Date: Sep 03, 2019 Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
VS
161/9 (20.0)
165/6 (19.4)
Toss: Toss won by Sri Lanka
Umpires: Lyndon Hannibal (SL) and Raveendra Wimalasiri (SL)
TV umpire: Prageeth Rambukwella (SL)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
Nepal vs Maldives - 3rd Place Play-off
Nepal 98/5 OVERS: 16.1
Maldives 94/9 (20.0 Ovs)
Nepal beat Maldives by 5 wickets
USA 51/2 OVERS: 14.3
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - 1st Test
11 Dec, 2019 10:30 IST | 05:00 GMT
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
United Arab Emirates vs Scotland - Match 3
11 Dec, 2019 11:30 IST | 06:00 GMT
Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah
India vs West Indies - 3rd T20I
11 Dec, 2019 19:00 IST | 13:30 GMT
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Australia vs New Zealand - 1st Test
12 Dec, 2019 10:30 IST | 05:00 GMT
Perth Stadium, Perth
United Arab Emirates vs USA - Match 4
12 Dec, 2019 11:30 IST | 06:00 GMT
ICC Academy, Dubai
India vs West Indies - 2nd T20I
West Indies beat India by 8 wickets
United Arab Emirates vs USA - Match 1
USA beat United Arab Emirates by 3 wickets
Maldives beat Bhutan by 8 wickets
India vs West Indies - 1st T20I
India beat West Indies by 6 wickets
Nepal beat Maldives by 84 runs
COMMENTARY
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 4 wickets | Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand 2nd T20I match
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So that is it from this game! The Kiwis have won the series with a game to go but Sri Lanka still have pride to play for in the third T20I. It is to be played on 6th September at 1900 local (1330 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!
TIM SOUTHEE, THE KIWI SKIPPER, IS THE MAN OF THE MATCH! On being asked about the games so far, he says they have been a couple of great games. Further adds that it was a little bit tight in the end and he was worried about the two guys that went down during the fielding effort on the second last ball of the match. He is pleased that Tom Bruce stood up in the absence of Ross Taylor that too after a huge gap. On Tom Bruce's injury, informs that the medical team will perform a check on Tom Bruce and see if he is fit for the next match. Ends by saying that they will have a good night's sleep after the series win and maybe enjoy a bit now.
Sri Lanka skipper, Lasith Malinga says that they tried their best and got to a decent score but they had a few mistakes here and there and hence they came out on the losing side. Though Malinga says he is happy with the fight they have shown and wants the side to go down fighting. Thanks the crowd for coming out and supporting them. Informs they have one more match to be played to show case their talent and skills. On the performance of the youngsters, Malinga says they have been good and have played with freedom and expressed themselves. On being asked if the bench strength will be checked in the last game, Malinga says they are looking to give chance to the youngsters. On the two injured players, Lasith informs that they are doing well now.
Colin De Grandhomme says that he was looking to do his job for his side and continue his good form from Tests. On whether he was disappointed not bowl today, Colin smiles and says that the margin of error for a bowler in T20s is tough and hence he is not unhappy not to bowl. Credits the Indian T20 League for helping him play spin better. Tells that they were nervous in the final moments but knew they were just a hit away.
The Lankan bowlers, except for Akila Dananjaya did not start off nicely. He did take a beating but also took three wickets. The rest failed to pick wickets in the middle. Lakshan Sandakan was tackled cleverly by the Kiwi batters. A lot was expected by Hasaranga but he was not at his best. It seemed like the Kiwis would get home easily but Sri Lanka fought back well to take it till the last over. They might have also got a few Kiwi players nervous but could not level the series. For now, Colin de Grandhomme is seen giving an interview.
One partnership is what you need in a T20 game and New Zealand got it as Colin de Grandhomme and Tom Bruce smashed a 100-plus stand. Before that, the Kiwi openers came out all guns blazing. They knew they had to make full use of the Powerplay and did exactly that. They did lose their top three but almost went at 10 per over. Then, Colin and Bruce stroked it around the corner and steadied the ship. Once the two got their eye in they accelerated. Hasaranga's over was the game changing one where he went 16 in the 12th over and then the run-flow did not stop. However, it did seem like New Zealand would throw the good work away, it could have happened had Santner's catch been taken but that was not the case and the Kiwis are deserved winners in the end.
