What a strange game this was. A good toss to win, there was some movement and bounce but it was not a 112 pitch. Then, the target was revised by D/L method and New Zealand made heavy weather of what should have been a simple chase. Fulton guided the hosts home with an unbeaten 42 and as a result, New Zealand lead the five-match series 2-1. The next game is on the 6th at Auckland. Join us then. This is Sriram Veera, signing off.
24.3
6
Fernando to Fulton, SIX, Screaming pull shot for six! Fulton has won the game for New Zealand! Banged in short, and Fulton swivels off his front foot and murders it over deep midwicket. Game over!
24.2
0
Fernando to Fulton, no run, banged in short and well outside the offstump, swayed away without any fuss. Surely, Fernando will go for his yorker at some point
24.1
0
Fernando to Fulton, no run, in the zone outside offstump, Fulton goes for a drive with a opened face of the bat and is beaten.
Fernando to have a go
END OF OVER:24 | 3 Runs | NZ: 104/6 (6 runs required from 22 overs, RR: 4.33, RRR: 0.27)
- James Franklin15 (33b)
- Peter Fulton37 (54b)
- Muthiah Muralidaran9-2-18-1
- Ruchira Perera5-0-37-2
23.6
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run, flatter, on the middle and offstump line, Franklin goes down on his front knee, attempts to sweep, doesn't connect and the ball runs of the back thigh,,, to the offside.
23.5
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run,
23.4
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run, doosra and Franklin is struck in the pad, pushing forward in defense. Point of impact was outside the offstump.
23.3
1
Muralidaran to Fulton, 1 run, They are doing it in singles here. Tossed up on the middle stump, a offbreak, Fulton leans forward, turns it around the corner, with the spin.
23.2
1
Muralidaran to Franklin, 1 run, Almost holed up toe the deep backward square-leg. Tossed up on middle and leg, Franklin sweeps, in the air, one bounce to that man in the deep. New Zealand inch closer.
23.1
1
Muralidaran to Fulton, 1 run, from round the stumps, tossed up, lands outside leg, a doosra, Fulton leans forward, pushes it to the on side. only 8 runs needed
END OF OVER:23 | 3 Runs | NZ: 101/6 (9 runs required from 23 overs, RR: 4.39, RRR: 0.39)
- Peter Fulton35 (52b)
- James Franklin14 (29b)
- Ruchira Perera5-0-37-2
- Muthiah Muralidaran8-2-15-1
22.6
1
Perera to Fulton, 1 run, full in length, on the leg and middle, worked to midwicket.
22.5
1
Perera to Franklin, 1 run, Another shortish and wide outside offstump, cut past point
22.4
0
Perera to Franklin, no run, banged in short of length, outside offstump, Franklin is offbalance when trying to force it off the back foot, ends up pushing it to cover
22.3
0
Perera to Franklin, no run, full and on the middle stump line, it goes on with the angle. Franklin leans forward, brings his bat around his front pad, pushes it out to Jayasuriya at mid-on
22.2
0
Perera to Franklin, no run, speared in full. 142 kmph. at the pads, Franklin pushes at it, and the ball raps him on the pads and bobs away to the on side
22.1
1
Perera to Fulton, 1 run, length-delivery, lands on the offstump line, goes on with the angle. dabbed down to thirdman. Just 11 runs now.
END OF OVER:22 | 1 Run | NZ: 98/6 (12 runs required from 24 overs, RR: 4.45, RRR: 0.50)
- James Franklin13 (25b)
- Peter Fulton33 (50b)
- Muthiah Muralidaran8-2-15-1
- Ruchira Perera4-0-34-2
21.6
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run, around offstump again, steered to the offside
21.5
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run, beaten! so close to that outside edge. Tossed up, lands around offstump, Franklin pushes at it and is beaten as the offbreak spins past his bat
21.4
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run,
21.4
1w
Muralidaran to Franklin, 1 wide, Wide! Murali goes for a doosra but it goes spinning down leg side. Easy decision.
21.3
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run, offbreak, around offstump, Franklin pushes forward in defense, the ball runs to backward point
21.2
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run, on the off and middle, pushed to point
21.1
0
Muralidaran to Franklin, no run, tossed up, outside offstump, pushed past sillypoint
Darc is obviously perplexed as I am. Wonders about the track, "by any chance is there something completely wrong with this pitch? " Not much Mate. Definitely not much to justify this kind of scores.
END OF OVER:21 | 5 Runs | NZ: 97/6 (13 runs required from 25 overs, RR: 4.61, RRR: 0.52)
- Peter Fulton33 (50b)
- James Franklin13 (19b)
- Ruchira Perera4-0-34-2
- Muthiah Muralidaran7-2-14-1
20.6
0
Perera to Fulton, no run,
20.5
4
Perera to Fulton, FOUR, Poor delivery and Fulton makes him pay. Fulton rings the room service and Perera serves him with a full and wide one, drilled through cover. 13 runs now. New Zealand are close. Surely, they can't mess up now. or can they?