welcome to Eden Park in Auckland for the third National Bank Series
One-Day International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka
unfortunately the weather situation here is not a positive one at
present, with rain having been falling since around 45 minutes ago
at the ground
it started off rather light, but then was a fair bit heavier for 20
minutes, but has since lightened off to an annoying steady drizzle
the forecast was for early rain and then clearing later, and
reports from the region suggest that it's not raining a short
distance away from where the weather's coming from
already it's starting to clear here, but it will be a while before
we're able to get underway at this stage
the pitch that's presently under covers is said to be a fairly
bouncy and pacy pitch, which Eden Park is starting to produce more
regularly these days, unlike the traditional old low, slow tracks
or juicy green seamers
but with the early conditions being as grey, overcast and quite
humid as they are, and the pitch under wraps until a very short
time before a start, bowling first would certainly seem to be the
favoured option if and when we do get underway
on the teams front, both sides have one change, with Lou Vincent
coming in for the injured Roger Twose to make his One-Day
International debut, while Chaminda Vaas is at last fit again, and
takes the place of Eric Upashantha in the Sri Lankan line-up
Daryl Tuffey, in to the New Zealand squad for Andrew Penn, is their
12th man, while Avishka Gunawardene has done a splendid job with
the drinks for the visitors in the first two matches, and has been
given a third turn in a row
the weather has cleared somewhat, with the covers now being removed
from the bowlers' run-ups, and now the main pitch cover, while the
hessian remains for the moment
the umpires and match referee make their first appearance out in
the middle only now, which suggests a midday start or thereabouts,
but in any case it's highly likely we've got a reduced overs
situation with overs being lost from 11:30am onwards
which is 27 minutes from now, while the latest they can start a
game with an aim for completion today is 3:20pm (through to the
latest finishing time of 7pm)
the umpires have completed their inspection, with the hessian cover
now removed, and official word back is a start at midday, with the
match being reduced to 47 overs per side
the toss will therefore be in 22 minutes time at 11:30am, we'll
keep you posted of latest developments
Match State: Start delayed due to rain
Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya has won the toss and decided
to insert New Zealand in to bat first
certainly a fair decision given the current conditions, the pitch
should certainly favour the quicker bowlers early on, and the
chasing team has won the last 4 ODIs on this ground
out come the players on to the field, 90 minutes after the
scheduled start of play and only 6 overs in total lost at this
stage
it'll be Chaminda Vaas to open the bowling for Sri Lanka from the
Sandringham Road End, bowling to Mathew Sinclair with Nathan Astle
at the non-striker's end
0.1 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump to a
good ball with a fair amount of pace
0.2 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, similar again, good pace and carry but no
stroke offered
0.3 Vaas to Sinclair, FOUR, similar ball outside off stump but Sinclair
has his eye in now, stroking through the line on the up, and
picking out the big gap at cover point perfectly, crashes into the
CricInfo.com hoarding on the boundary
0.4 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, shortish straight ball, hops on the
crease to defend down in close on the leg side
0.5 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven but
straight to Jayasuriya at wide mid off
0.6 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, lovely quick ball on off stump,
Sinclair's opened up and guides an edge towards first slip,
Sangakkara dives across but misses it, not quite there in time,
drops short of first slip
End of over 1 (4 runs) New Zealand 4/0 (RR: 4.00)
WPUJC Vaas 1-0-4-0 - Sandringham Road End
NJ Astle 0* (0b) MS Sinclair 4* (6b 1x4)
a fortunate end to the over from Sinclair, which featured a lovely
stroke through the off side
Nuwan Zoysa to open from the Dominion Road End to Nathan Astle
1.1 Zoysa to Astle, one run, shortish ball angling on leg stump, tucked
down from the hip rather fine of the keeper, the funny angles of
the ground see fine leg around quickly to field, Astle hesitant to
come back for the second and yells 'no!' to Sinclair
1.2 Zoysa to Sinclair, no run, a lovely ball angling across and away
from Sinclair, has a nibble outside off stump, just past the
outside edge
1.3 Zoysa to Sinclair, no run, jumps back in the crease to defend a
tight straight ball, played back down the pitch
1.4 Zoysa to Sinclair, no run, forward, compactly defends a tight ball
on off stump down into the covers
1.5 Zoysa to Sinclair, one run, stroked up just wide of the bowler on
the off side of the pitch, quick single taken with the shot, the
nervous crowd worries initially but Sinclair makes it home well as
the throw from mid off comes in
1.6 Zoysa to Astle, no run, forward, then shuffles back and across to
shoulder arms outside off stump through to the keeper
End of over 2 (2 runs) New Zealand 6/0 (RR: 3.00)
DNT Zoysa 1-0-2-0 - Dominion Road End
MS Sinclair 5* (10b 1x4) NJ Astle 1* (2b)
2.1 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, tight rising ball on off stump, defends
straight back up on the off side of the pitch
2.2 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, straight ball just angling on leg stump,
tries to clip it away but misses, rebounding from the pad away to
square leg
2.3 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, back and across in behind a good ball on
off stump in defence, played back up the pitch on the off side
2.4 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
tall on the crease to flat bat it down to Arnold at short cover
point
2.5 Vaas to Sinclair, no run, good tight ball again forces Sinclair
back in his crease, playing straight up to de Silva at mid on
2.6 Vaas to Sinclair, legbye: one run, angling down the leg side, tries
to clip it away but misses, settles for the leg bye deflected down
towards short fine leg, long leg in from the deep to field
End of over 3 (1 run, maiden) New Zealand 7/0 (RR: 2.33)
WPUJC Vaas 2-1-4-0 - Sandringham Road End
MS Sinclair 5* (16b 1x4) NJ Astle 1* (2b)
3.1 Zoysa to Sinclair, no run, full ball angling on off stump, driven
firmly into the deck, straight up to Jayasuriya at mid off
3.2 Zoysa to Sinclair, no run, straight and fairly full on the legs,
turned away straight to Dharmasena at midwicket, the only fielder
besides Fernando at mid on on the leg side inside the circle
3.3 Zoysa to Sinclair, OUT: shortish rising ball on off stump, Sinclair
tries to pull but doesn't have the width, only succeeds in
dragging a thick underedge straight down into his stumps
New Zealand 7/1, Partnership of 7
MS Sinclair b Zoysa 5 (19b 1x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 1* (2b) DNT Zoysa 1.3-0-2-1
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming the new batsman, no sign of
debutant Lou Vincent in his preferred position of No 3
3.4 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, nervous opening moments for Fleming,
quick full ball, hurries through and strikes him low on the pad as
he falls to the off side, huge appeal for lbw though a bit late
from the bowler, umpire Cowie signals it's heading down the leg
side
replays show Fleming might be quite fortunate to be still there
thanks to Cowie's benefit of the doubt give, almost three ducks in
a row in the series
3.5 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, thrusts the front pad out to one well
outside off stump, kicking it back on the off side, half-hearted
appeal for lbw, struck well outside the line despite offering no
shot
3.6 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, safely shoulders arms to a quick rising
ball outside off stump this time, seeing out the over
End of over 4 (maiden) New Zealand 7/1 (RR: 1.75)
DNT Zoysa 2-1-2-1 - Dominion Road End
NJ Astle 1* (2b) SP Fleming 0* (3b)
a fine wicket-maiden by Zoysa, continuing his good form in the
series
4.1 Vaas to Astle, no run, tight ball on off stump, tapped down just
backward of point to Muralitharan on the circle edge
4.2 Vaas to Astle, no run, tight ball on off stump, this time played
straight down to Arnold at short cover point
4.3 Vaas to Astle, no run, oooh! Astle shoulders arms to one that bends
back late, a very good leave, if you give the benefit to the
batsman, just coming back a few coats of varnish away from the top
of the off stump through to the keeper
4.4 Vaas to Astle, no run, shoulders arms again, this time a little
more safely as it angles further away, shaped to play briefly
before lifting the bat well clear
4.5 Vaas to Astle, no run, beaten! lovely bowling by this opening pair,
short rising ball from a length, Astle has a nibble as it slides
across him, just going past the outside edge
4.6 Vaas to Astle, no run, jumps back in the crease, defending back
down the pitch to the bowler
End of over 5 (maiden) New Zealand 7/1 (RR: 1.40)
WPUJC Vaas 3-2-4-0 - Sandringham Road End
SP Fleming 0* (3b) NJ Astle 1* (8b)
consecutive maidens, the Sri Lankan opening bowlers are off to a
great start, using the conditions to their great advantage
5.1 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, half forward, gets an inside edge into
the pad, rebounding back down the pitch, Fleming now with his
longest innings in the series so far
5.2 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, now he gets bat on ball, wristily turning
it away to Muralitharan at square leg from a straight delivery
5.3 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, good tight ball angling in on off stump,
stands much more confidently and tall, defending firmly up to
Jayasuriya at mid on
5.4 Zoysa to Fleming, two runs, Fleming's off the mark! a little
streakily though, playing a pick-up shot from a full ball on his
toes, in the air just wide of Arnold at short midwicket, time for
two as Muralitharan chases from square leg
5.5 Zoysa to Fleming, one run, angling down the leg side, glanced down
to de Silva at long leg
5.6 Zoysa to Astle, no run, shortish ball on off stump, hops on the
crease to defend down to point
End of over 6 (3 runs) New Zealand 10/1 (RR: 1.67)
DNT Zoysa 3-1-5-1 - Dominion Road End
SP Fleming 3* (8b) NJ Astle 1* (9b)
6.1 Vaas to Fleming, two runs, angling on middle and off, Fleming is
well across the crease to glance it neatly fine, Fernando fumbles
at fine leg as the pressure's put on him with the batsmen looking
for two, and getting them easily in the end
6.2 Vaas to Fleming, no run, fuller length ball outside off stump,
Fleming comes well forward, defending firmly into the pitch, back
to the bowler
6.3 Vaas to Fleming, one run, shortish ball just angling down a bit
far, worked laconically around the corner down to fine leg with
ease
6.4 Vaas to Astle, one run, Vass strays on the legs once more, clipped
sweetly off the legs down to Zoysa at long leg
6.5 Vaas to Fleming, (noball) no run, oversteps, full and straight,
strongly driven off the legs but no further than Arnold fielding
at his feet at short midwicket
6.5 Vaas to Fleming, no run, shorter ball on leg stump, looks to work
it away as he shuffles right across the crease but misses, taken
high on the pad and draws a rather large appeal from the bowler,
but is completely unsupported, heading well down leg
6.6 Vaas to Fleming, no run, props well forward in defence, played
straight back on the off side of the pitch
End of over 7 (5 runs) New Zealand 15/1 (RR: 2.14)
WPUJC Vaas 4-2-9-0 (1nb) - Sandringham Road End
NJ Astle 2* (10b) SP Fleming 6* (14b)
7.1 Zoysa to Astle, no run, hops on the crease, defends a tight ball on
off stump down into the off side, Arnold in to field from shortish
cover point
7.2 Zoysa to Astle, no run, very full outside off stump, Astle chops
down on it late but doesn't get anything to it, straight through
to the keeper
7.3 Zoysa to Astle, no run, shoulders arms to a quick ball pushed
through full outside off stump
7.4 Zoysa to Astle, no run, props well forward in defence down the line
of a straight ball on off stump, played straight back down the
pitch
7.5 Zoysa to Astle, one run, opens the face to guide a tight ball down
to de Silva at third man
7.6 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, comes well forward, firmly stroking a
good length ball straight up to Fernando at mid off
End of over 8 (1 run) New Zealand 16/1 (RR: 2.00)
DNT Zoysa 4-1-6-1 - Dominion Road End
NJ Astle 3* (15b) SP Fleming 6* (15b)
8.1 Vaas to Astle, no run, good shortish ball on off stump, watchfully
defends from the crease back up towards mid off
8.2 Vaas to Astle, no run, well forward, defends straight up to
Jayasuriya at mid off
8.3 Vaas to Astle, (noball) one run, oversteps, shortish ball on off
stump, taps firmly down towards vacant cover, quick single taken