Drama, too much drama in the end but it is New Zealand who come out on top and take the series. An excellent effort from them once again. Beating Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is a tough task but then doing it with no Williamson, Taylor and Guptill who did not bat tonight is a big achievement. Pin-drop silence at the moment here in the stadium and understandably as it is their team's 7th consecutive loss in T20Is and Southee's unbeaten record as New Zealand's T20I captain stays in-tact.
19.4Wanindu Hasaranga to Mitchell Santner. FOUR, FOUR! Santner finishes this off in style. Floated around off, Santner drags it towards cow corner in no man's land for a boundary. NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 4 WICKETS AND WIN THE SERIES 2-0 WITH A GAME TO GO!
19.3Wanindu Hasaranga to Mitchell Santner. SIX, SIX! Brilliant piece of work but a collision has seen the fielder touch the rope. This is nail-biting stuff. Flighted outside off, Santner gets down on one knee and goes for a big slog sweep. He gets to the left of long on and right of mid-wicket. Both the fielders come steaming in. The man at long on, Shehan Jayasuriya takes the catch but the fielder from mid-wicket is too fast and he cannot stop himself. In a rugby style tackle the man from mid-wicket, Kusal Mendis takes down his own partner. Both the fielders are down in pain. Jayasuriya tries to throw the ball away but replays find him to be late. Jayasuriya hobbles to the pavillion but Mendis is not moving worrying sign this. The umpires initially signalls a boundary but after a few moment he signals it as six. So just one needed now.
Is that a biggie? More worrying for Sri Lanka at the moment is there was a massive collision between the two players and one of them is down in pain. It is a boundary as the long on player did touch the ropes when he had the ball in his hand but he is still not up on his feet and looks in a lot of pain. Most of the Lankan players have surrounded that player and now he is seen being carried off towards the dug out. The one who was carried out was Shehan Jayasuriya. Mendis the deep mid-wicket fielder is also down.
Tim Southee comes out to bat.
19.2Wanindu Hasaranga to Daryl Mitchell. out, OUT! Stay where you are because Wanindu is pulling off a stunner here. Floated on off and middle, Mitchell looks to clear the man at long on against the spin. He does not time it well and it goes to the right of the man at long on. Substitute, Lahiru Madhushanka swiftly moves across to his right and makes no mistake. He takes a very good catch.
Mitchell Santner is the new man in.
5 wickets down for NZ. Out batsman is Tom Bruce 19.1Wanindu Hasaranga to Daryl Mitchell. out, OUT! WHAT A START! Wanindu has not just started with a dot, he has got rid of the well set Bruce with some smart, athletic efforts. Shorter around off, Mitchell looks to hit it straight but it comes off the inner half of his bat and goes to the left of Wanindu. He gathers the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end where Bruce was way out of his crease. Hasaranga scores a direct hit. The umpire takes it upstairs and replay shows that Tom's dive is not enough to save him.
Bruce is already walking back! Has Hasaranga found him short. They have taken it upstairs. This could be a vital moment in the game.
Who will bowl the last over? It is going to be the leg spin of Wanindu Hasaranga. If he pulls this off then he will become the hero here.
End of over 19 ( 10 Runs )NZ 155/4 18.6Isuru Udana to Daryl Mitchell. 1 run, Full outside off, Mitchell slams it hard but to the man at long off for a single. 7 needed off last over.
18.5Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Good length ball around off, Bruce flat bats it towards long off on a bounce for a single.
The physio is out in the middle to have a look at Tom Bruce. Looks like he has twisted his right knee. That is a painful blow. He is getting his right knee heavily taped here. He is back up on his feet and getting padded up like a warrior.
18.4Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. 2 runs, Excellent running but also poor fielding. Fuller outside off, Bruce squeezes it towards long off. The fielder is too deep in the ropes and they call for two. The fielder fumbles allowing them to get the second with ease. Udana is not happy. Bruce seems to have hurt himself as he slipped while turning for the second. 9 needed off 8 now.
