welcome to WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton for the fourth National
Bank Series One-Day International between New Zealand and Sri
Lanka
unfortunately we don't have particularly good news to greet users
wishing to follow live cricket action from the scheduled time, as
persistent drizzle and rain through yesterday and this morning
have left the outfield rather damp
the covers are on the entire square with the main portable cover
wheeled over the main pitch, and also on the bowlers' run-ups
however, just before the scheduled start time of 12pm, bright
sunshine has appeared despite the fact there's very, if not any,
wind at all to push the very depressing grey cloud cover away
so the sun has found a gap and helped groundstaff prepare the
ground for a possible start, which has been provisionally slated
at 2:30pm local time (0130 GMT) at present, if there's no further
rain
the super sopper is doing its business over the covers extending
over the adjacent block
the outfield is rather patchy, unfortunately having been attacked
by a noxious weed in recent weeks, but otherwise looks quite lush
- the rain last night certainly didn't do any harm to that!
the ground is currently undergoing some major redevelopments, with
and a new grandstand seating 2500 people to be built next to the
Pavilion, while light towers are to be erected for day/night
cricket, only ever seen here before in a Max cricket final
they were due to be up in time to be used today, but delays meant
it had to be turned into a day match with a slightly later than
normal start
there's no team news at present, with the Sri Lankans still
hovering about at their hotel, while the New Zealanders have only
just arrived at the ground
half of the covers extending over the adjacent pitch blocks have
now been removed for inspection, but it's all leisurely progress
at this stage
at last, after a long wait, we can confirm an official rescheduled
start time of 3:30pm, and it will be a 35 overs per side contest
it hasn't rained for quite some time, and has in fact cleared even
further, with it being quite muggy and rather bright, more glare
than sunlight though, as the cloud cover remains quite thick and
dull
it's brightening up steadily, with clearer skies coming slowly from
the southwest
the playing times, as delivered by none other than umpire Dave
Quested himself, are 3:30pm-5:57pm for the first innings (4:45pm
drinks break), a 10 minute tea interval, then the second innings
from 6:07pm-8:34pm
the fielding restrictions will apply for the first 10 overs, and
all will be allowed a maximum of 7 overs each
the pitch is very green looking, but is a pretty even cover and may
be quite hard, in any case we're set to see plenty of action here,
for the first One-Day International at this venue since New
Zealand met Zimbabwe in 1997/98
what will be of most interest is whether we manage to complete a
full match today, given that the scheduled finishing time is as
late as 8:34pm - we may have a sticky situation with bad light
being called into play by a particular party on the field,
with Duckworth/Lewis then being invoked if we've managed 25+ overs
per side at that stage - it could get a bit contentious, given an
earlier incident not far away at Mt Maunganui in the Shell Cup
earlier this season when that very thing happened and very
few parties who emerged from that game ended up being satisfied at
the outcome, let's hope nothing of the sort is needed today!