as Atapattu scoots across to pick up and have a shy at the
keeper's end but fires it well high over the top
8.3 Vaas to Fleming, no run, well forward looking to strongly drive
down the ground, but mistimes it, straight back down the pitch to
the bowler
8.4 Vaas to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, forced
away from the crease out towards wide mid off, easy quick run
taken as de Silva has to field to his right
8.5 Vaas to Astle, no run, shortish ball on middle and leg, turned down
to Dharmasena at forward square leg
8.6 Vaas to Astle, no run, good length ball outside off stump, Astle
tries to force it away on the back foot through cover but plays it
hard straight into the ground and up to Arnold at short cover
point
End of over 9 (3 runs) New Zealand 19/1 (RR: 2.11)
WPUJC Vaas 5-2-12-0 (2nb) - Sandringham Road End
SP Fleming 7* (17b) NJ Astle 4* (20b)
9.1 Zoysa to Fleming, one run, shortish ball down the leg side, Fleming
swivels too pull but doesn't get a whole lot of bat on to it,
dragging it down towards de Silva at fine leg
9.2 Zoysa to Astle, no run, short ball outside off stump, Astle looks
to slash it away through the covers but plays through it too soon,
playing and missing, Sangakkara feigns a catch behind the wicket,
tossing it high in the air in mock celebration as nobody supports
him
9.3 Zoysa to Astle, one run, overpitched outside off stump, powerfully
cracked up towards wide mid off, Jayasuriya makes a good sliding
stop to his left but can't prevent a quick run being taken as it
doesn't stop it dead
9.4 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, shoulders arms to a shortish ball outside
off stump
9.5 Zoysa to Fleming, one run, full outside off stump, Fleming drives a
bit early, dragging an inside edge down to de Silva at long leg
9.6 Zoysa to Astle, no run, good tight ball honing in on middle stump
from over the wicket, Astle hops back and compactly defends back
down the pitch
End of over 10 (3 runs) New Zealand 22/1 (RR: 2.20)
DNT Zoysa 5-1-9-1 - Dominion Road End
SP Fleming 9* (20b) NJ Astle 5* (23b)
10.1 Vaas to Fleming, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, Fleming
stands tall trying to force back down the ground, mistiming it up
to Jayasuriya at mid on
10.2 Vaas to Fleming, OUT: Fleming's wretched run continues, full on the
legs, picked up strongly but he doesn't bank on Muralitharan's
fine leaping catch at backward square leg stopping that from
reaching the boundary
New Zealand 22/2, Partnership of 15
SP Fleming c Muralitharan b Vaas 9 (22b 0x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 5* (23b) WPUJC Vaas 5.2-2-12-1 (2nb)
Craig McMillan the new batsman, still no sign of Vincent at the
crease
10.3 Vaas to McMillan, no run, full and straight on leg stump, driven
straight up to de Silva at mid on
10.4 Vaas to McMillan, (noball) no run, oversteps, driving outside off
stump and gets a thick edge straight to Jayawardene at first slip,
holds it into the body but drops it as he fell to the ground, the
no-ball call nullifying it in any case
10.4 Vaas to McMillan, FOUR, McMillan responds rather well to his half
let-off the ball before, overpitched outside off stump and
powerfully drives straight up the ground past the bowler on the
off side, no chance for Jayasuriya at mid off to stop that
10.5 Vaas to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, gets
another edge but this one doesn't quite carry as Sangakkara dives
to his right, they steal a single as it rebounds away from the
slip cordon
10.6 Vaas to Astle, no run, shortish ball on off stump, slapped strongly
down but straight to Arnold parrying it down in front of him at
short cover point
End of over 11 (6 runs) New Zealand 28/2 (RR: 2.55)
WPUJC Vaas 6-2-18-1 (3nb) - Sandringham Road End
CD McMillan 5* (4b 1x4) NJ Astle 5* (24b)
11.1 Zoysa to McMillan, no run, shortish straight ball, shuffles back in
the crease to defend back up on the leg side of the pitch
11.2 Zoysa to McMillan, no run, good short rising ball on off stump,
defends down into the covers from a fair height
11.3 Zoysa to McMillan, no run, full outside off stump, driven firmly
but straight up to Jayasuriya at mid off
11.4 Zoysa to McMillan, no run, McMillan misjudges a good length ball
angling away outside off stump, going for a strong drive from the
crease but never there to it, beats the outside edge through to
the keeper
11.5 Zoysa to McMillan, no run, good quick tight ball on a back of a
length on middle stump, defends away down into the covers
11.6 Zoysa to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, sits
up for McMillan to neatly guide down to de Silva at third man
End of over 12 (1 run) New Zealand 29/2 (RR: 2.42)
DNT Zoysa 6-1-10-1 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 6* (10b 1x4) NJ Astle 5* (24b)
the first bowling change comes, with Dilhara Fernando replacing
Vaas after a spell of 1-18 from 6 overs at the Sandringham Road
End
12.1 Fernando to McMillan, no run, full outside off stump, clunked
strongly down the ground but straight up to Jayasuriya at mid off
12.2 Fernando to McMillan, one run, driving outside off stump, runs a
thick outside edge down to third man
12.3 Fernando to Astle, FOUR, Astle has a mighty heave outside off
stump, lifting a thick edge over backward point, just pitching
inside the boundary and away, well wide of third man
12.4 Fernando to Astle, two runs, a bit full and down the leg side,
clipped nicely through midwicket to pick up an easy couple as de
Silva has to field from mid on
12.5 Fernando to Astle, FOUR, too short outside off stump, strongly
slammed down through point, the fielders give up the chase quickly
as it rockets to the CricInfo.com hoarding on the boundary once
more
12.6 Fernando to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
again as Astle's suddenly in the groove, but this time it's played
straight up to Jayasuriya atmid off
End of over 13 (11 runs) New Zealand 40/2 (RR: 3.08)
RD Fernando 1-0-11-0 - Sandringham Road End
CD McMillan 7* (12b 1x4) NJ Astle 15* (28b 2x4)
11 from Fernando's opening over as Astle at last receives some
sustained strike and takes full advantage of it
13.1 Zoysa to McMillan, no run, McMillan plays a dangerous drive and
miss to one that angles back in, flicking the pad on its way
through to the keeper, Arnold at short cover appeals before the
bowler does before Zoysa joins in, a bit high but not bad
not the right shot selection early from McMillan, certainly living
very dangerously
13.2 Zoysa to McMillan, two runs, this time driving again but gets a
thick outside edge that flies well wide of the slips down to de
Silva at third man, making a terrible hash of it at his feet and
conceding a second run in the process
13.3 Zoysa to McMillan, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
on the off side, up towards wide mid off, easy single with the
shot as Jayasuriya fields to his left
13.4 Zoysa to Astle, no run, jumps down the track to try and pick one up
over the top but it's not quite there for him, dropped a little
shorter, adjusts the stroke and firmly drives into the covers
13.5 Zoysa to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, driven strongly
straight up to Jayasuriya at mid off
13.6 Zoysa to Astle, no run, angling on leg stump, turned away straight
to Dharmasena at square leg
End of over 14 (3 runs) New Zealand 43/2 (RR: 3.07)
DNT Zoysa 7-1-13-1 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 10* (15b 1x4) NJ Astle 15* (31b 2x4)
14.1 Fernando to McMillan, one run, full outside off stump, square
drives hard into the ground, bouncing out to Jayawardene at deep
point
14.2 Fernando to Astle, two runs, a bit overpitched outside off stump,
driven hard into the ground out through vacant cover, Jayawardene
around in the deep to field once more
14.3 Fernando to Astle, one run, outside off stump once more, and
Jayawardene's busy for the third time in the over, cut away out
towards deep point
14.4 Fernando to McMillan, no run, shuffles across in the crease,
shouldering arms outside off stump
14.5 Fernando to McMillan, wide: no run, short climbing ball well wide
down the leg side, McMillan has a token look at it but leaves well
alone
14.5 Fernando to McMillan, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump to
ne that nips back a little way from comfortably wide outside off
14.6 Fernando to McMillan, no run, quicker ball pushed through full as
McMillan looks to clip it away on the leg side, taken low on the
pad and rebounds away towards point, Fernando enquires of umpire
Watkin but turned down as it's well outside the line
End of over 15 (5 runs) New Zealand 48/2 (RR: 3.20)
RD Fernando 2-0-16-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
NJ Astle 18* (33b 2x4) CD McMillan 11* (19b 1x4)
time for the first drinks break, with this pair recovering the
situation somewhat after another poor early start as Zoysa has
again impressed while Vaas has slotted straight back into the team
perfectly
the fielding restrictions were lifted at the end of the previous
over (14), as opposed to the normal 15, enabling Fernando to bowl
a slightly cheaper second over as the point region was protected
in the deep
Mutiah Muralitharan comes into the bowling attack, replacing Zoysa
at the Dominion Road End
15.1 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, flighted up full, comes well
forward, driving straight up to Atapattu at mid on
15.2 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, well forward, driving straight back
down the pitch to the bowler
15.3 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, props well forward, turns into the
front pad, dropping down in close on the leg side
15.4 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, poking forward weakly in defence at
a ball outside off stump sloding straight through, just stays
inside the line
15.5 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, stretches a long way forward,
defending back down the track to the bowler
15.6 Muralitharan to Astle, one run, shortish ball tight on off stump,
Astle cuts hard down on it, getting it away fine for a single as
short third man has to dive to his left to field on the circle
edge
End of over 16 (1 run) New Zealand 49/2 (RR: 3.06)
M Muralitharan 1-0-1-0 - Dominion Road End
NJ Astle 19* (39b 2x4) CD McMillan 11* (19b 1x4)
16.1 Fernando to Astle, no run, quick ball outside off stump, drives a
little on the up, played straight to Jayasuriya at mid off
16.2 Fernando to Astle, no run, full and straight, pushed back up on the
off side in defence
16.3 Fernando to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, slashes
and misses as it drifts away wider through to the keeper
16.4 Fernando to Astle, one run, short ball outside off stump, cuts hard
in the air, just over the leaping Muralitharan at backward point,
almost plucking a similar catch to that which dismissed Fleming,
down to third man
16.5 Fernando to McMillan, no run, quicker ball hurries through on
McMillan who's somewhat crease bound, only shuffling half forward
late with teh bat tucked behind the front pad, comes back in a
littel and brings an appeal from the bowler, but struck outside
the line
16.6 Fernando to McMillan, wide: no run, short rising ball going well
away outside off stump, cuts and misses from the crease as it
climbs quite a lot, signalled wide as it kept angling too far away
16.6 Fernando to McMillan, no run, leaves alone a straighter ball on a
similar length outside off stump through to the keeper
End of over 17 (2 runs) New Zealand 51/2 (RR: 3.00)
RD Fernando 3-0-18-0 (2w) - Sandringham Road End
NJ Astle 20* (43b 2x4) CD McMillan 11* (21b 1x4)
17.1 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, flighted invitingly outside off
stump, watchfully stroked along the ground straight to sub fielder
Gunawardene at extra cover
17.2 Muralitharan to Astle, FOUR, a bit shorter outside off stump, sits
up a little and Astle is quickly to the cut shot, strongly down
through cover point past the diving infielder, Gunawardene chases
to no avail, the outfield is quick today
17.3 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, props well forward in defence,
dropping it down in close on the off side
17.4 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, similar again, this time playing
more from the pad in defence as he stretches well forward outside
off stump
17.5 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, forward, defends from the middle of
the bat this time, to de Silva at short cover
17.6 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, forward to another tidy ball on off
stump, played down to de Silva again
End of over 18 (4 runs) New Zealand 55/2 (RR: 3.06)
M Muralitharan 2-0-5-0 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 11* (21b 1x4) NJ Astle 24* (49b 3x4)
18.1 Fernando to McMillan, one run, shortish ball just outside off
stump, opens the face and guides it away nicely just backward of
point into a gap to allow the single
18.2 Fernando to Astle, SIX, dances down the track, latches perfectly on
to a Fernando length ball and slams it hard and flat up into the
North Stand, about 10 rows back at extra cover, powerful blow!
