Astle sees New Zealand home
Stuttering, stumbling, bumbling, New Zealand eventually managed to find a way home, beating Sri Lanka by five wickets at Eden Park to ensure that the two match Twenty20 series was shared one-all
26/12Result
2nd T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Auckland, Dec 26 2006
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![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
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![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
116/5 (18.3/20 ov)
Player of the Match
26/12Result
2nd T20I, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Auckland, Dec 26 2006
-
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
-
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
116/5 (18.3/20 ov)
Player of the Match
Match Centre
Statistics
Best performances - Batsmen
NJ Astle
40(37) 4x4 - 1x6
Control %75%
- Productive Shot
- on side drive on front foot
- 10 runs
- 2x4 - 0x6
BB McCullum
28(28) 6x4 - 0x6
Control %63%
- Productive Shot
- off side drive on front foot
- 10 runs
- 2x4 - 0x6
Match Details
Toss
New Zealand , elected to field first
Player Of The Match
Series result
2-match series drawn 1-1
Match number
Season
Hours of play (local time)
14.00 start, First Session 14.00-15.20 Interval 15.20-15.40, Second Session 15.40-17.00
Match days
26 December 2006 (20-over match)
T20I debut
Umpires
TV Umpires
Reserve Umpire
Match Referee
Scorecard Summary
SRI LANKA 115 (18.2 OVERS)
- Dilhara Fernando21 (14)
- Lasith Malinga27 (19)
- Andre Adams2/20 (4)
- James Franklin3/23 (4)
NEW ZEALAND 116/5 (18.3 OVERS)
- Nathan Astle*40 (37)
- Brendon McCullum28 (28)
- Dilhara Fernando3/19 (4)
- Ruchira Perera0/49 (4)
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
Match Coverage
All Match NewsO'Brien called up as cover
Iain O'Brien, the Wellington medium-pace bowler, has been called up as cover for Michael Mason and Mark Gillespie during the first ODI against Sri Lanka on December 28
Astle sees New Zealand home
Stuttering, stumbling, bumbling, New Zealand eventually managed to find a way home, beating Sri Lanka by five wickets at Eden Park to ensure that the two match Twenty20 series was shared one-all