both teams are now doing their warm-ups and stretches on the
outfield while the pitch and surrounds continue to be manicured,
just as the sun appears and the clouds start to part more
dramatically
it could well turn out to be a cracker afternoon/even of high-
impact cricket, unfortunately with little riding on it except a
bit of pride
Match State: Play scheduled to start at 3:30pm local time (0230 GMT)
Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya has won the toss and
unsurprisingly elected to bowl first on this very green looking
deck, and the muggy conditions means there'll be a fair bit of
swing about for those who employ it well
there are two changes for each side, with the Sri Lankans opting
for Romesh Kaluwitharana in favour of Marvan Atapattu, and Indika
Gallage replaces Chaminda Vaas
both players drafted in getting their first One-Day Internationals
in the series, Gallage being the replacement for bowler Kaushalya
Weeraratne who injured himself in the tour opener at New Plymouth
for New Zealand Roger Twose is back to fitness with his left hand
good enough to hold the bat sufficiently well, and takes the place
of Mathew Sinclair, while home boy Daryl Tuffey replaces James
Franklin, who becomes 12th man
with No 3 Twose replacing opener Sinclair, it means that Nathan
Astle will have his 12th career opening batting partner, in the
form of wicket-keeper Adam Parore
the players come on to the field, it'll be Adam Parore to take
strike to Nuwan Zoysa from the Members End, with Nathan Astle at
the non-striker's end
0.1 Zoysa to Parore, no run, not a bad start from Zoysa, good quick
climbing ball angling across Parore outside off stump, sways right
back out of the way as it passes through at chest height, great
bounce and carry
0.2 Zoysa to Parore, no run, stands tall on his tippy toes, shouldering
arms passing through outside off stump
0.3 Zoysa to Parore, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
shoulders arms through to the keeper once more
0.4 Zoysa to Parore, no run, hops on the crease, defending down with a
dead bat into the off side, a gloveless Sangakkara comes in to
field from cover
0.5 Zoysa to Parore, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, strongly
slapped down to point
0.6 Zoysa to Parore, no run, quicker ball pushed through fuller, Parore
is taken high on the pads as it pitches on leg stump and
straightens, appeal for lbw turned down by umpire Dunne
End of over 1 (maiden) New Zealand 0/0 (RR: 0.00)
DNT Zoysa 1-1-0-0
NJ Astle 0* (0b) AC Parore 0* (6b)
a good start by Zoysa, a maiden in a 35-over affair
Indika Gallage, veteran of 1 ODI, to bowl from the City End to
Astle
1.1 Gallage to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, Astle
hops on the crease to defend, probing the bat near the line of the
ball but withdraws late, useful first up ball
1.2 Gallage to Astle, three runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
neatly steered down through cover point, the sluggish outfield
just holds it up as Sangakkara chases, sliding to save well just
inside the boundary line
1.3 Gallage to Parore, no run, shortish ball, defends it down with a
dead bat in close on the leg side
1.4 Gallage to Parore, no run, good length ball passing through just
outside off stump, shoulders arms once more
1.5 Gallage to Parore, no run, forward, defends down a fuller ball into
the leg side, Dharmasena in from square leg to field
1.6 Gallage to Parore, no run, squared around on the crease, gets a
streaky leading edge squirt away to point, Parore still yet to get
underway after 10 balls
End of over 2 (3 runs) New Zealand 3/0 (RR: 1.50)
IS Gallage 1-0-3-0 - City End
NJ Astle 3* (2b) AC Parore 0* (10b)
he can't afford many more in a 35-over innings before it gets
troubling for the home team
2.1 Zoysa to Astle, no run, hops on the crease to defend a straight
ball down towards forward square leg
2.2 Zoysa to Astle, no run, hops on the crease to defend an awkward
rising ball on leg stump, pings up high from the thigh pad, no
serious attempts made to get in to catch it with no signs of the
bat being involved
2.3 Zoysa to Astle, no run, shortish ball on off stump, firmly stroked
straight down to Sangakkara in the covers
2.4 Zoysa to Astle, no run, shortish ball, Astle tries to whip it off
the legs on one leg, but misses, from the pad and rebounds away to
Dharmasena at square leg
2.5 Zoysa to Astle, no run, dear oh dear, shortish ball outside off
