END OF OVER:142 | (wicket maiden) | SL: 358/10
- Asitha Fernando0 (15b)
- Tim Southee27-13-51-3
- Blair Tickner26-6-84-3
The WTC cycle is done. The series scoresheet shows a 2-0 for New Zealand which does, in many ways, accurately depict the story. But Sri Lanka were much closer, they were on top for a long period in the first game and instead of their cruise hitting an iceberg, it hit a ship in the form of Kane Williamson. He ensured the visitors went winless. Can that turn around in the limited overs internationals? Follow to find out. Till then, it's Ekanth, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Madushka Balasuriya and Abhimanyu Bose and our scorer, Chandan Duorah.
Raff: "Been another delightful summer of NZ test cricket. Thanks, Cricinfo, commenters, and NZ's secret weapon: Mac Jean." *Bows to Chapsy*
Tautoru : "KW MOM for me. Great innings and that last catch! " Henry Nicholls has been awarded the POTM award. Williamson is the POTS. The live feed has cut off on the telly. So the quotes from the players will be published in the news and analysis pieces coming up. Check them out here on ESPNcricinfo.
Mark: "SL where still 5 runs short of the Williamson/Nicholls partnership! Well done NZ"
Mustafa Moudi : "As this WTC Cycle comes to an end with this match, I would suggest the no. of matches must remain close (if not exactly the same) for all team. NZ playing just 12 Test in comparison to England's 22 matches doesnt make any sense !!"
Fan: "Rajitha lasted 110 balls and 2.5 hours! That's great for a tailender. Frustrated thr NZ bowlers "
Maddy: "New Zealand wins the windiest test ever(Probably)"
6:30pm: An overtime win for New Zealand. So close yet so far yet again for Sri Lanka. This time it was more conditional as they were relying on tomorrow's play being washed out. Nonetheless, they hung around firmly after toppling in the first innings. Four batters made fifties in the second innings. Many wickets were soft dismissals and fell to short deliveries. Credit to Tickner, who performed Wagner's role in his absence. Sri Lanka's tail wagged, hung and almost crawled back into a branch to call it a night but Bracewell kept plugging away and Southee finished it off.
CAK Rajitha c Williamson b Southee 20 (148m 110b 1x4 0x6) SR: 18.18
Krushna: "What is Rajitha's average currently? " Just under seven
Over
mark: "wouldn't be adverse to see captains penalised for wasting reviews. that on smacked of desperation. one from 23 says it all." Yeah, but the loss of review is punishment enough
RajaSekharreddy: "And if it rains tomorrow without a ball being bowled!" IFFF!
Balaji: "Spare a thought for NZ bowlers. They bowled 210 overs straight "
Scheduled play is done. Overtime is now. The shadows have taken over, the lights have faded but still good enough to continue
END OF OVER:141 | 1 Run | SL: 358/9
- Asitha Fernando0 (15b)
- Kasun Rajitha20 (104b)
- Blair Tickner26-6-84-3
- Tim Southee26-12-51-2
De Cruz : "These two will remain unbeaten and day's play will be done because of bad light. Then tomorrow one of them will get out first ball. Well, you know. Cricket. " Yep. This will be the last official over. How many overs can they squeeze in? Umps check the light and say it's okay to bowl a quick. Tickner it will be!
END OF OVER:140 | (maiden) | SL: 357/9
- Kasun Rajitha20 (104b)
- Asitha Fernando0 (9b)
- Tim Southee26-12-51-2
- Michael Bracewell42-14-100-2
Vikas Vadgama: "And with that 9th wicket, I guess NZ can officially get half an hour's extension to complete this match today itself, right??" Yes. Sri Lanka's physio is out to check Fernando's left shoulder
Balaji: "What are the chances of play being extended today?" 50/50 given there's just one wicket to go
Fifteen more minutes before things get dicey, says Craig McMillan on air