50 runs for Tom Bruce 150 runs for NZ 18.3Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. FOUR, FOUR! BOOM! Bruce gets to his fifty in style. Back of a hand slower ball around off. Tom gets across and paddles it over backward square leg. The fielder could not even move and the ball races away to the fence. Subdued celebrations from Bruce as he knows the job is not complete yet.
Daryl Mitchell comes on to bat.
18.2Isuru Udana to Colin De Grandhomme. out, OUT! De Grandhomme holes out! Is this the game-changing wicket? Fuller outside off, Udana takes the pace off this one. De Grandhomme goes for the big one over covers. He does not time it well as the ball comes slower to him. Colin then ends up chipping it straight to the man at deep extra cover. Avishka Fernando in the deep makes no mistake and the crowd is back on its feet, having found their voice back. End of a fantastic knock, he though will be gutted not to see his side home. 15 needed off 10 balls.
18.1Isuru Udana to Colin De Grandhomme. 2 runs, Very full outside off, de Grandhomme plays it really well. Does not power it but just guides it wide of deep backward point for a couple. This has been a fantastic knock from the big man.
End of over 18 ( 9 Runs )NZ 145/3 17.6Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 2 runs, A couple to end! Very full and outside off, Bruce swings but it goes off the inner half through square leg for two. 9 from the over. 17 needed in 2. This is going down to the wire.
17.5Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. leg byes, 1 run, Just the single again! On the pads, Colin looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls towards fine leg. A leg bye taken.
17.4Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, One more single! A low full toss on middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.
17.3Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Very full again and on middle, this is hit down to long off for one. Singles won't harm Lanka at the moment. 100-run stand up. They have taken New Zealand to the brink of victory but need to win it for them.
17.3Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. wide, 1 run, Down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. Wided.
17.2Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, A yorker outside off, Bruce fails to jam it out towards the left of the bowler for one.
17.1Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 2 runs, A couple to begin! Full and on the pads, it is worked in the gap through the mid-wicket region for two.
Lasith malinga to bowl his last and also searching his 100th T20I wicket. His figures read 3-0-31-0.
End of over 17 ( 3 Runs )NZ 136/3 16.6Isuru Udana to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, A dot to end! Another top, top over and Sri Lanka are managing to crawl back here. 26 needed in the last 3. A yorker outside off, Colin looks to jam it out but misses.
16.5Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. 1 run, A single now! Sri Lanka won't mind. Fuller and on off, it is pushed down to long off for one.
16.4Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. no run, One more dot! Gold dust at this stage! Slower one outside off, the batter looks to work it on the leg side but is early in the shot. Misses.
16.3Isuru Udana to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Bowled to his field there! Full and wide outside off, it is hit to sweeper cover for one.
16.2Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Slower one on off, Bruce looks to swing but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for a single.
16.1Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. no run, A dot to begin this one! A slower one outside off, Bruce looks to paddle scoop it but misses to get hit on the pads.
Isuru Udana comes back on! His figures read 1-0-5-0.
End of over 16 ( 3 Runs )NZ 133/3 15.6Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, A single to end! Lovely over, given Sri Lanka some hope. 29 needed in 24. This is on the pads, it is sweeped towards short fine leg for one.
15.5Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. no run, One more dot! This is flatter and on middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.
15.4Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. no run, Three googlies in a row! Bruce looks to defend but once again it goes off the outer half to point.
15.3Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Slower through the air again and it is another googly, Colin looks to defend but it goes off the outer half towards point for one.
15.2Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, The googly on the leg stump, Colin does not pick it. He looks to flick but gets a soft leading edge on the off side.
15.1Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Loopy ball on off, Bruce opens the face of the bat and guides it towards covers for one.
Lakshan Sandakan comes back on! his figures so far 3-0-13-0.
End of over 15 ( 11 Runs )NZ 130/3 14.6Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. FOUR, FOUR! Crunched away! Overpitched on off, Malinga misses his yorker by just few inches but that is enough for de Grandhomme. He creams his drive through extra cover for a boundary.