18.3 Fernando to Astle, one run, good reply! quick short rising straight
ball, Astle awkwardly jumps on the crease to deal with it,
spooning it away towards vacant square leg as he turned on the
crease, ballooning away but quite safely
18.4 Fernando to McMillan, no run, short pitched delivery that doesn't
get up quite as much as the others, McMillan ducks a long way
underneath it, the crowd boo as it passes through to the keeper
but it never got up to any great heights
18.5 Fernando to McMillan, no run, full and straight, firmly driven back
up on the off side of the pitch
18.6 Fernando to McMillan, one run, good tight short rising ball on off
stump, just manages to snick it wide of the keeper through vacant
first slip, third man is set quite straight so only the single on
offer
End of over 19 (9 runs) New Zealand 64/2 (RR: 3.37)
RD Fernando 4-0-27-0 (2w) - Sandringham Road End
CD McMillan 13* (25b 1x4) NJ Astle 31* (51b 3x4 1x6)
19.1 Muralitharan to McMillan, no run, jumps a long way down the track
but it's not there to hit, has to thrust the front pad at it,
kicking away on the leg side
19.2 Muralitharan to McMillan, no run, goes right back to a shorter ball
on off stump, taps it away to short third man
19.3 Muralitharan to McMillan, FOUR, flighted up a bit full, swung away
in the air through backward square leg, just bouncing inside the
short boundary, and past the diving outfielder as it bounces over
him into the side of the North Stand
19.4 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, down the track, looking to loft
over the covers but plays it somewhat top edgily, just pitching in
the outfield short of Gunawardene charging in a bit late from deep
cover
19.5 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, flighted full, defends down in close
on the leg side with bat/pad
19.6 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, looks to sweep a flatter, straight
ball, into the pad and draws a stifled appeal from the bowler,
well down leg
End of over 20 (5 runs) New Zealand 69/2 (RR: 3.45)
M Muralitharan 3-0-10-0 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 18* (29b 2x4) NJ Astle 31* (53b 3x4 1x6)
20.1 Fernando to McMillan, one run, fair length ball outside off stump,
slapped through vacant cover point on the up, Jayawardene around
in the deep to field
20.2 Fernando to Astle, no run, short ball outside off stump, hops on
the crease and slaps it down hard into the ground, straight to
Arnold at cover point
20.3 Fernando to Astle, no run, better length ball on off stump,
watchfully strokes it down from bat into pad, towards point
20.4 Fernando to Astle, no run, pushes it through a little quicker and
full on off stump, Astle pushes forward in defence but inside
edges into the pad, rebounds away on the leg side as Fernando
appeals briefly
20.5 Fernando to Astle, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, wristily
turned down to Zoysa at long leg
20.6 Fernando to McMillan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
McMillan prods forward in defence back down the pitch walking
forward into the shot, has to skip back into his crease though in
no danger
End of over 21 (2 runs) New Zealand 71/2 (RR: 3.38)
RD Fernando 5-0-29-0 (2w) - Sandringham Road End
NJ Astle 32* (57b 3x4 1x6) CD McMillan 19* (31b 2x4)
21.1 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, flighted well up outside off stump,
stretches forward to defend quietly down in close on the off side,
de Silva fields from short cover
21.2 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, reaching well forward in defence to
a quicker flat ball bowled much straighter, into the pad as he
defends, drops down in close on the leg side
21.3 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, flighted up a bit too straight,
Astle sweeps strongly around the corner but straight to short fine
leg
21.4 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, well forward, defends quietly back
on the off side of the pitch
21.5 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, props forward in defence to a ball
drifting back in from outside off stump, played down square on the
off isde, briefly looks for a sharp run but McMillan doesn't want
it
21.6 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, forward, defends compactly back on
the off side of the pitch, Muralitharan completes a maiden
End of over 22 (maiden) New Zealand 71/2 (RR: 3.23)
M Muralitharan 4-1-10-0 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 19* (31b 2x4) NJ Astle 32* (63b 3x4 1x6)
Sanath Jayasuriya brings himself on, replacing Fernando after a
spell of 0-29 from 5 overs at the Sandringham Road End
22.1 Jayasuriya to McMillan, no run, pushes it through flat and quick
first up, taken on the pad as he looks to work it square on the
leg side, sharp appeal for lbw from the bowler, going down leg
22.2 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, pushing forward outside off stump,
inside edge into the pad and rebounds away towards point, brings
up the 50 partnership
22.3 Jayasuriya to Astle, no run, well forward, defends back on the off
side of the pitch
22.4 Jayasuriya to Astle, no run, angling down the leg side, tries to
clip it away but misses, rebounds towards short fine leg from the
pad
22.5 Jayasuriya to Astle, wide: no run, quick short ball down the leg
side, Astle tries to pull what is effectively a spinner's bouncer
but misses, Sangakkara juggles the take and then both cheekily
appeal for a catch before umpire Watkin signals a wide
22.5 Jayasuriya to Astle, no run, tries to sweep down the leg side but
taken on the pad, away to Atapattu at short fine leg
22.6 Jayasuriya to Astle, one run, flighted full on leg stump, turned
away out to Gunawardene at deep midwicket
End of over 23 (3 runs) New Zealand 74/2 (RR: 3.22)
ST Jayasuriya 1-0-3-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
NJ Astle 33* (67b 3x4 1x6) CD McMillan 20* (33b 2x4)
23.1 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
watchfully squeezed back down the pitch on the leg side in defence
23.2 Muralitharan to Astle, no run, Astle jumps forward but quickly
realises he's nowhere near to it and has to stop and play back,
defending down in close on the off side
23.3 Muralitharan to Astle, OUT: flighted full, goes for a sweep from
outside off stump, gets a faint underedge on its way through to
the front pad, rebounding up in the air for Sangakkara to collect
behind
New Zealand 74/3, Partnership of 52
NJ Astle c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 33 (70b 3x4 1x6)
CD McMillan 20* (33b 2x4) M Muralitharan 4.3-1-10-1
Astle chastises himself for getting out in such fashion just as the
partnership was starting to build momentum until Muralitharan's
introduction has put on the breaks somewhat
Lou Vincent at last walks to the crease, making his One-Day
International debut at his slightly less accustomed batting
position of No 5
23.4 Muralitharan to Vincent, no run, props well forward in defence to a
flighted ball on off stump, turns sharply into the front pad and
rebounds to Jayawardene under the helmet at silly point
23.5 Muralitharan to Vincent, no run, stretches well forward in defence
to a straighter ball, played back down the pitch with bat/pad
23.6 Muralitharan to Vincent, no run, well forward, defends safely
straight back down the pitch to the bowler, and survives out the
over in a tricky situation for a newcomer
End of over 24 (maiden) New Zealand 74/3 (RR: 3.08)
M Muralitharan 5-2-10-1 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 20* (33b 2x4) L Vincent 0* (3b)
24.1 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, flighted full on the toes, driven
down to Muralitharan coming in from long on to field
24.2 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, flighted up straight, Vincent
confidently sweeps down through backward square leg to gets his
first run in ODIs
24.3 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, shorter ball on leg stump, worked
away towards vacant midwicket, looking for a quick second as the
field's a little slow to get to it but they wisely decide not to
take the risk at this stage
24.4 Jayasuriya to Vincent, no run, sweeps fine around the corner,
straight to Atapattu at short fine leg
24.5 Jayasuriya to Vincent, no run, works a shorter ball just backward
of square leg, Vincent half sets off for a single but is sent back
by McMillan, almost slips over as he stops and turns but gets back
quite safely in the end
24.6 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
nudged away towards vacant cover point for an easy single to
retain the strike
End of over 25 (4 runs) New Zealand 78/3 (RR: 3.12)
ST Jayasuriya 2-0-7-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
L Vincent 2* (7b) CD McMillan 22* (35b 2x4)
Kumar Dharmasena replaces Muralitharan at the Dominion Road End
after a spell of 1-10 from 5 overs
25.1 Dharmasena to Vincent, no run, flighted up full, strongly clipped
off the toes on the leg side but can't quite get it past a good
save by Jayawardene roaming across at midwicket
25.2 Dharmasena to Vincent, no run, well forward, defends back on the
off side of the pitch with bat/pad
25.3 Dharmasena to Vincent, no run, props awkwardly forward to defend a
flatter ball, plays it somewhat leading edgily back on the off
side of the pitch in defence
25.4 Dharmasena to Vincent, no run, sweeps at a full ball outside off
that goes through flatter, missing, just dragging the back foot
out of the crease and sliding it back in, Sangakkara whips off the
bails and appeals confidently for the stumping, but after a fair
few replays he's given
the green light, just adjudged to have a smidgen of his back toe
inside the creaseline
25.5 Dharmasena to Vincent, no run, forward, defends back on the off
side of the pitch
25.6 Dharmasena to Vincent, one run, sweeps a straighter ball down
through backward square leg, slipping over looking to turn for a
possible second at the non-striker's end
End of over 26 (1 run) New Zealand 79/3 (RR: 3.04)
HDPK Dharmasena 1-0-1-0 - Dominion Road End
L Vincent 3* (13b) CD McMillan 22* (35b 2x4)
26.1 Jayasuriya to Vincent, no run, props forward in defence, dead
batting a shortish ball down in close on the off side of the pitch
26.2 Jayasuriya to Vincent, no run, sweeping once more, this time
jamming down on a rather full one into the toe, pops up on the leg
side but clear of the keeper Sangakkara diving away to his left to
try and take it
26.3 Jayasuriya to Vincent, no run, full outside off stump, driven
straight to Jayawardene at cover
26.4 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, sweeps once more, dragged around
the corner from outside off stump, Atapattu dives to half stop it
to his left at short fine leg, but can't prevent the single as he
parries it well away from his body
26.5 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, flighted up full, driven straight
down to sub fielder Gunawardene at long on
26.6 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, flighted up on middle and leg,
sweeps yet again, this time all the way out to Dharmasena at long
leg
End of over 27 (3 runs) New Zealand 82/3 (RR: 3.04)
ST Jayasuriya 3-0-10-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
L Vincent 5* (18b) CD McMillan 23* (36b 2x4)
27.1 Dharmasena to Vincent, one run, the umpteenth sweep from Vincent,
played out to deep backward square leg
27.2 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, driven straight up the ground on
