waiting a lot and I’m happy that it’s in Madonna Di Campiglio. I love the race, I love the slope, I love the people.”

Popov finished 0.44 ahead of Loic Meillard of Switzerland and 0.46 ahead of Croatia’s Samuel Kolega, who recorded his first-ever World Cup podium.

“I’m really lost for words a little bit right now,” Kolega said. "There’s been a lot of work to get here. There’s a lot of people to thank for this. It’s not just me, it’s the whole team, a lot of people who stood behind me all the time.

“It’s not just the podium for me today. I never actually scored World Cup points on this hill before and today it was really such a breakthrough for me.”

Olympic champion Clement Noel, who won the opening two slalom races of the season, and Norwegian skier Timon Haugan, who dominated the last slalom in Alta Badia, both skied out on the first run.

Meillard moved top of the discipline standings, 10 points ahead of world champion Henrik Kristoffersen and 85 points above Noel.

“Definitely not the easiest race, it’s always a challenge here in Madonna,” Meillard said. “Some mistakes happened, but at the end, another podium.

“At the moment, it’s working well. When you have a few good results, you have also confidence and you can push a bit more.”

Three-time defending overall champion Marco Odermatt, who does not compete in slaloms, remained top of the overall standings but saw his lead trimmed to 116 points above Kristoffersen.

There is another slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland in just three days, with a giant slalom the following day, and three more slalom races among a packed January calendar.

“We wanted to be in the top form in January. So with the first race, first win — this is amazing,” Popov said. “Thanks to my team, to my family. Gaia, my daughter. Thank you. This was for you guys.”

Norway's Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov celebrates winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov, center, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, poses on podium with second placed Switzerland's Loic Meillard, left, and third placed Croatia's Samuel Kolega, in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov sprays sparkling wine as he celebrates on podium winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov celebrates winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov speeds down the course on his way to win an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov, center, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, poses with second placed Switzerland's Loic Meillard, left, and third placed Croatia's Samuel Kolega, in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov celebrates winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Bulgaria's Albert Popov gets to the finish area after completing an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Norway's Timon Haugan speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati

France's Clement Noel speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Norway's Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati

Norway's Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan.8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati