NZ vs NED | 2nd ODI | Tom Latham powers New Zealand to unassailable 2-0 lead

New Zealand, led by Tom Latham, gained an easy win over the Netherlands in the second ODI to clinch the ongoing series and maintain an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Although Fred Klaassen and Logan van Beek stole the show with the new ball, skipper Latham came to the fore and sailed his side through the rough weather. Klaassen and van Beek ran past New Zealand's top order, reducing them to 32-5. Martin Guptill, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor and Michael Bracewell became the casualties of the Netherland bowlers' new-ball spell.

However, Latham first partnered with Colin de Grandhomme and then moved forward with Doug Bracewell to provide the innings with much-needed stability. 

The veteran Kiwi southpaw played the given role with perfection and smashed an unbeaten 140-run knock. Bracewell and Ish Sodhi's handy contributions down the order helped the Blackcaps post a competitive total of 264 runs.

As the Netherlands wasted the opportunity with the ball after taking early wickets, their batting also fell apart en route to the target. Again, the hosts suffered early setbacks; however, Vikramjit Singh and Bas de Leede somewhat pulled them out of the deep hole, building a 77-run partnership and scoring 31 and 37 runs. 

Once their wickets fell, it was downhill for the Netherlands as Pieter Seelaar and Co. lost the match by 118 runs.

Michael Bracewell shone with the ball for New Zealand, claiming three wickets today, while other bowlers also capitalised on the opportunity and left a mark in the wicket column.

The third ODI, which is a dead rubber, will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on April 4.