the leg side, down to Atapattu at long on
27.3 Dharmasena to Vincent, one run, not surprisingly, he employs the
sweep to the off spinner again, down to deep backward square leg
27.4 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, flatter on leg stump, worked away
through midwicket, looking for a second but they wisely don't go
as Jayawardene's in quickly from the deep to field
27.5 Dharmasena to Vincent, no run, forward, defends back on the off
side of the pitch
27.6 Dharmasena to Vincent, no run, props well forward, defending down
in close on the off side
End of over 28 (4 runs) New Zealand 86/3 (RR: 3.07)
HDPK Dharmasena 2-0-5-0 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 25* (38b 2x4) L Vincent 7* (22b)
28.1 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, full outside off stump, forced out
through backward point, Zoysa fields out in the deep
28.2 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, flighted up on leg stump, Vincent
sweeps again, strongly down to Dharmasena at deep backward square
leg
28.3 Jayasuriya to McMillan, two runs, flatter straight ball, driven
straight down to Gunawardene at long on, a shocking lobbed return
through from the outfielder to thekeeper sees it fumbled away
towards Atapattu at short fine leg and they nab a sharp overthrow,
McMillan beating home the
direct hit at the keeper's end from Atapattu
28.4 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, worked away backward of square leg
from the legs
28.5 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, now Vincent gets fancy McMillan-
style, reverse swept off the face rather fine, but a good save at
short third man keeps it down to one
28.6 Jayasuriya to McMillan, no run, forward, drives it straight back on
the off side of the pitch
End of over 29 (6 runs) New Zealand 92/3 (RR: 3.17)
ST Jayasuriya 4-0-16-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
L Vincent 9* (24b) CD McMillan 29* (42b 2x4)
29.1 Dharmasena to Vincent, one run, down the track, driving strongly
down to Vaas at long off, the first shot confidently forward of
square for Vincent in his 10 singles
29.2 Dharmasena to McMillan, no run, straight and flat, pushed straight
back down the pitch to the bowler
29.3 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, worked away off the legs out to
deep backward square leg
29.4 Dharmasena to Vincent, one run, Vincent sweeps again, out to Arnold
on the deep backward square leg boundary
29.5 Dharmasena to McMillan, no run, flat and straight on off stump,
forced to stroke it straight back down the pitch to Dharmasena
29.6 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, angling a bit too straight down
the leg side, worked away out towards long leg, Arnold into the
action once more
End of over 30 (4 runs) New Zealand 96/3 (RR: 3.20)
HDPK Dharmasena 3-0-9-0 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 31* (46b 2x4) L Vincent 11* (26b)
30.1 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, shortish ball on the legs, worked
out through backward square, Dharmasena in from the boundary to
field
30.2 Jayasuriya to Vincent, FOUR, Vincent's proactive, the time for more
than singles may have come, well forward down to a flighted ball,
swingly it strongly over mid on, pitching a couple of metres
inside the boundary at vacant long on, and trickling over
a nice way to bring up the lethargic New Zealand 100 in 185 balls
30.3 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, flighted full down the leg side,
swept strongly down to Dharmasena at deep backward square leg
30.4 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, full outside off stump, driven
straight down to Arnold at long off
30.5 Jayasuriya to Vincent, one run, sweeps strongly once more, this
time much squarer, out to Vaas at deep midwicket
30.6 Jayasuriya to McMillan, one run, shortish ball on off stump, worked
away out through cover point, looking for a second but the deep
fielder's in quickly to prevent it
End of over 31 (9 runs) New Zealand 105/3 (RR: 3.39)
ST Jayasuriya 5-0-25-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
CD McMillan 34* (49b 2x4) L Vincent 17* (29b 1x4)
31.1 Dharmasena to McMillan, no run, flighted up full, strongly driven
straight back down the pitch, Dharmasena fielding usefully off his
own bowling
31.2 Dharmasena to McMillan, no run, flat ball on leg stump, worked off
the legs to Muralitharan at midwicket
31.3 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, driven straight down the ground to
long on
31.4 Dharmasena to Vincent, OUT: Vincent sweeps once too often and pays
the price, flat ball angling well down the leg side but he
attacked it, only able to get a big loopy top edge straight to
Jayasuriya waiting safely under it at short fine leg
New Zealand 106/4, Partnership of 32
L Vincent c Jayasuriya b Dharmasena 17 (30b 1x4 0x6)
CD McMillan 35* (52b 2x4) HDPK Dharmasena 3.4-0-10-1
Jacob Oram the new batsman, getting a chance a little bit higher in
the order this time around
31.5 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, very full and flat, jammed down on,
squeezing it back out down the pitch to the bowler
31.6 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, shorter, flat ball, played back down
the pitch off the back foot to the bowler
End of over 32 (1 run) New Zealand 106/4 (RR: 3.31)
HDPK Dharmasena 4-0-10-1 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 35* (52b 2x4) JDP Oram 0* (2b)
Muralitharan returns, replacing Jayasuriya after a spell of 0-25
from 5 overs at the Sandringham Road End
32.1 Muralitharan to McMillan, no run, has a dabble at a tight ball
outside off stump, plays and misses
32.2 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flighted full, driven straight
down to Arnold at long on
32.3 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, reaching forward outside off stump,
defends down away backward of point to Jayasuriya
32.4 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, squared right around but a
beautifully deceitful delivery, turning sharply away past the
closed face of the bat after pitching on off stump
32.5 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
guided away down to Vaas at short third man
32.6 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, forward, defends away square on the
off side
End of over 33 (1 run) New Zealand 107/4 (RR: 3.24)
M Muralitharan 6-2-11-1 - Sandringham Road End
CD McMillan 36* (54b 2x4) JDP Oram 0* (6b)
time for the second drinks break
33.1 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, flighted up on leg stump, turned
out through vacant midwicket for an easy single, Fernando in from
the deep to field
33.2 Dharmasena to Oram, legbye: one run, angling on leg stump, drops it
down square on the leg side from the pad, quick single taken as
Sangakkara comes around to field and fires at the bowler's end
with one glove on, and missing
33.3 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, driven straight down to Atapattu
at long off
33.4 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, plays and misses at a good tight ball
outside off stump
33.5 Dharmasena to Oram, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly cut away through vacant point, well run second as
Fernando comes around from deep cover to field and doesn't send
back a good return to the keeper
33.6 Dharmasena to Oram, FOUR, down the track, strongly slammed through
the covers past the single man inside the circle in that region,
no protection in the deep either and away it goes, a welcome
relieving boundary for the New Zealanders
End of over 34 (9 runs) New Zealand 116/4 (RR: 3.41)
HDPK Dharmasena 5-0-18-1 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 38* (56b 2x4) JDP Oram 6* (10b 1x4)
34.1 Muralitharan to McMillan, three runs, defetly opens the face to
glide a ball outside off stump very fine, Atapattu has to turn and
chase from short third man, just sliding to stop it inside the
rope, Oram back easily for the third
34.2 Muralitharan to Oram, one run, shortish ball on off stump, tapped
away backward of point for a good short single
34.3 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, worked off the legs to vacant
square leg, the same physical spot on the field as the previous
ball, and another good sharp single is taken, though McMillan had
to scamper as it was throw to the bowler's end
34.4 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, shortish ball, tries to pull but
misses, into the body and drops at his toes
34.5 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, gropes forward at a lovely turning
ball outside off stump going away from the edge, quickly snuck the
back foot inside the crease before Sangakkara whipped off the
bails
34.6 Muralitharan to Oram, one run, swept strongly out to Fernando at
deep midwicket
End of over 35 (6 runs) New Zealand 122/4 (RR: 3.49)
M Muralitharan 7-2-17-1 - Sandringham Road End
JDP Oram 8* (14b 1x4) CD McMillan 42* (58b 2x4)
35.1 Dharmasena to Oram, one run, turned out to Jayawardene at deep
midwicket
35.2 Dharmasena to McMillan, no run, shortish ball on leg stump, flicks
it fine but can't get it past Jayasuriya at short fine leg,
whipping in a hard flat throw before McMillan considers the dicey
single
35.3 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, shortish ball on off stump,
strongly slapped down out to Jayawardene at deep cover
35.4 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, jumps well forward out of his crease
but is never quite to the pitch of it, has to bail out and kick it
away, balloons up on the leg side as de Silva charges in from
midwicket to field on the bounce
35.5 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, Oram swings and misses playing somewhat
in nowhereland, turned back and just shaved past outside off stump
leaving it unharmed
35.6 Dharmasena to Oram, one run, beaten by a quicker ball trying to
work it to leg, balloons off the pad away towards vacant short
third man, they grab the consolation run
End of over 36 (3 runs) New Zealand 125/4 (RR: 3.47)
HDPK Dharmasena 6-0-21-1 - Dominion Road End
JDP Oram 10* (18b 1x4) CD McMillan 43* (60b 2x4)
36.1 Muralitharan to Oram, one run, tight ball on off stump, dabbed away
towards point, they look for a quick run but stop and quickly get
back into their creases, a direct hit is fired at the keeper's end
by Jayasuriya with Oram safely in his crease, the ricochet drops
down in close on
the leg side and they grab the run anyway as it drops well short of
any fielders
36.2 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flatter ball on leg stump,
turned away through backward square leg
36.3 Muralitharan to Oram, no run, plays and misses at a good tight ball
turning away outside off stump
36.4 Muralitharan to Oram, OUT: pushed through very full, Oram drives it
very hard back down the pitch but straight into Muralitharan who
takes a sharp catch into his stomach
New Zealand 127/5, Partnership of 21
JDP Oram c & b Muralitharan 11 (21b 1x4 0x6)
CD McMillan 44* (61b 2x4) M Muralitharan 7.4-2-19-2
Chris Harris comes out to the crease to his trademark tune, "Eye of
the Tiger" to rapturous applause, the crowd realising "Houdini
Harry" has to pluck another one from the ether to give New Zealand
a fighting chance in the series
36.5 Muralitharan to Harris, one run, off the mark immediately, turning
one away out through backward square leg to the deep
36.6 Muralitharan to McMillan, SIX, clearly unconcerned with teh
