| 1W | ||||
| 1W | ||||
| 1W | 1W | |||
Commentator: Vishal Dikshit
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."
Doesn't matter who bowls now, NZ are just three away. It's Isuru Udana and Malinga is setting the field
Just three more required
Long-on goes deep
The four-in-four - for a second time in his career - aside, the Sri Lanka paceman also became the first to 100 T20I wickets during the game
Lasith Malinga's sensational spell saw records tumble
Twelve years after he left South Africa wobbling at the World Cup, not much has changed with Sri Lanka's pace-bowling sensation
That yorker, the late swing, the dip, the accuracy, that low-arm sling: the works - he's still got it
The cricket world pays tribute to Lasith Malinga after his second four-in-four in internationals