50 runs for Colin De Grandhomme 14.5Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. 2 runs, FIFTY FOR COLIN DE GRANDHOMME! This has been a brilliant knock from the Kiwi all-rounder. He missed out on a well deserved fifty in the first game but this time he has got to the milestone. Full around off, de Gradhomme drives it through point and gets a couple to get to his 2nd T20I fifty. He raises his bat as his teammates applause his knock. Colin came in at a time when New Zealand were losing their way but he has shown them the path like a true leader.
14.4Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. 2 runs, Brilliant ball! A crispy yorker on middle and off. Colin does well to get his bat down and tuck it towards mid-wicket. The ball is wide of deep mid-wicket and they call for two. Akila Dananjaya gets to the ball quickly and has a shy at the bowler's end. Hed misses but replay later on shows Bruce was quick as he was in.
14.3Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Full on the pads, Bruce flicks it to the on side and gets to the other end. Smart batting this as they are not taking any risks against Malinga and just seeing him out.
14.2Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Very full on middle. Colin does well to milk it towards mid-wicket for one. This is now the highest 4th wicket stand for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in T20Is.
14.1Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Bends his back and bowls it short. The ball does not raise as it is just above the waist. Bruce turns it behind square on the leg side for a single.
The Sri Lankan players are having a look at Wanindu here. Seems like he has cramped up his right leg.
End of over 14 ( 13 Runs )NZ 119/3 13.6Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. SIX, SIX! That is some hit! A powerful shot. Wow! A clear indication of the power of this guy. It is on middle and shorter in length. Colin de Grandhomme goes back and lofts it off the back foot over the long on fence. The fielder there does leap and try to take it but falls awkwardly. The last ball spoils the over. An expensive end to Dananjaya's spell but still a good one. 4-0-36-3.
13.5Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Another single as this is eased down to long on.
13.4Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, On middle, it is worked towards mid-wicket for one.
13.3Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. 2 runs, In the air... but the fielder slips! Nothing going right for the Lankans. The move to get back Dananjaya almost works. It is on middle, Colin brings the slog sweep out but only a top edge is induced. It goes high up in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Madushanka, the sub, runs in and just as he looks to settle under the ball, he slips. It falls behind him and two is taken.
13.2Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Short and on middle, it is slapped through covers for one.
13.1Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. 2 runs, A wild throw or there was another opportunity! This is on middle, it is worked through mid-wicket with soft hands. The batters take two. The striker is struggling to get to his end but the fielder makes a wild throw.
Akila Dananjaya comes on once again to bowl. His figures so far 3-0-23-3.
End of over 13 ( 6 Runs )NZ 106/3 12.6Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, One more yorker on middle, it is jammed out towards mid-wicket for one.
12.5Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Very full and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.
30 runs for Tom Bruce 12.4Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, One more chance but another fumble! A slower one on off, it is pushed towards cover and the batter takes off. The fielder at covers takes his eyes off the ball at the very end and misfields.
12.3Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Misfield and the run becomes easy. This is full and on off, Colin de Grandhomme pushes it to mid off and takes off. The fielder gets to the ball does not collect it cleanly.
12.2Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, A dot! Fuller and on off, Colin hits it hard but to covers.
12.2Lasith Malinga to Colin De Grandhomme. wide, 1 run, WIDE! This is down the leg side. Colin looks to flick but misses. Perera does well to dive and stop it.
12.1Lasith Malinga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, A slower full ball outside off, it is creamed through covers for one.
Lasith Malinga comes on now. Sri Lankan skipper needs to produce a magical spell here.
End of over 12 ( 16 Runs )NZ 100/3 100 runs for NZ 11.6Wanindu Hasaranga to Colin De Grandhomme. FOUR, FOUR! This indeed has to be the momentum changing over. 16 from it and only 62 needed now in 48. This is a powerful stroke. It is full and on middle, Colin powers it down the ground and into the long on fence.
30 runs for Colin De Grandhomme 11.5Wanindu Hasaranga to Colin De Grandhomme. SIX, SIX! This is probably the over which shifts the momentum. A biggie this. It is floated up on off, out comes the slog sweep and it clears the mid-wicket fence with ease.