dismissal of Oram two balls prior, McMillan fair launches into a
full flighted ball, sending it sailing a long way over wide long
on, into the second tier of the West Stand to bring up his 50 off
62 balls, 2x4, 1x6 and set
End of over 37 (9 runs) New Zealand 134/5 (RR: 3.62)
M Muralitharan 8-2-26-2 - Sandringham Road End
CZ Harris 1* (1b) CD McMillan 50* (62b 2x4 1x6)
the crowd alight
37.1 Dharmasena to Harris, one run, flighted up from around the wicket,
angling in on off stump, Harris smartly leans forward on it,
dropping it down in close on the off side for a good quick run
with the shot as Muralitharan has to field from the circle edge at
midwicket
37.2 Dharmasena to McMillan, no run, flat and full, driven strongly back
down the pitch on the leg side to the bowler
37.3 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, forced back down the ground on the
leg side again, this time just wide of the bowler down to Atapattu
at long on
37.4 Dharmasena to Harris, one run, stretches well forward to one
outside off stump, turned around the corner down towards vacant
short fine leg, Arnold hurries in from long leg to field before
they try on a cheeky second
37.5 Dharmasena to McMillan, no run, shortish ball, forced off the back
foot straight back down the pitch to the bowler
37.6 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, shortish ball, forced off the back
foot down to long on
End of over 38 (4 runs) New Zealand 138/5 (RR: 3.63)
HDPK Dharmasena 7-0-25-1 - Dominion Road End
CD McMillan 52* (66b 2x4 1x6) CZ Harris 3* (3b)
38.1 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flighted full on the legs, well
clipped away past the diving Dharmasena at midwicket, they can't
steal a second as Vaas is quickly in from the deep to return
38.2 Muralitharan to Harris, two runs, super cricket from Harris, fast
ball outside off stump, drops it down to vacant midwicket,
absolutely nobody inside the circle within cooee of it, Fernando
has a long way to come in from midwicket and they grab the easiest
of twos
38.3 Muralitharan to Harris, one run, flighted up rather full outside
off stump, driven down to Arnold at wide long off
38.4 Muralitharan to McMillan, SIX, McMillan's rather enjoying the
bowling of Muralitharan now! flighted up full on his legs, swung
away hard and high over backward square leg, Vaas is merely a
spectator in the deep
38.5 Muralitharan to McMillan, legbye: one run, stabs forward at a full
ball, into the pad and drops away towards square leg, Harris calls
McMillan through for a quick single but McMillan's struggling,
Sangakarra raced to it from behind the stumps and fired it to
Muralitharan at the other end,
but he fails to break the stumps with the ball in hand, and
indicates it was indeed his palm that touched it with McMillan
diving home
38.6 Muralitharan to Harris, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
cut out to Vaas at deep cover point, bringing up the 150 off 237
balls
End of over 39 (12 runs) New Zealand 150/5 (RR: 3.85)
M Muralitharan 9-2-37-2 - Sandringham Road End
CZ Harris 7* (6b) CD McMillan 59* (69b 2x4 2x6)
39.1 Dharmasena to Harris, one run, swept away fine to short fine leg,
Harris scampers back for a second as Arnold has a fair way to
sprint in from fine leg to field, but the throw is accurate and
Sangakkara drags it back on to the stumps as Harris dives into his
crease
the third umpire is called for by umpire Watkin, and it's very,
very close, as Harris slid his bat it bumped up in the air over
the line as the stumps were broken, and umpire Billy Bowden in the
third umpire's box says he's on his way
New Zealand 151/6, Partnership of 24
CZ Harris run out (Arnold) 8 (7b 0x4 0x6)
though the laws dictate that he only needs to have slid part of his
bat over the line before it jumps up and he's still safe, it was
rather marginal and umpire Bowden has given the benefit of the
doubt in favour of Sri Lanka
Adam Parore the new batsman
39.2 Dharmasena to Parore, no run, forward to a full ball, pushed back
on the leg side of the pitch
39.3 Dharmasena to Parore, no run, turned off the legs straight to
Muralitharan at midwicket
39.4 Dharmasena to Parore, one run, down the track, driven straight down
the ground to Atapattu at long on
39.5 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, shorter pitched ball angling on
leg stump, quietly turned away forward of Muralitharan at wide
midwicket, easy single milked
39.6 Dharmasena to Parore, one run, walks down the track to drive
straight down the ground, Atapattu up from long on to field just
outside the circle
End of over 40 (4 runs) New Zealand 154/6 (RR: 3.85)
HDPK Dharmasena 8-0-29-1 - Dominion Road End
AC Parore 2* (4b) CD McMillan 60* (70b 2x4 2x6)
Vaas returns, replacing Muralitharan at the Sandringham Road End
40.1 Vaas to Parore, OUT: and has immediate success! angling well away
wide outside off stump, Parore just guides it on its way through
to the keeper and the simplest of catches is completed
New Zealand 154/7, Partnership of 3
AC Parore c Sangakkara b Vaas 2 (5b 0x4 0x6)
CD McMillan 60* (70b 2x4 2x6) WPUJC Vaas 6.1-2-18-2 (3nb)
Daniel Vettori the new batsman, with New Zealand still having 41
balls in hand, but only three wickets left, it will have to be
carefully managed, and somehow trying to get to the 200 mark
40.2 Vaas to Vettori, no run, good quick tight ball angling in on off
stump, defended out to Muralitharan at midwicket
40.3 Vaas to Vettori, no run, another good ball keeps Vettori quiet,
defending down to de Silva in the covers
40.4 Vaas to Vettori, one run, shortish ball turned down towards vacant
forward square leg, quick run taken easily as Muralitharan fields
from midwicket
40.5 Vaas to McMillan, no run, short, quicker ball a bit wide outside
off stump, tries to cut it away backward of point but plays a bit
late on it, missing through to the keeper
40.6 Vaas to McMillan, (noball) no run, oversteps, quicker ball even
still, McMillan cuts and misses over the top of it, taken low down
by Sangakkara
40.6 Vaas to McMillan, no run, full and straight, firmly driven back
down the pitch, Vaas just gets his body in the way, stopping it
and it rebounds away towards cover
End of over 41 (2 runs) New Zealand 156/7 (RR: 3.80)
WPUJC Vaas 7-2-20-2 (4nb) - Sandringham Road End
DL Vettori 1* (3b) CD McMillan 60* (73b 2x4 2x6)
an excellent over at this stage of the game for Sri Lanka, just 2
runs and a wicket off it
41.1 Dharmasena to Vettori, one run, flat ball outside off stump, cut
straight down to Fernando at short third man, quick single taken
with the shot, McMillan comfortably beating the throw to the
keeper's end
41.2 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, jumps down the track but
Dharmasena keeps it flat and tight, forced to play it down to
Atapattu at long on and accept the single
41.3 Dharmasena to Vettori, one run, shortish ball kept very flat,
Vettori pulls away out to Vaas at deep midwicket
41.4 Dharmasena to McMillan, OUT: McMillan plays a horror shot, giving
himself room to one went straight on, hits halfway up middle stump
and McMillan has to walk off, giving away his wicket far too soon
given the situation
New Zealand 159/8, Partnership of 5
CD McMillan b Dharmasena 61 (75b 2x4 2x6)
DL Vettori 3* (5b) HDPK Dharmasena 8.4-0-32-2
a fine knock nonetheless, but a bit irresponsible to get out with
still 32 balls left to bowl in the innings and only two wickets
now in hand
Dharmasena is well congratulated by his team-mates, bringing up his
100th wicket in One-Day Internationals
James Franklin the new batsman
41.5 Dharmasena to Franklin, no run, stretches well down the pitch,
defending with bat/pad back down the wicket to the bowler
41.6 Dharmasena to Franklin, one run, pushes forward outside off stump
with bat/pad, tapping it away towards vacant cover, quick single
taken with the shot as mid on sprints up to field but can't pick
up cleanly
End of over 42 (4 runs) New Zealand 160/8 (RR: 3.81)
HDPK Dharmasena 9-0-33-2 - Dominion Road End
JEC Franklin 1* (2b) DL Vettori 3* (5b)
Muralitharan returns after just one Vaas over costing 2 and
containing a wicket at the Sandringham Road End
42.1 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
through to the keeper
42.2 Muralitharan to Franklin, one run, flighted full outside off stump,
driven down to Zoysa at long off
42.3 Muralitharan to Vettori, one run, sweeps and gets a big top edge,
drops away safely to vacant short fine leg, they look for a second
but after much indecision don't go as Dharmasena fields quickly
from short third man
42.4 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, good tight ball probing in on off
stump, unable to get it away, dropping it down in close to the
side of the pitch
42.5 Muralitharan to Franklin, two runs, swept strongly through backward
square leg, two fielders converge in the deep but Franklin runs
hard and well to get back for the second on the throw
42.6 Muralitharan to Franklin, no run, forward, defends down on the leg
side of the pitch as it turns into the pad
End of over 43 (4 runs) New Zealand 164/8 (RR: 3.81)
M Muralitharan 10-2-41-2 - Sandringham Road End
DL Vettori 4* (6b) JEC Franklin 4* (7b)
Muralitharan completes a fine spell of 2-41 from 10 overs
43.1 Dharmasena to Vettori, legbye: one run, shuffles right back to one
angling in on off stump, taken on the pad, huge appeal for lbw but
turned down, umpire Cowie indicating it's going down leg, but it
was very tight
they sprint the quick leg bye as it trickles to short third man,
Vettori has to scurry to the bowler's end as it was Franklin's
call, but makes it just in time
43.2 Dharmasena to Franklin, no run, forward, pushes down in close on
the off side of the pitch, unable to get it away
43.3 Dharmasena to Franklin, OUT: and another one bites the dust,
Franklin driving all around one turning right back and cleaning up
the stumps
New Zealand 165/9, Partnership of 6
JEC Franklin b Dharmasena 4 (9b 0x4 0x6)
DL Vettori 4* (7b) HDPK Dharmasena 9.3-0-33-3
New Zealand crumbling away poorly now, losing their last 4 wickets
for 14 runs in 27 balls, and in real danger of not batting out
their overs now
Chris Martin, a genuine No 11, the last man to the crease with 27
balls still to face out
43.4 Dharmasena to Martin, no run, watchfully forward, defends away to
Muralitharan at cover
43.5 Dharmasena to Martin, no run, well forward to a flat, full ball in
defence, played back quietly on the off side of the pitch with a
deadened bat
43.6 Dharmasena to Martin, no run, stretching well forward, watchfully
defending straight back along the pitch
End of over 44 (1 run, maiden) New Zealand 165/9 (RR: 3.75)
HDPK Dharmasena 10-1-33-3 - Dominion Road End
DL Vettori 4* (7b) CS Martin 0* (3b)
Vaas returns to replace Muralitharan again at the Sandringham Road
End
44.1 Vaas to Vettori, no run, good sharp rising ball from a back of a
length, tucks Vettori up well as he fends it back on the leg side
of the pitch, from a leading edge but just pops into clear space
up to mid on
44.2 Vaas to Vettori, no run, driven straight up to Zoysa at mid off
44.3 Vaas to Vettori, FOUR, clever shot! short lifting ball outside off
stump, uses the pace and bounce and guides it away in teh air over
the empty slips cordon, third man is too wide to cut it off
44.4 Vaas to Vettori, (noball) SIX, oversteps, and to add insult to
injury Vettori latches on to him, jumping outside leg stump to
free the arms, and lofting over point, and Jayawardene can only
watch it land over his head and the boundary!
