Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana took a hat-trick Wednesday as New Zealand posted a competitive 255-9 in a rain-reduced second one-day international in Hamilton.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tourists will need 256 off 37 overs in Hamilton to keep the three-match series alive after Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman blasted half-centuries to lay the foundation of a competitive score.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The match was reduced to a maximum 37 overs each after rain delayed the start by more than two hours at Seddon Park.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The home side lost momentum late in their innings, and recalled off-spinner Theekshana capitalised on some wayward hitting to finish with 4-44 off eight overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He removed Mitchell Santer and Nathan Smith with successive deliveries at the end of the 35th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hat-trick was completed -- all from mistimed lofted shots -- when Matt Henry was caught off the first ball of the final over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It helped to pull back a New Zealand innings which threatened to surpass 300 when opener Ravindra raced to 79 off 63 balls and Chapman scored 62 off 52.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The pair put on a rapid 112 for the second wicket, ending when Chapman holed out to long-off from Theekshana.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ravindra departed soon afterwards, caught brilliantly at short cover by Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka off leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (2-39).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Daryl Mitchell scored 38 off 38 balls but struggled for support late in the innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Both sides made one change from the first game, which New Zealand won by nine wickets in Wellington.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Veteran New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Latham returned after missing game one with "soreness", replacing Mitchell Hay, while Theekshana came in for seamer Lahiru Kumara.<\/p>\r\n\r\n