26/12Result
2nd T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Auckland, Dec 26 2006
New Zealand won by 5 wkts (9b rem)
Player of the Match
James Franklin
James FranklinNew Zealand
26/12Result
2nd T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Auckland, Dec 26 2006
New Zealand won by 5 wkts (9b rem)
Player of the Match
James Franklin
James FranklinNew Zealand

Faced with a small target to get, New Zealand went through the jitters, losing wickets thanks to some indecision between the stumps - though Sri Lanka did hit the stumps with their throws - but Nathan Astle played a slam-bang innings to see them through in the end. Sri Lanka's batting never really got going, and when your two main contributors are the No's 9 and 10, you've got a problem. 115 was never a really threatening score, and New Zealand came back after the rain-marred loss at Wellington to level the series 1-1.

Hope you've enjoyed the action from this Boxing Day Twenty20. Remember, there are two other big matches on today - the fourth Test of the Ashes at the MCG, and India-South Africa at Durban. Do stay with Cricinfo for our live coverage of both matches.

As for this series, we'll be seeing you on December 28th for the first of five ODIs at Napier. For now, this is Jamie Alter signing off. Belated Christmas wishes to all...cheers!

18.3
1
Dilshan to Astle, 1 run, all over! Tossed up on middle and leg, Astle gets down and sweeps through square leg for one, and New Zealand have tied the series!
18.2
0
Dilshan to Astle, no run, tossed up outside leg, he tries to loft it for four but doesnt make contact
18.1
0
Dilshan to Astle, no run, tossed up outside off stump, he drives but gets an inside edge to mid-wicket

Boy, is the crowd behind Astle...lovely scenes at the ground...

END OF OVER:
18 | 15 Runs | NZ: 115/5 (1 run required from 12 balls, RR: 6.38, RRR: 0.50)

  • Nathan Astle39 (34b)
  • James Franklin3 (6b)
  • Ruchira Perera4-0-49-0
  • Dilhara Fernando4-0-19-3
17.6
1
Perera to Astle, 1 run, slower and fuller outside off stump, Astle looks to square drive it but doesnt time it well, the ball bobs up and drops outside off stump, McGlashan calls for the mad single, and the scores are tied!
17.5
6
Perera to Astle, SIX, bye bye birdie! Insane hit that! Full outside off stump, and Astle picks it so well, just sends it sailing miles and miles over wide long-on, thats so far back into the stands, wow, wow, wow!
17.4
1
Perera to Franklin, 1 run, fuller length delivery on off stump, Franklin comes on the frontfoot and drives it to extra cover
17.3
1
Perera to Astle, 1 run, short and wide outside off stump, Astle's cramped for room but carries through with the back-foot slam, and luckily for him it goes over mid-off and lands safely
17.2
2
Perera to Astle, 2 runs, fuller length delivery on the off, Astle goes for the booming drive, but gets the outside edge down to third man, great effort by Atapattu saves two runs
17.1
4
Perera to Astle, FOUR, hoo hah! The lengths all wrong for his chap, drops it short outside off stump and Astle picks it from where it lands and smokes it over mid-on for four, sweet!

END OF OVER:
17 | 7 Runs | NZ: 100/5 (16 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 5.88, RRR: 5.33)

  • Nathan Astle25 (29b)
  • James Franklin2 (5b)
  • Dilhara Fernando4-0-19-3
  • Ruchira Perera3-0-34-0
16.6
1
Fernando to Astle, 1 run, full on middle and leg, Impetuous Astle swipes across the line and mistimes it out to a wide mid-on, agricultural farming type of batting this...Twenty20 on Boxing Day, would you believe it?
16.5
0
Fernando to Astle, no run, whats the reply? A bouncer! Quick on middle and leg, forces Astle down onto his haunches
16.4
4
Fernando to Astle, FOUR, thats the four he's been eyeing! Slow and full on the stumps, Astle moves his front leg out of the way and slams it bang smack down the ground, a couple bounces and over the ropes, pressure relieved now
16.3
1
Fernando to Franklin, 1 run, short outside off stump, Franklin chops to cover, they set off, Atapattu is slow and cant get the pick-and-throw in time, and a sluggish Astle is home clear
16.2
1
Fernando to Astle, 1 run, good length on leg stump, an eager-beaver Astle swings at it and bottom-edges into the square leg region

Match Coverage

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New Zealand 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st51SP FlemingBB McCullum
2nd5BB McCullumLRPL Taylor
3rd1NJ AstleBB McCullum
4th25NJ AstlePG Fulton
5th4NJ AstlePD McGlashan
6th30NJ AstleJEC Franklin