44.4 Vaas to Vettori, no run, shortish ball on off stump, dropped down
square on the off side, Martin briefly looks for a run but Vettori
yells at him to stay at home
44.5 Vaas to Vettori, one run, jumps on the crease to defend a good
sharp lifting ball into the body, drops it dead into the pitch a
couple of feet in front of him, Vaas comes up and kicks the ball
at the stumps foolishly, and it rolls wide and past the wrong-
footed Sangakkara
Vaas concedes a run and gives Vettori to take the strike for the
next over if Martin can survive the last ball, not smart cricket
44.6 Vaas to Martin, no run, short rising ball outside off stump, sways
back to leave well alone through to the keeper
End of over 45 (12 runs) New Zealand 177/9 (RR: 3.93)
WPUJC Vaas 8-2-32-2 (5nb) - Sandringham Road End
DL Vettori 15* (13b 1x4 1x6) CS Martin 0* (4b)
Fernando returns, replacing Dharmasena who has bowled out 10 fine
overs, taking 3-33 at the Dominion Road End
45.1 Fernando to Vettori, one run, full on the toes, well driven down to
Dharmasena at long on
45.2 Fernando to Martin, wide: no run, short and wide down the leg side,
left through to the keeper to grab the free run
45.2 Fernando to Martin, one run, quick and full down the leg side,
squeezes it away down to Arnold at long leg to get off the mark
45.3 Fernando to Vettori, one run, quick low full toss, well smacked
straight back down the ground past the bowler, Dharmasena fields
well around from long off, and they have to settle for the single
45.4 Fernando to Martin, OUT: and that finishes that up, super fast full
ball, Martin played very tentatively at it and exposes his stumps,
with it angling into leg stump, knocking it back
New Zealand 181/10, Partnership of 16
CS Martin b Fernando 1 (6b 0x4 0x6)
DL Vettori 17* (15b 1x4 1x6) RD Fernando 5.4-0-33-1 (3w)
New Zealand dismissed 8 balls short of batting out their full
allotment, another disappoint effort with the bat as they failed
to build significant partnerships, particular at the very top of
the order
McMillan stands out with 61, his two sixes from Muralitharan a real
highly, but after him and a useful contribution from Astle, the
rest failed to get near 20
for Sri Lanka, Vaas came back into the side very well, almost as if
he never left, while Zoysa was highly accurate in his open (and
only) spell of seven overs
the spinners tied the middle order down, and though conceded a
couple of late blows, were responsible for making sure the run
rate couldn't accelerate significantly, taking 5 wickets between
them
Sri Lanka's target will be 182 runs off 47 overs, at a required
rate of 3.87 per over, not demanding on a fair wicket which has
helped good players willing to use it right, from either side
their chase will begin at 3:48pm local time (0218 GMT), in 35
minutes time
Match State: Innings Break
out return the players, and it'll be Sanath Jayasuriya to face
Chris Martin from the Sandringham Road End, with Marvan Atapattu
at the non-striker's end
0.1 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, short lifting ball outside off stump,
cut down straight to Harris at point
0.2 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, throws in an early attempted yorker,
dips late but is still a little too full, defended back on the leg
side of the pitch
0.3 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, good length ball outside off stump,
Jayasuriya has an early lick but it's an early swing and miss,
angling well away from him, plenty of width and not quite to it
0.4 Martin to Jayasuriya, one run, straight ball, driving and gets it
away down to Franklin at long leg
0.5 Martin to Atapattu, wide: no run, short ball well wide down the leg
side, left alone through to the keeper
0.5 Martin to Atapattu, no run, half forward, Martin slips a quick one
through and raps the pads, unconvincing appeal as it came back a
fair way, heading well down the leg side
0.6 Martin to Atapattu, no run, shortish straight ball, forced back on
the crease, defending up to mid on
End of over 1 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 2/0 (RR: 2.00 RRR: 180/46 = 3.91)
CS Martin 1-0-2-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
ST Jayasuriya 1* (4b) MS Atapattu 0* (2b)
James Franklin to open up from the Dominion Road End
1.1 Franklin to Jayasuriya, SIX, and what a greeting he's given by
Jayasuriya! short rising ball down the leg side, pulls hard and
sends it over the fine leg boundary, hit too well for McMillan
down there, menacing blow
1.2 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, better line ball, defended down
towards Vincent at square leg
1.3 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, even better ball, dabbles and
misses outside off stump, held back nicely and Parore takes on the
half volley in front of him
1.4 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends
away to Harris at backward point
1.5 Franklin to Jayasuriya, two runs, angling on leg stump, well turned
away through backward square leg, McMillan has a fair chase in and
around from long leg and they take on his throw, which is a wild
one over the middle of the pitch
1.6 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, short lifting ball, defends down
into the covers
End of over 2 (8 runs) Sri Lanka 10/0 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 172/45 = 3.82)
JEC Franklin 1-0-8-0 - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 0* (2b) ST Jayasuriya 9* (10b 1x6)
2.1 Martin to Atapattu, no run, props forward in defence, playing back
up on the off side of the pitch
2.2 Martin to Atapattu, one run, stabbing forward in defence, just
opens the blade enough to run it down to Franklin at third man
2.3 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, good quick short lifting ball,
Jayasuriya uncomfortably fends it down into the pads, dropping
down in close on the leg side
2.4 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, quick and full outside off stump,
drives and misses as it angles away wider, looking to smash the
cover off the ball through the covers
2.5 Martin to Jayasuriya, FOUR, shot! the width is there and sits up a
little, powerfully square cut through backward point, picks the
gap perfectly and it crashes into the boundary, super stroke
2.6 Martin to Jayasuriya, two runs, overpitched on the legs and
strongly picked away, Franklin does well to scramble around from
fine leg and dive inside the rope to save a boundary, but they get
two comfortably nonetheless
End of over 3 (7 runs) Sri Lanka 17/0 (RR: 5.67 RRR: 165/44 = 3.75)
CS Martin 2-0-9-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 1* (4b) ST Jayasuriya 15* (14b 1x4 1x6)
3.1 Franklin to Atapattu, no run, shuffles back and across to off
stump, leaving alone straight through to the keeper
3.2 Franklin to Atapattu, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
hard straight down to McMillan at third man
3.3 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball, pulled straight down
to Oram at forward square leg
3.4 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, stretches well forward down the
pitch, defends watchfully back on the off side of the pitch
3.5 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, quick rising ball from a length on
off stump, hops on the crease to try and leverage some width that
isn't there, forcing it down into the ground to Sinclair in the
covers
3.6 Franklin to Jayasuriya, FOUR, too short and enough width outside
off stump to get it away through the gap this time, sends it
hurtling with authority into the cover boundary
End of over 4 (5 runs) Sri Lanka 22/0 (RR: 5.50 RRR: 160/43 = 3.72)
JEC Franklin 2-0-13-0 - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 2* (6b) ST Jayasuriya 19* (18b 2x4 1x6)
4.1 Martin to Atapattu, no run, short rising straight ball, Atapattu
hops back in the crease to defend it down at his feet, having to
watch carefully and stop it dead as it threatens to trickle back
on to his stumps
4.2 Martin to Atapattu, no run, another good short lifting ball outside
off stump, forces him on the back foot, defending up towards
McMillan at mid off
4.3 Martin to Atapattu, no run, props well forward in defence, dropping
it down to Harris at backward point
4.4 Martin to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball on middle and leg, hops
across on the crease to tuck it down to Vincent at square leg
4.5 Martin to Atapattu, wide: no run, short rising ball but miles off
ldown the leg side through to Parore, half-hearted appeals don't
fool umpire Watkin
4.5 Martin to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball on off stump, hops on the
crease to defend back up on the off side of the pitch
4.6 Martin to Atapattu, no run, props well forward in defence, dropping
it quietly down to Oram in the covers
End of over 5 (1 run) Sri Lanka 23/0 (RR: 4.60 RRR: 159/42 = 3.79)
CS Martin 3-0-10-0 (2w) - Sandringham Road End
ST Jayasuriya 19* (18b 2x4 1x6) MS Atapattu 2* (12b)
5.1 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, good tight ball honing in on off
stump, defends up towards Sinclair at mid off
5.2 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, stretches well forward outside off
stump, defending down into the covers, Fleming in from shortish
point to field
5.3 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, fair length ball powerfully cracked
off the back foot into the covers, Oram makes a good save falling
to his left to prevent a certain emphatic boundary, palming it
down to his left
5.4 Franklin to Jayasuriya, SIX, full and wide outside off stump,
Jayasuriya slashes at it on the up, slicing it away over cover
point, just pitching over the rope, cracking shot from the Sri
Lankan captain!
if Vettori can hit square sixes on the off side, he says he can
too!
5.5 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, firmly defends down into
the covers
5.6 Franklin to Jayasuriya, no run, full outside off stump, powerfully
driven straight up to Sinclair at widish mid off
End of over 6 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 29/0 (RR: 4.83 RRR: 153/41 = 3.73)
JEC Franklin 3-0-19-0 - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 2* (12b) ST Jayasuriya 25* (24b 2x4 2x6)
6.1 Martin to Atapattu, no run, jumps back and across in behind a short
ball outside off stump, defends down towards Harris roaming at
point
6.2 Martin to Atapattu, no run, short rising ball, defends down from
chest height down at his feet
6.3 Martin to Atapattu, no run, props well forward in defence, seams
right back in and takes the front pad, half-hearted appeal as it
struck outside the line of off stump
6.4 Martin to Atapattu, wide: no run, digs it in very short, Atapattu
eyes it up and has an attempted hook but it's rather wide outside
off stump and can't sufficiently reach it, called wide
6.4 Martin to Atapattu, wide: no run, now Martin strays down the leg
side, far too wide to even demand a stroke
6.4 Martin to Atapattu, one run, stabs forward in defence to a straight
one, gets a thick inside edge dropping away past the stumps
towards vacant short fine leg
6.5 Martin to Jayasuriya, wide: no run, full and wide, down the leg
side, Martin completely losing it now, 3 wides in 4 deliveries
6.5 Martin to Jayasuriya, two runs, overpitched on the legs, easily
turned away through vacant forward square leg for a couple,
Vincent fields from squarer
6.6 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, full down the leg side, tries to whip
it away off the legs but misses, into the pads and rolls away to
backward square leg
End of over 7 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 35/0 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 147/40 = 3.67)
CS Martin 4-0-16-0 (5w) - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 3* (16b) ST Jayasuriya 27* (26b 2x4 2x6)
Franklin replaced early, after a spell of 0-19 from 3 overs,
replaced by Jacob Oram at the Dominion Road End
a lengthy delay as the sightscreen in front of the terraces gets
stuck, and umpire Cowie has to jog over and help them out
7.1 Oram to Atapattu, FOUR, angling down the leg side, glances deftly
fine and well away from the diving Parore's left, and too quick to
the boundary for Martin at long leg
7.2 Oram to Atapattu, two runs, angling on leg stump once more, picked
off through the wide open expanses through midwicket, Vincent has
to give chase from square leg
7.3 Oram to Atapattu, no run, stabs forward in defence, hurries through
on him a little, taken high on the pad and rebounds away into the
covers
7.4 Oram to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends
watchfully down towards point
7.5 Oram to Atapattu, no run, lazily pushes forward in defence on off
stump, drops it directly down into the pitch with no follow
through, bounces up and pings his grille
7.6 Oram to Atapattu, no run, quicker, full ball going through, taken
on the pad angling in down the leg side, Oram appeals as umpire
Cowie calls over, that's how not out it was
End of over 8 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 41/0 (RR: 5.12 RRR: 141/39 = 3.62)
JDP Oram 1-0-6-0 - Dominion Road End
ST Jayasuriya 27* (26b 2x4 2x6) MS Atapattu 9* (22b 1x4)
a double bowling change as both opening bowlers are not on form,
with Martin bowling 5 wides in his opening 4-over spell costing 16
runs, replaced by Vettori at the Sandringham Road End
8.1 Vettori to Jayasuriya, FOUR, welcome to the bowling crease Mr
Vettori! flighting it up full, slammed back over his head, just
pitching inside the rope and rolling over
8.2 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, defends down in close on
the off side
8.3 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, driven up on the leg side, easy
single taken with the shot
8.4 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, reaching well forward in defence
outside off stump, drops it down in close on the off side from
bat/pad
8.5 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, dances down the pitch but respectfully
defends a good ball back along the deck to the bowler
8.6 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, props well forward in defence, padding
it down on the leg side of the pitch
End of over 9 (5 runs) Sri Lanka 46/0 (RR: 5.11 RRR: 136/38 = 3.58)
DL Vettori 1-0-5-0 - Sandringham Road End
ST Jayasuriya 32* (29b 3x4 2x6) MS Atapattu 9* (25b 1x4)
9.1 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, stretches well forward, defending back
up on the off side of the pitch
