01/09Result
1st T20I (N), New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka at Kandy, Sep 1 2019
New Zealand won by 5 wkts (3b rem)
Player of the Match
Ross Taylor
Ross TaylorNew Zealand
01/09Result
1st T20I (N), New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka at Kandy, Sep 1 2019
New Zealand won by 5 wkts (3b rem)
Player of the Match
Ross Taylor
Ross TaylorNew Zealand

Presentation coming up...

Ross Taylor is the Man of the Match: We knew 175 would be tough. Colin de Grandhomme got a lot of pressure off me with boundaries, so the asking rate was always in check. It's nice to know what your role is in the team and I can offer some experience at the other end while batting. We probably didn't field as well as we'd have liked. When Colin hit Udana for a four and a six was when we got the momentum. The focus is now on the T20 World Cup.

Malinga: It's a nice experience for the younger players to play under lights. For this kind of team we need to take opportunities as soon as we get them, but we couldn't. It happens in T20s. We were positive in this game and there were younger players in this game. Our bowlers need to be more accurate in such wet conditions and mental preparation is also important for next game.

Southee: The way Daryl finished it off was great with the bat. The experienced partnership got us back in the game and then the young guys at the end played with freedom. We were probably going to bat at the toss, but Ross and Colin got us back in the game, so who knows what would have happened. (On his unbeaten record): We have a great group of guys, younger ones play with some freedom and it's a great mix of youth and experience.

That's all we have from the game today in Pallekele. Do join us again on Tuesday for the second match of the series. Until then, it's goodbye and good luck from me, Vishal Dikshit, and Ankur Dhawan. Ciao!

Ahamed: "As a Sri Lankan fan, I will take this to the way we have been playing for the past two years in T20. This one was competetive until last two overs."

DJ: "@Osura Vindula, most heartbreaking matches are the test cricket. Haven't you watched that last ashes test and last SL vs NZ test? "

10.58pm How much did that drop of Ross Taylor cost Sri Lanka? The match probably. First, it was the consecutive sixes from Taylor against Akila Dananjaya, and then the four and six from de Grandhomme off Udana that brought the required rate under control, because they needed 113 in the last 10 overs. And the credit goes to NZ for keeping their nerve right till the end, including Daryl Mitchell who took on an in-form Malinga. The Sri Lanka captain accounted for two wickets with his yorkers, bowled 13 dots, but he didn't get much support from any other quick bowler. It was only debutant Hasaranga whose 2 for 21 from four overs kept Sri Lanka in the game but it wasn't enough.

Osura Vindula : "T20 is never a good format for heart patients. And they are proving it again & again."

19.3
2
Udana to Mitchell, 2 runs, on the stumps, worked to the leg side and they hurry back for the second as the throw goes to the bowler's end and New Zealand have won by five wickets
19.2
0
Udana to Mitchell, no run, beats Mitchell outside off this time, slower ball from the back of the hand this time. Kusal collects the ball and rushes to the stumps
19.1
1b
Udana to Santner, 1 bye, slower ball outside off, Santner misses despite swinging, they go for the bye and manage to make it because the keeper doesn't get the direct hit

Doesn't matter who bowls now, NZ are just three away. It's Isuru Udana and Malinga is setting the field

END OF OVER:
19 | 15 Runs | NZ: 172/5 (3 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 9.05, RRR: 3.00)

  • Daryl Mitchell23 (17b)
  • Mitchell Santner14 (7b)
  • Lasith Malinga4-0-23-2
  • Isuru Udana3-0-36-0
18.6
0
Malinga to Mitchell, no run, drama all around - almost a yorker, Mitchell pushes it down and comes out of the crease, Malinga stops the ball with his right foot and then throws it back at the stumps but it hits Mitchell's back on the way and Malinga appeals. Phew, Mitchell didn't change his direction so no it's not out

Just three more required

18.5
6
Malinga to Mitchell, SIX, full delivery, Mitchell doesn't want those singles or quick doubles, he has clubbed that over long-on's head for a six! It wasn't in the block hole, it was in the slot for him outside off and he made full use of it
18.4
1
Malinga to Santner, 1 run, low full toss around off, pushed down to long off easily for one

Long-on goes deep

18.3
2
Malinga to Santner, 2 runs, tight delivery on off, he gets a thick edge towards point and they come back quickly for the second as the throw comes in at the bowler's end
18.2
1
Malinga to Mitchell, 1 run, short of length, slammed down and reaches long-on after a bounce