11.4Wanindu Hasaranga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Floats it up on off, it turns away. Bruce looks to defend but it goes off the outside edge towards short third man for one. Also, the 50-run stand is up. Vital one but needs to continue.
11.3Wanindu Hasaranga to Tom Bruce. FOUR, FOUR! Bruce releases a little pressure! He brings the slog sweep out and hits it nicely in the gap in the mid-wicket region. Boundary!
11.2Wanindu Hasaranga to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Colin de Grandhomme looks to break the shackles as he tries to go downtown. Fails to time it well and it goes towards long off for one.
11.1Wanindu Hasaranga to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, Gives it a lot of air on off, Colin smashes it but straight to covers.
End of over 11 ( 5 Runs )NZ 84/3 10.6Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Floated on the pads, Colin nudges it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
10.5Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, Flighted on off, de Grandhomme pushes it to cover.
10.4Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Shorter on off, TB cuts it towards point for one.
10.3Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, On the pads, de Grandhomme flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.
10.2Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Short outside off, Bruce looks to cut but gets a thick inside edge which goes towards short fine leg for a single.
10.1Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Short outside off, de Grandhomme punches it towards cover for a single.
End of over 10 ( 6 Runs )NZ 79/3 9.6Wanindu Hasaranga to Tom Bruce. no run, A dot to end! Flatter and outside off, Bruce guides it to point. 83 needed in the last 10.
9.5Wanindu Hasaranga to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Flatter and on the pads, it is flicked through square leg for one.
9.4Wanindu Hasaranga to Colin De Grandhomme. 2 runs, In the gap! It is the googly, Colin works it through mid-wicket for two.
9.3Wanindu Hasaranga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Nudged around the corner for one more single.
9.2Wanindu Hasaranga to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, This is hit hard through covers but only for one.
9.1Wanindu Hasaranga to Tom Bruce. 1 run, NOT OUT! Well in again! This is on the pads, it is worked towards short fine leg. The batters go for one. The fielder fires it to the keeper who whips the bails off and appeals. The umpire takes it upstairs and replays show that Colin is well in.
A run out appeal is taken upstairs. The batter does not look worried.
Wanindu Hasaranga comes on now to bowl. He had a good start to his T20I career and would hope to contribute in a winning cause for his team.
End of over 9 ( 6 Runs )NZ 73/3 8.6Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, This is a googly, it is outside leg and then turns back in. Bruce looks to sweep but once again it goes off the inside edge towards short fine leg for one.
8.5Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, A bottom edge! It is down the leg side, the batter looks to sweep but gets a bottom edge towards short fine leg for a single.
8.4Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, One more single as this is worked through mid-wicket.
8.3Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Shorter and on off, it is pushed through covers for one. New Zealand are dealing in singles at the moment.
8.3Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. wide, 1 run, WIDE! A googly but wide outside off, Colin looks to cut but misses.
8.2Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, On middle, it is kept out.
8.1Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, On middle, it is worked through square leg for one.
End of over 8 ( 5 Runs )NZ 67/3 7.6Isuru Udana to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, That is top class from Perera! Saves four for his team and ensures it is another good over for his side. Shorter and outside off, Colin looks to pull but gets an inside edge to the left of Perera. He dives and stops it with one hand.
7.5Isuru Udana to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, A dot! Very full and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.
7.4Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Good length and on off, this is pushed to the man at covers for one.
7.3Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. 2 runs, Well played! This is worked with soft hands through mid-wicket and two is taken.
7.2Isuru Udana to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Good length and on off, it is pushed through covers for one.
7.1Isuru Udana to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Shorter and outside off, Bruce slaps it through covers and a single is taken.
Isuru Udana is on now!
End of over 7 ( 3 Runs )NZ 62/3 6.6Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, A single to end a top first over by Sandakan. This is shorter and on middle, it is pushed down to long on for one.
6.5Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. no run, One more dot! This is tossed up outside off, it is the leg spinner. Bruce looks to drive but the ball turns back in and it goes off the inner half to fine leg.
6.4Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Flatter and outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.
6.3Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, BEAUTY! This is floated up outside off, nice flight given there. It is the googly. Colin looks to drive it through the off side but is beaten.
