Published: Nov 21, 2013, 08:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 21, 2013, 08:51 PM (IST)
Nathan McCullum’s timely knock of 26 helped New Zealand to reach a respectable total © Getty Images (File Photo)
Nov 21, 2013
Despite New Zealand’s batsmen getting starts, they could manage only a score of 142 for 7 in their second Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Asked to bat first, New Zealand didn’t begin on a confident note by losing their left-handed opening batsman Hamish Rutherford very early in the innings for just 6 runs. Neil Broom too struggled to make a mark and got out for a mere 6 runs. Rutherford’s opening partner, Anton Devcich provided some impetus to New Zealand’s sluggish innings with a quickfire knock of 30. He was eventually caught by Nuwan Kulasekara off Ajantha Mendis’s bowling.
Tom Latham too touched double figures, but could never get going. If not for Luke Ronchi’s innings of 34 and Nathan McCullum’s timely knock of 26, New Zealand could have been in a far worse position. For Sri Lanka, both Ajantha Mendis and newcomer Ramith Rambukwalla bowled economical spells to keep New Zealand on a tight leash. In the end, it turned out to be a good team effort by Sri Lankan bowlers. Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and inserted New Zealand into bat.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 142 for 7 in 20 overs (Anton Devcich 30, Tom Latham 20, Nathan McCullum 26; Ajantha Menids 1 for 20) vs Sri Lanka.
Full Scorecard
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand — Live on Ten Cricket