New Zealand should be happy even with singles in this over now

18.1
0
Malinga to Mitchell, no run, slower ball on length outside off, Mitchell swings big and misses
18.1
5w
Malinga to Mitchell, 5 wides, horrible wide down the leg side and that beats the keeper too, that's five wides. That could have slipped out of Malinga's hands after drying the ball so much before the over started

So 18 from 12, Malinga has the ball. He is wiping it with his towel to dry it first. Will he bowl right now? Yes! So Akila or Udana will bowl the last

END OF OVER:
18 | 13 Runs | NZ: 157/5 (18 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.72, RRR: 9.00)

  • Mitchell Santner11 (5b)
  • Daryl Mitchell16 (13b)
  • Isuru Udana3-0-36-0
  • Wanindu Hasaranga4-0-21-2
17.6
2
Udana to Santner, 2 runs, closer and fuller towards off, Santner drills it down the ground and calls for two immediately. They get two
17.5
6
Udana to Santner, SIX, over long-on for six and Santner has silenced the crowd! Pitched up, right in the slot outside off and he lofted that down the ground with a big swing of the bat to beat the fielder

So both teams have lost their reviews now and this is going to be a thriller. Last thing we want is a howler from the umpires

17.4
1lb
Udana to Mitchell, 1 leg bye, big appeal for lbw as Mitchell misses the flick after going cross, the tock is clicking and Malinga goes for the review. Has it pitched in line? Udana bowled full from over the wicket, Mitchell was hit in front of leg stump. Waiting for ball-tracking.....pitched outside leg
17.3
1
Udana to Santner, 1 run, angling in this time, worked to long-on now but only time for a single on this occasion
17.2
2
Udana to Santner, 2 runs, pushes the low full toss outside off down the ground to long off and they sprint back for the second

Short third man is almost like a wide slip

17.1
1
Udana to Mitchell, 1 run, goes across on the off side and pushes the wide delivery into the covers

Prasad: "Next over should be bowled by akila, then isuru last over should be bowled bu Malinga". Let's see...we have Isuru Udana first. 31 needed from 18, fine leg and third man in the circle

END OF OVER:
17 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | NZ: 144/5 (31 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.47, RRR: 10.33)

  • Mitchell Santner0 (1b)
  • Daryl Mitchell15 (11b)
  • Wanindu Hasaranga4-0-21-2
  • Kasun Rajitha4-0-44-0
16.6
0
PW Hasaranga to Santner, no run, ends the over with a googly, beats Santner's bat outside off

10.38pm The players are back on the field, Mitchell Santner on strike now for the last ball of the over

10.30pm Good news: it's not raining anymore. The game is set to resume in the next 10 minutes or so. That's good news for Sri Lankan fans, actually, not for everyone.

Rikas Buhary: "Malinga to take another big decision. Whether to bowl last over or 19th... Mali can defend even 6, but I don't think no one else will defend even 15.."

10.17pm What a moment in the match - the big wicket comes for Sri Lanka, there's a review struck down and the rain comes down too. The umbrellas are out, the pitch covers are out and it's raining hard now. New Zealand need to be 139 at this stage according to DLS, so they are well ahead. New Zealand will be very happy if it keeps raining from here, they have only five wickets left and need another 31 from 19 balls. Remember, six of those will be bowled by Malinga, and if a bowler like him is defending even six in the last over, the pressure is on the batsman

16.5
W
PW Hasaranga to Taylor, OUT, swipes completely across the line, he's been given lbw, Taylor reviews! The ball turned after pitching for sure and struck him right in front of the stumps. The question is if it pitched in line because there's no edge. Here's ball-tracking: pitches in line, hitting in line and rattling middle stump

LRPL Taylor lbw b PW Hasaranga 48 (29b 3x4 2x6) SR: 165.51

16.4
0
PW Hasaranga to Taylor, no run, full around off, driven softly and straight to cover
16.3
1
PW Hasaranga to Mitchell, 1 run, drives the dull delivery down to long for one more

Saf: "cake walk for New Zealand now .. ...." Malinga still has an over though

16.2
1
PW Hasaranga to Taylor, 1 run, too full outside off and driven straight to cover but there's a fumble and they scamper across for one
16.1
1
PW Hasaranga to Mitchell, 1 run, nice and tight around off stump with some turn, punched down to long on

Taylor seems to be suffering from cramps now, he's down on the ground and getting some treatment. Gets some refreshments and he's back. Hasaranga has the ball

New Zealand 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st1MJ GuptillC Munro
2nd17MJ GuptillTL Seifert
3rd21C de GrandhommeTL Seifert
4th79LRPL TaylorC de Grandhomme
5th26LRPL TaylorDJ Mitchell
6th31DJ MitchellMJ Santner