6.2Lakshan Sandakan to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, Flatter and fuller on off, Colin goes back to a ball he should play ahead and guides it to short third man.
6.1Lakshan Sandakan to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Starts off with a short ball outside off, it is slapped through covers for one. Gets away with a poor ball there.
Lakshan Sandakan comes on now.
End of over 6 ( 8 Runs )NZ 59/3 5.6Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. no run, BEATEN! A dot to end the Powerplay! This is shorter and outside off, Colin de Grandhomme looks to play it late but is beaten. A shared Powerplay one can say. New Zealand have scored freely but have lost 3 wickets. They are 59 for 3 after it. 103 more needed in 84.
5.5Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. 1 run, One more single as this is eased down to long on. Good sensible batting.
5.4Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. FOUR, FOUR! Easy-peasy! Shorter and on off, Bruce goes back and punches it through covers for a boundary.
5.3Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. 2 runs, Loopy ball on off, it is eased down to long on. Some good running sees the batters take two.
5.2Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. no run, Flatter and on middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.
5.1Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Flatter and on middle, it is worked towards square leg for one.
End of over 5 ( 11 Runs )NZ 51/3 4.6Shehan Jayasuriya to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, On the pads, De Grandhomme flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single. 11 runs off the over. New Zealand continue to churn out big runs.
50 runs for NZ 4.5Shehan Jayasuriya to Tom Bruce. 1 run, One more single as this is worked through mid-wicket.
4.4Shehan Jayasuriya to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, On middle, it is worked down through mid-wicket.
4.3Shehan Jayasuriya to Colin De Grandhomme. SIX, SIX! Poor ball and put away! Short and on middle, it sits up to be hit. Colin de Grandhomme goes back and pulls it with power over the square leg fence.
4.2Shehan Jayasuriya to Tom Bruce. 1 run, The batsman has driven it through mid on. The batsmen have run through for a single.
4.1Shehan Jayasuriya to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, Flatter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
End of over 4 ( 10 Runs )NZ 40/3 3.6Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, On the pads, CdG turns it to the on side and gets a single to keep the strike. 10 runs and 2 wickets off the over.
3.5Akila Dananjaya to Tom Bruce. 1 run, Almost a disaster. Shorter on middle and leg, Bruce comes down the track and glances it towards backward square leg. Colin de Grandhomme comes out for a single. Bruce says yes but then has second thoughts, de Grandhomme though does not turn his bike the other way. Tom goes through with it and luckily the throw at the bowler's end is a poor one.
Tom Bruce walks out in the middle. New Zealand want something big from him here.
3 wickets for Akila Dananjaya. Akila Dananjaya is on a roll. 3 wickets down for NZ. Out batsman is Tim Seifert 3.4Akila Dananjaya to Tim Seifert. out, OUT! LBW! New Zealand losing the ploy here. Tossed up googly on middle and off. Seifert gets across on his front foot and looks to defend. He misses and the ball hits him on the front foot. A huge appeal follows and the umpire slowly raises the dreaded finger. Tim has a word with Colin de Grandhomme and they opt against the review. Second wicket in the over and Sri Lanka slowly getting on top here.
3.3Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. 1 run, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
3.3Akila Dananjaya to Colin De Grandhomme. wide, 1 run, Down the leg side, wided.
Colin de Grandhomme walks out in the middle. New Zealand would want a matured innings from him here.
3.2Akila Dananjaya to Scott Kuggeleijn. out, OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Akila gets another! The ploy to push the pacer up the order fails. Akila gets his revenge. This is flatter and on middle. It is the leg spinner. Stays low. The batter goes back and looks to flick but misses due to the low bounce. It hits him on the pads. An appeal goes up and so does the finger. So the runs are flowing but the wickets too are falling. It is an action-packed start to the second half.
3.1Akila Dananjaya to Scott Kuggeleijn. SIX, SIX! That is huge! Some shot by Scott. He comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and then whips it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 14 from the last three balls.
End of over 3 ( 11 Runs )NZ 30/1 2.6Shehan Jayasuriya to Tim Seifert. FOUR, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Spoils the over completely. Shorter and outside off, Seifert goes back and slaps it hard through covers. It races away to the fence. New Zealand are off to a flier.
