Smith leapt into action when Malinga, playing the second ODI of his career, skied a ball from Will O'Rourke down to third man. Running at full tilt to his right, Smith launched off the ground as the ball fell towards the turf. He was fully horizontal in the air with his arms outstretched when he grasped the ball with both hands before it hit the ground. Thankfully for New Zealand, the ball didn't pop out of his hands as he made impact after completing the catch.

The 'Superman' effort came with New Zealand already well on track to win the game. The Black Caps had scored 255-9 batting first, Rachin Ravindra was their top-scorer with 79 off 63 balls, Mark Chapman also contributed a half-century.

Sri Lanka were in trouble early in the chase when they slipped to 22-4 inside the first five overs. Jacob Duffy dismissed both Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis for single figure scores, while Charith Asalanka was the fourth wicket to fall to a calamitous run out.

By the time Malinga came to the crease, Sri Lanka were 131-8 at the 28 over mark, and all-but out of the game. Maheesh Theekshana was the final wicket to fall eight balls after Malinga was dismissed, consigning Sri Lanka to a 113-run defeat.

New Zealand's nine-wicket win in the first ODI of he series means they have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series ahead of the final match. That game will be played in Auckland on Saturday (January 11).

Watch: Nathan Smith takes screamer on third man boundary

Nathan Smith! A screamer on the Seddon Park boundary to dismiss Eshan Malinga 🔥 #NZvSL #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/sQKm8aS07F

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 8, 2025

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