9.2 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, again, well forward, stroking straight
up to Franklin at mid off
9.3 Oram to Jayasuriya, FOUR, slightly overpitched and Jayasuriya lays
into this one, does he ever, cracking it straight back down the
ground, Atapattu has to dodge as it goes perilously close to
taking one of his legs off, down to the straight long on boundary
to bring up the 50
9.4 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish quicker ball angling on leg,
tries to pull but misplays it, rebounding away to McMillan at
short fine leg
9.5 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, angling in from wide on the crease
coming around the wicket to the left hander, beats him through the
gate, Oram goes up with the other fielders late in the appeal,
umnpire Cowie quickly indicates it brushed pad
not a bad ball though, cut back a long way and didn't pass far wide
of off stump through to Parore
9.6 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, defends away towards cover
point
End of over 10 (4 runs) Sri Lanka 50/0 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 132/37 = 3.57)
JDP Oram 2-0-10-0 - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 9* (25b 1x4) ST Jayasuriya 36* (35b 4x4 2x6)
10.1 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, shuffles right back in defence to a
shortish ball, driven firmly straight back along the pitch to
Vettori
10.2 Vettori to Atapattu, wide: no run, pushed through quicker and
fuller, but loses his line, too wide down the leg side
10.2 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, reaching forward outside off stump in
defence, played away to cover point, Franklin across to field from
squarer
10.3 Vettori to Atapattu, one run, shortish ball, shuffles right back
and works it off the legs out towards Oram at deep square leg
Fleming readjusts his field, employing very much a ring field on
the edge of the circle
10.4 Vettori to Jayasuriya, FOUR, and a lot of good that did, Vettori
flights it up full and Jayasuriya happily tucks in, lofting
straight back over his head, bouncing once just inside the
boundary rope and away it goes
10.5 Vettori to Jayasuriya, two runs, flighted up outside off stump, run
away through backward point, Sinclair with the chase to overhaul
it before it reaches the short square boundary is successful, but
the runs are being picked off with ease
10.6 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball, Jayasuriya tries to
whip it from off to leg but is unable to play it cleanly, dropping
down from bat/pad down in close on the off isde
End of over 11 (8 runs) Sri Lanka 58/0 (RR: 5.27 RRR: 124/36 = 3.44)
DL Vettori 2-0-13-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 10* (28b 1x4) ST Jayasuriya 42* (38b 5x4 2x6)
11.1 Oram to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball on off stump, shuffles back
in behind it, defending firmly away to Harris at point
11.2 Oram to Atapattu, no run, hurries through a shorter ball, taken
high on the pad down the leg side, drops it down into the pitch
11.3 Oram to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball on off stump, firmly
defends back down the pitch
11.4 Oram to Atapattu, one run, leans well forward, just opening the
face to a full ball outside off stump, guiding it down to McMillan
at third man as easy as he pleases
11.5 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, good tight ball angling in on off
stump, forced to defend straight back down the pitch
11.6 Oram to Jayasuriya, wide: no run, quick and full down the leg side,
Jayasuriya tries to help it on its way with an almighty swing but
can't catch up with it, but he'll get another chance in the over
11.6 Oram to Jayasuriya, FOUR, and he certainly uses it, shortish ball
outside off stump, gets in control over the top of it, guiding it
away down through the gap at point, done with such timing in the
caress that it hurries away from the two chasing fielders
End of over 12 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 64/0 (RR: 5.33 RRR: 118/35 = 3.37)
JDP Oram 3-0-16-0 (1w) - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 11* (32b 1x4) ST Jayasuriya 46* (40b 6x4 2x6)
a lovely stroke that keeps the crowd as silent as ever
Vettori's spell lasts just two overs, conceding 13 runs, and
Franklin returns at the opposite end to which he opened from, now
at the Sandringham Road End
12.1 Franklin to Atapattu, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, heaved
away through cover point, not an auspicious start to his return
spell
the writing is very much on the wall here for the home team,
Jayasuriya has dominated and Atapattu looks very safe, and have
Sri Lanka well on course to wrap up the series in the minimum
amount of time required
12.2 Franklin to Atapattu, no run, full and straight, driven up to
McMillan at mid on
12.3 Franklin to Atapattu, FOUR, full outside off stump, again taken to
through cover point, hitting down a ball slightly on the up, the
chase isn't even attempted this time
12.4 Franklin to Atapattu, one run, nudged away towards wide midwicket,
well placed for an easy run with the shot as it's played between
McMillan and Astle in the circle
12.5 Franklin to Jayasuriya, SIX, it just gets better and better for
Jayasuriya and Sri Lanka, overpitched and picked up off his legs,
from off stump, over backward square leg and brings up his 50 off
just 41 balls, 6x4, 3x6 in immaculate style
12.6 Franklin to Jayasuriya, FOUR, and again! powered away through extra
cover, finishing a horror 19-run over by Franklin, conceding as
many as he did in his first (expensive) 3-over spell
End of over 13 (19 runs) Sri Lanka 83/0 (RR: 6.38 RRR: 99/34 = 2.91)
JEC Franklin 4-0-38-0 - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 20* (36b 3x4) ST Jayasuriya 56* (42b 7x4 3x6)
Jacob Oram has left the field, bringing sub fielder Daryl Tuffey
on, and it means Craig McMillan will replace him at the Dominion
Road End after a spell of 0-16 from 3 overs
13.1 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, attempted yorker, jammed out to
Fleming at short midwicket, a rarely sighted tight delivery in
this innings
13.2 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, full outside off stump, firmly
punched straight to Astle at short cover
13.3 McMillan to Atapattu, one run, shortish straight ball, worked up
towards Franklin at mid on, they sprint a quick single as a shy
comes at the bowler's end, misses and the New Zealanders anguish -
the replay shows Atapattu well short had it hit
13.4 McMillan to Jayasuriya, no run, stretches well forward, defends
down towards forward square leg, Astle quickly scoots across from
short midwicket to prevent a quick single
13.5 McMillan to Jayasuriya, no run, good tight ball angling in from
around the wicket on off stump, chops it down into the ground and
straight out to Vincent at point, looking to carve it away
13.6 McMillan to Jayasuriya, one run, short ball sits up, pulls down
through square leg, not quite getting on to it as it sits up a bit
more and doesn't quite come on, sub fielder Tuffey around to field
at deep square leg
End of over 14 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 85/0 (RR: 6.07 RRR: 97/33 = 2.94)
CD McMillan 1-0-2-0 - Dominion Road End
ST Jayasuriya 57* (45b 7x4 3x6) MS Atapattu 21* (39b 3x4)
Tuffey's duties immediately cease as Oram returns to the field
another bowling change, Franklin's single over spell costing 19 is
his last for now, Chris Harris on to bowl at the Sandringham Road
End
14.1 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, well forward, defends away to
Sinclair at cover
14.2 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, floated up on a good length,
Jayasuriya reaches forward, turning it directly to Vincent at
midwicket
14.3 Harris to Jayasuriya, FOUR, Jayasuriya has a slice of luck, driving
at a slightly shorter one, and scoops up a top edge that just
clears Vettori at short third man and runs away
14.4 Harris to Jayasuriya, two runs, floated full, he's on to it,
lofting over extra cover, but it pitches in the deep and stops
just inside the boundary rope, and they're only able to grab two
14.5 Harris to Jayasuriya, FOUR, a bit of width, slashed away through
the gap at point, imperiously crashes into the boundary and erases
the previous record 1st wicket partnership for Sri Lanka against
New Zealand
14.6 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, floated up a little shorter,
Jayasuriya pushes through it, not quite to the pitch of it, and
just holds the shot, as it spoons up just short of mid off
End of over 15 (10 runs) Sri Lanka 95/0 (RR: 6.33 RRR: 87/32 = 2.72)
CZ Harris 1-0-10-0 - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 21* (39b 3x4) ST Jayasuriya 67* (51b 9x4 3x6)
time for a drinks break, we may not have a second, such has been
Jayasuriya's domination of the early overs, that have forced a
half dozen bowling changes in 15 overs
15.1 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, full and straight, firmly defends
with bat/pad up towards mid on, Franklin intercepts from wide
midwicket
15.2 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, quicker ball on the legs, cannoning
into the pads and drops down in close on the leg side, McMillan
scoots up to field himself
15.3 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, jumps back and across in behind a
shortish ball on off stump in defence back down the pitch
15.4 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, forward, defends firmly straight up
to Vettori at mid on
15.5 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball, defends from the
crease straight down to Sinclair at extra cover
15.6 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, quicker short rising ball on off
stump, forced right back in defence on the crease, playing it down
on the off side, and the crowd cheer at the sight of the first
maiden over in the innings
End of over 16 (maiden) Sri Lanka 95/0 (RR: 5.94 RRR: 87/31 = 2.81)
CD McMillan 2-1-2-0 - Dominion Road End
ST Jayasuriya 67* (51b 9x4 3x6) MS Atapattu 21* (45b 3x4)
Harris is replaced after just one over at the Sandringham Road End
which cost 10, Vettori returns
16.1 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, defends firmly back on the
off side of the pitch
16.2 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
cut away out to Oram at deep point
16.3 Vettori to Atapattu, one run, flighted up outside off stump, driven
down to Martin at long off
16.4 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, defends down in close on
the leg side
16.5 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball, pulled around the
corner to Vincent at fine leg
16.6 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, forward, tapped away just backward of
point, Vincent sprints in to pick up and fling to Parore from
short third man
End of over 17 (3 runs) Sri Lanka 98/0 (RR: 5.76 RRR: 84/30 = 2.80)
DL Vettori 3-0-16-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
ST Jayasuriya 69* (55b 9x4 3x6) MS Atapattu 22* (47b 3x4)
17.1 McMillan to Jayasuriya, no run, good yorker length ball, equally
well dug out from his toes, back down the pitch
17.2 McMillan to Jayasuriya, no run, full outside off stump, firmly
stroked straight to Vincent at extra cover
17.3 McMillan to Jayasuriya, no run, down the track, swings and misses
outside off stump, fairly wide
17.4 McMillan to Jayasuriya, one run, full ball strongly driven down the
ground on the leg side, Fleming makes a fine diving stop to his
right at mid on, can't prevent the single from being taken with
the shot
17.5 McMillan to Atapattu, three runs, nicely punched up the ground on
the leg side, Vettori misjudges the power of the stroke as he has
to turn and chase from mid on, overhauling comfortably inside the
boundary, brings up the Sri Lankan 100 off just 107 balls
17.6 McMillan to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly back cut straight to Harris at backward point
End of over 18 (4 runs) Sri Lanka 102/0 (RR: 5.67 RRR: 80/29 = 2.76)
CD McMillan 3-1-6-0 - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 25* (48b 3x4) ST Jayasuriya 70* (60b 9x4 3x6)
18.1 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, flighted up outside off stump, dances
down the track to drive, does so rather firmly but can't get it
past Harris' tumble and roll save at extra cover
18.2 Vettori to Atapattu, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
away out to Franklin at deep cover point
18.3 Vettori to Jayasuriya, FOUR, too much width outside off stump,
Jayasuriya pounces in an instant, beautifully cutting down through
backward point, the boundaries are too short for outfielders like
Oram at deep point to cut off
18.4 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, down the track, lofts just over the
head of Astle running back at mid off, tantalisingly close but
never really to it, pitches and stops
18.5 Vettori to Atapattu, two runs, sweeps strongly and fine, McMillan
has some work around from long leg to field
18.6 Vettori to Atapattu, two runs, short ball sits up outside off
stump, strongly back cut through backward point, Franklin around
from deep cover to field
End of over 19 (10 runs) Sri Lanka 112/0 (RR: 5.89 RRR: 70/28 = 2.50)
DL Vettori 4-0-26-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
ST Jayasuriya 75* (62b 10x4 3x6) MS Atapattu 30* (52b 3x4)
19.1 McMillan to Jayasuriya, no run, quick ball angling in from around
the wicket, turned into a low full tosss and clipped powerfully
but straight to Sinclair at midwicket
19.2 McMillan to Jayasuriya, SIX, overpitched, juicy half volley picked
up nonchalantly over wide midwicket, just landing over the rope
and clears the hoardings, this is just too easy for someone of
Jayasuriya's international pedigree
19.3 McMillan to Jayasuriya, SIX, and he does it again! this one goes
even further back, another inviting half volley sent sailing over
wide midwicket, Oram can only just turn and watch it fly over his
head, McMillan gives him a few words of pointless 'advice'
19.4 McMillan to Jayasuriya, SIX, but Jayasuriya clearly took them on,
this time he sends it hurtling hard and flat over long off, just
pitching a couple of metres over the rope of a longer boundary,
umpire Cowie calls for a replay just to confirm
19.5 McMillan to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball on off stump, gets a
thickish edge down through to Martin scrambling to field at third
man
19.6 McMillan to Atapattu, no run, angling down the leg side, left