2.5Shehan Jayasuriya to Tim Seifert. FOUR, FOUR! Smashed! Seifert clears his front leg and hammers it past the mid on fielder for a boundary.
2.4Shehan Jayasuriya to Scott Kuggeleijn. 1 run, NOT OUT! The batter has grounded his bat! EASILY! This is worked towards square leg and the batters take off. The fielder scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end and an appeal goes up. The umpire takes it upstairs and replays show that the batter is safe.
Run out appeal taken upstairs. The batter looks safe but the umpire has taken it upstairs just to be doubly sure.
2.3Shehan Jayasuriya to Tim Seifert. 1 run, An appeal but not given! This is fired full and on off, the batter looks to reverse sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. It goes towards short third man and the batters take one. The bowler in the meantime is appealing but the umpire shakes his head. No signal from him as well so there might be some bat. Replays confirm it is off the glove.
2.2Shehan Jayasuriya to Scott Kuggeleijn. 1 run, On middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.
2.1Shehan Jayasuriya to Scott Kuggeleijn. no run, Flatter and on middle, it is hit to the right of the bowler.
Shehan Jayasuriya comes on now.
End of over 2 ( 5 Runs )NZ 19/1 1.6Akila Dananjaya to Tim Seifert. no run, Hit hard but a dot! This is floated up outside off, Tim smashes it but straight to covers. A top over by Akila.
1.5Akila Dananjaya to Tim Seifert. no run, Slower through the air outside off, it is pushed to covers.
Surprise, surprise. It is going to be Scott Kuggeleijn who will walk out at number 3. He can hit the ball hard but this is some serious promotion.
1.4Akila Dananjaya to Colin Munro. out, OUT! In the air... taken! One shot too many there by Munro and that brings about his downfall. He comes down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He still goes ahead with the shot but only manages to get height on it. It goes down the throat of long off where Hasaranga takes it. A much-needed wicket for Lanka as Munro was going great guns. 143 more needed in 110 balls.
1.3Akila Dananjaya to Colin Munro. FOUR, FOUR! Up and over! This is a lovely shot. Munro makes room and Dananjaya tosses it up on off. Munro lofts it over the cover fielder and bags a boundary. He has started off really well here.
1.2Akila Dananjaya to Colin Munro. no run, A good half-stop! This is floated up on off, the batter hits it hard towards cover. The fielder there dives to his right and gets a hand to it. Saves a boundary.
1.1Akila Dananjaya to Tim Seifert. 1 run, Slower through the air on off, this is eased down to long on for one.
Akila Dananjaya to bowl from the other end.
End of over 1 ( 14 Runs )NZ 14/0 0.6Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. FOUR, FOUR! Glorious! Overpitched on off, Munro gets on his front foot and drives it with power and aggression through covers for a boundary. Expensive start for Malinga and co. 14 runs off the first.
0.5Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. FOUR, FOUR! Effortless. Munro expects a yorker so he comes down the track walking and takes it on the full. Munro does not play hard at it but just squeezes it through cover-point for a boundary.
0.4Lasith Malinga to Tim Seifert. 1 run, Another flick but this time it is fielded so just a single.
0.3Lasith Malinga to Tim Seifert. FOUR, FOUR! Horror fielding. It is a bad ball but the fielding has to be better than this. Low full toss down the leg side, Seifert flicks it hard straight to fine leg. Dickwella there takes it too casually and the ball goes between his legs to the fence for a boundary. Maybe Niroshan could have done well with his keeping gloves.
0.2Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. 1 run, Very full on the pads. Almost another yorker. Munro flicks it to fine leg for one. New Zealand and Munro are off the mark.
0.1Lasith Malinga to Colin Munro. no run, Typical Malinga start! He bowls a yorker first up on off. Munro unlike the first match is quick to get his bat down in time.
We are back for the chase! Out come the Kiwi openers, Colin Munro and Tim Seifert. Lasith Malinga to start the proceedings. He is one wicket away form 100 T20I wickets. Here we go...