through to the keeper
End of over 20 (19 runs) Sri Lanka 131/0 (RR: 6.55 RRR: 51/27 = 1.89)
CD McMillan 4-1-25-0 - Dominion Road End
ST Jayasuriya 94* (67b 10x4 6x6) MS Atapattu 30* (53b 3x4)
20.1 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, flighted full outside off stump,
driven out to Oram at deep point
20.2 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, slower ball held back, Atapattu is
well forward and is made to wait, defends straight to Harris at
extra cover
20.3 Vettori to Atapattu, one run, dances down the track to turn it into
a nice easily driveable ball, played down to Martin at long off
20.4 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
cuts away to Oram at deep point, somewhat slicing it in the air
for some way, but safely bounces well short of the deep fielder
20.5 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, stretches well forward, watchfully
defends straight back down the pitch to the bowler
20.6 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, flighted up outside off stump, driven
straight to Harris in the covers
End of over 21 (3 runs) Sri Lanka 134/0 (RR: 6.38 RRR: 48/26 = 1.85)
DL Vettori 5-0-29-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
ST Jayasuriya 96* (69b 10x4 6x6) MS Atapattu 31* (57b 3x4)
Harris replaces McMillan at the Dominion Road End after his
previous 19-run over, including 3 mighty consecutive sixes from
the bat of Jayasuriya
21.1 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, dropped! unbelievable! floated up
full, Jayasuriya tries to give himself room and ends up scooping
it straight back to Harris who drops the easiest of caught and
bowled chances on offer, that just sums up the entire day's
proceedings, incredible
21.2 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, defends down into the covers
21.3 Harris to Jayasuriya, two runs, driven up the ground towards
Vettori charging in from long off to field, Atapattu sprints back
for the second, sliding into his crease to just make it home as
Harris whips off the bails
now Vettori's brought up inside the circle, inviting the lofted off
drive, with 2 balls in hand to try and score the fastest ODI
century on New Zealand soil (Chris Cairns the quickest with a 75-
baller against India in 1999/00)
21.4 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, floated up full, stretches well
forward, defending into the covers
21.5 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, defending once more on the
off side
21.6 Harris to Jayasuriya, no run, watchfully plays out the over,
defending back down the pitch, Jayasuriyahappy to go at his own
pace
End of over 22 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 136/0 (RR: 6.18 RRR: 46/25 = 1.84)
CZ Harris 2-0-12-0 - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 31* (57b 3x4) ST Jayasuriya 98* (75b 10x4 6x6)
22.1 Vettori to Atapattu, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
fine square cut through backward point, Franklin makes great work
around from deep cover and fires back a super strong throw,
keeping them down to two
22.2 Vettori to Atapattu, one run, flighted up full, driven straight
down to Martin at long off
22.3 Vettori to Jayasuriya, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
uses the pace of the ball to steer it down through the big gap at
backward point, Oram has to field around in the deep from much
squarer, sliding to save just inside the boundary, time to come
back for an easy second
Jayasuriya posting a superb century off just 76 balls, 10x4, 3x6,
the captain completely dominant, taking New Zealand apart in
emphatic fashion
22.4 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, stretches well forward, kicking a
flighted ball back down the pitch outside off stump
22.5 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, flighted up on the toes, scoops it
up just over Harris leaping at wide midwicket, out to Franklin
sweeping in the deep
22.6 Vettori to Atapattu, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
away out to Franklin at deep cover point
End of over 23 (7 runs) Sri Lanka 143/0 (RR: 6.22 RRR: 39/24 = 1.62)
DL Vettori 6-0-36-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 35* (60b 3x4) ST Jayasuriya 101* (78b 10x4 6x6)
23.1 Harris to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball on leg stump, shuffles
back in the crease and glances it straight to Franklin at short
fine leg
23.2 Harris to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball on off stump, goes back
and across, tapping it down towards cover, looking briefly for the
quick single but Sinclair's snappily across to field from extra
cover
23.3 Harris to Atapattu, FOUR, too short, Atapattu quickly rocks back
and pulls it savagely down through midwicket, past the diving
Vincent inside the circle, and there's absolutely no protection in
the deep out there, fine shot by the batsman almost completely
anonymous here but
has played rather well in a good supporting role for the lead actor
23.4 Harris to Atapattu, one run, quietly nudged away off the legs
towards forward square leg, good quick single taken with the shot
as Vincent scoots in to fling it to Parore behind the stumps
23.5 Harris to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball angling down the leg
side, turned out through forward square leg to Oram in the deep
23.6 Harris to Atapattu, no run, stretches well forward, pushed away
towards cover point, they don't take on Sinclair who's very quick
to scoot across from much straighter to pick up and underarm into
the keeper
End of over 24 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 149/0 (RR: 6.21 RRR: 33/23 = 1.43)
CZ Harris 3-0-18-0 - Dominion Road End
ST Jayasuriya 102* (79b 10x4 6x6) MS Atapattu 40* (65b 4x4)
24.1 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, angling on leg stump, turned around
the corner to short fine leg
24.2 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, guided away backward of point, easy
single milked to bring up the 150 off just 146 balls
24.3 Vettori to Atapattu, SIX, Atapattu gets in on the act now, dancing
down the track and lofts it hard and flat over wide midwicket, not
landing far away from the National Bank International Cricketer of
the Year winner's car!
24.4 Vettori to Atapattu, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
tapped away to backward point
24.5 Vettori to Atapattu, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
away forward of point to the deep this time
24.6 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, dabbles and misses outside off
stump, through to Parore
End of over 25 (8 runs) Sri Lanka 157/0 (RR: 6.28 RRR: 25/22 = 1.14)
DL Vettori 7-0-44-0 (1w) - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 47* (68b 4x4 1x6) ST Jayasuriya 103* (82b 10x4 6x6)
25.1 Harris to Atapattu, no run, flighted full outside off stump, driven
straight to Sinclair to extra cover
25.2 Harris to Atapattu, one run, quicker and full on the legs, turned
away to vacant backward square leg for an easy single
25.3 Harris to Jayasuriya, OUT: short ball sits up, Jayasuriya goes for
a seventh six but pulls it a bit flat, Oram dances around the
boundary rope at deep midwicket, leaping up to take a fine catch
just centimetres inside the boundary, and makes sure he completes
it and
Sri Lanka 158/1, Partnership of 158
ST Jayasuriya c Oram b Harris 103 (83b 10x4 6x6)
MS Atapattu 48* (70b 4x4 1x6) CZ Harris 3.3-0-19-1
keep his momentum inside the boundary, which is does well,
Jayasuriya looks in the distance for confirmation that it was
taken legally, Oram acknowledges and Jayasuriya walks off to a
fine standing ovation for his tremendous innings
Kumar Sangakkara, another leftie, comes in to bat, with a bit to
live up to now with just 24 needed for victory
25.4 Harris to Sangakkara, no run, forward, defends away to backward
point
25.5 Harris to Sangakkara, no run, tight ball angling on off stump,
opens the face and runs it straight down to Franklin at short
third man
25.6 Harris to Sangakkara, no run, floated up outside off stump, driven
straight into the covers to complete a tidy over for Harris, the
sole wicket-taker
End of over 26 (1 run) Sri Lanka 158/1 (RR: 6.08 RRR: 24/21 = 1.14)
CZ Harris 4-0-19-1 - Dominion Road End
MS Atapattu 48* (70b 4x4 1x6) K Sangakkara 0* (3b)
Martin returns, replacing Vettori at the Sandringham Road End
26.1 Martin to Atapattu, no run, full outside off stump, mistimed drive
straight up to Franklin at mid off
26.2 Martin to Atapattu, no run, fair length ball but a little wide
outside off stump, tapped away into the ground bouncing up to
Harris at backward point
26.3 Martin to Atapattu, one run, full outside off stump, driven out
through cover point, Vincent around in the deep to field
26.4 Martin to Sangakkara, no run, good climbing ball, Sangakkara is
hurried up, defending down to Vincent at forward square leg
26.5 Martin to Sangakkara, FOUR, short ball angling down the leg side,
strongly swung away through long leg, high and wide of Vettori
fielding a little finer, bounces a metre inside the rope before
crossing
26.6 Martin to Sangakkara, no run, forward, defends back up on the leg
side of the pitch
End of over 27 (5 runs) Sri Lanka 163/1 (RR: 6.04 RRR: 19/20 = 0.95)
CS Martin 5-0-21-0 (5w) - Sandringham Road End
MS Atapattu 49* (73b 4x4 1x6) K Sangakkara 4* (6b 1x4)
27.1 Harris to Atapattu, no run, reaching well forward, angling down the
leg side, rebounds off the pad in close on the leg side, Harris
half-heartedly appeals
27.2 Harris to Atapattu, no run, worked away towards Vincent at
midwicket, flings it back in to Parore who whips off the bails as
Atapattu was keen for a run but had to get back
27.3 Harris to Atapattu, no run, driven firmly off the back foot
straight up to Vettori at mid on
27.4 Harris to Atapattu, no run, strongly drives a full ball straight
back down the pitch, Harris fielding sharply off his own bowling,
Atapattu stalling on 49
27.5 Harris to Atapattu, two runs, floated on leg stump, worked away
nicely through forward square leg, sprints back for the second
making it home comfortably in the end as the deep fielder had a
fair way to come in to it, bringing up his 50 off 78 balls, 4x4,
1x6
27.6 Harris to Atapattu, FOUR, shortish ball just outside off stump,
slashing back cut through the gap at backward point, no third man
in place and away it rockets to the vacant boundary, this is
comprehensive stuff from Sri Lanka, Atapattu and Sangakkara punch
gloves in delight
End of over 28 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 169/1 (RR: 6.04 RRR: 13/19 = 0.68)
CZ Harris 5-0-25-1 - Dominion Road End
K Sangakkara 4* (6b 1x4) MS Atapattu 55* (79b 5x4 1x6)
28.1 Martin to Sangakkara, no run, good sharp straight ball on a back of
a length, Sangakkara awkwardly fends at it, closing the face too
soon and spoons up a leading edge, but it drops safely well short
of any fielder inside the circle on the off side
28.2 Martin to Sangakkara, one run, fuller and just drifting a little
into the legs, driven up wide of mid on for an easy run with the
shot
28.3 Martin to Atapattu, no run, quick ball outside off stump left alone
through to the keeper
28.4 Martin to Atapattu, no run, short ball sits up outside off stump,
powerfully back cut but Harris comes up with an equally fine
diving save to his right at backward point, Vincent scoots across
to clean up before they contemplate going through with an
attempted single
28.5 Martin to Atapattu, no run, this time cuts it hard forward of
point, Vincent is the one who flings himself at the ball and takes
it cleanly, a great save to his left
28.6 Martin to Atapattu, FOUR, but not third time lucky, same ball,
similar shot but played directly between Harris and Vincent, the
chase is abandoned early in the piece
End of over 29 (5 runs) Sri Lanka 174/1 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 8/18 = 0.44)
CS Martin 6-0-26-0 (5w) - Sandringham Road End
K Sangakkara 5* (8b 1x4) MS Atapattu 59* (83b 6x4 1x6)
29.1 Harris to Sangakkara, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
straight down to Martin at backward point
29.2 Harris to Sangakkara, no run, forward, driven straight back on the
leg side of the pitch
29.3 Harris to Sangakkara, no run, dabbled straight to Franklin at short
third man
29.4 Harris to Sangakkara, FOUR, floated up full, sent hard and flat
over wide midwicket, one bounce and over the boundary
just four needed for victory now
29.5 Harris to Sangakkara, FOUR, and a lovely way to end it, uses the
pace of the ball to steer it away through the gap at point, looks
an innocuous shot but the wristy timing shows through as it keeps
racing away from the chasing fielders, all the way into the point
boundary
Sri Lankan complete a crushing victory by 9 wickets with a massive
103 balls to spare, absolutely comprehensive and spearheaded by
tight, tidy bowler, and finished off in dazzling fashion by
Jayasuriya with able support from Atapattu who scored a nic
unbeaten 59, while Sangakkara had a brief tidy up job to finish
things at the end
Sri Lanka wrap up the National Bank One-Day International Series 3-
0 with two games to spare, and a lot of soul searching will have
to happen now for New Zealand, with the batsman just unable to
score the requisite runs for the bowlers to work with, and
the bowlers themselves now are struggling to keep it together,
while the Sri Lankans have quietly gone about their work, not in
the most convincing of fashion at all times, but have done the job
when it was needed in an efficient manner
given the jetlagged tourists lost their opening tour match against
a North Island Selection XI, this is a superb turnaround to take
on the first XI and win in such style
from here we have the two remaining dead matches in Hamilton and
Christchurch, the Sri Lankans must be eyeing up a great chance to
completely embarrass New Zealand at home, while the home side will
have to battle incredibly hard to contain the
opposition's top order batting which is starting to fire, and bring
the final scoreline back to a respectable one
Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya has been named the National
Bank Man of the Match, a choice that requires no thought
whatsoever
that concludes CricInfo's coverage from Eden Park, please join us
for the fourth National Bank Series One-Day International from
WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton, starting at midday local time (2300
GMT) on Thursday the 8th
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