stump, slashes hard at it, getting a regulation thick edge
straight to Arnold at second slip, and drops it clean out of the
hands, a terrible miss, a big let off early for Astle
surprisingly little reaction from the Sri Lankans, everything going
in slow motion
2.6 Zoysa to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, firmly clunked
straight up to mid off, two maidens to start with for Zoysa, fine
stuff
End of over 3 (maiden) New Zealand 3/0 (RR: 1.00)
DNT Zoysa 2-2-0-0 - Members End
AC Parore 0* (10b) NJ Astle 3* (8b)
3.1 Gallage to Parore, no run, full ball on off stump, softly drives,
chipping it up towards Jayasuriya who fields at mid off on the
bounce
3.2 Gallage to Parore, no run, props forward in defence, dropping it in
to the front pad, rebounds away to Sangakkara in the covers
3.3 Gallage to Parore, legbye: one run, quicker rising straight ball,
Parore tries to fend it to leg as it jags back and takes him on
the body, rebounds away towards cover point, Astle calls him
through for a quick single
3.4 Gallage to Astle, two runs, short ball on leg stump, tucked off the
hip down through backward square leg, an easy two on offer as
Zoysa fields from long leg
3.5 Gallage to Astle, no run, straighter ball, Astle tries to work it
to leg but picks out Dharmasena at forward square leg
3.6 Gallage to Astle, no run, shortish straight ball, Astle through the
shot a bit early, squared around and softly drops a leading edge
back on the leg side of the pitch
End of over 4 (3 runs) New Zealand 6/0 (RR: 1.50)
IS Gallage 2-0-5-0 - City End
AC Parore 0* (13b) NJ Astle 5* (11b)
4.1 Zoysa to Parore, no run, jumps on the crease, fends down in close
on the leg side, looking for a quick single but it's not on offer
as Dharmasena's in from square leg to field quickly
4.2 Zoysa to Parore, OUT: and Parore ends his rather poor attempted
effort at opening the innings, pulling at a short climbing ball,
getting a simple top edge looping up in the air, Kaluwitharana
shuffles across to his left and takes an easy catch
New Zealand 6/1, Partnership of 6
AC Parore c Kaluwitharana b Zoysa 0 (15b 0x4 0x6)
NJ Astle 5* (11b) DNT Zoysa 2.2-2-0-1
Stephen Fleming the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as they
crossed during the skied catch
4.3 Zoysa to Astle, wide: no run, shortish ball down the leg side, a
strict call for the wide from umpire Dunne as Astle left it,
didn't pass too far wide of leg stump
4.3 Zoysa to Astle, no run, leaves alone a good line and length ball
outside off stump
4.4 Zoysa to Astle, one run, quick climbing ball outside off stump,
pushing it through quickly, Astle jumps to awkwardly guide it down
to third man, the first run off the bat conceded by Zoysa in 16
balls
4.5 Zoysa to Fleming, FOUR, not a bad start for the captain, slightly
overpitched, Fleming turns it into a very low full toss, clipping
it away strongly through backward square leg, no chance for
Fernando at long leg to cut it off
4.6 Zoysa to Fleming, one run, angling on leg stump, turned down to
vacant short fine leg for an easy single, off to a relative flyer
considering his previous poor series form
End of over 5 (7 runs) New Zealand 13/1 (RR: 2.60)
DNT Zoysa 3-2-7-1 (1w) - Members End
SP Fleming 5* (2b 1x4) NJ Astle 6* (13b)
5.1 Gallage to Fleming, FOUR, Fleming's on fire! overpitched, lofted on
drive too straight of Jayasuriya at mid on, crashes down into the
boundary
5.2 Gallage to Fleming, no run, defends from the crease, dropping it
down in close on the leg side
5.3 Gallage to Fleming, one run, forward, quietly taps down in close on
the off side, Astle calls through for the smart single, well taken
in the end with the field set deep inside the circle
5.4 Gallage to Astle, no run, forward, watchfully defends a ball
outside off stump down to Fernando at mid on
5.5 Gallage to Astle, no run, hops on the crease, beaten a bit for
pace, taken high on the pad and drops down at his feet
5.6 Gallage to Astle, no run, fair length ball on off stump, turned
down to Dharmasena at midwicket
End of over 6 (5 runs) New Zealand 18/1 (RR: 3.00)
IS Gallage 3-0-10-0 - City End
SP Fleming 10* (5b 2x4) NJ Astle 6* (16b)
6.1 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, walks forward into a firm defensive push,
played straight back up on the off side of the pitch to the bowler
6.2 Zoysa to Fleming, (noball) no run, oversteps, quicker ball on leg
stump, tries to whip it away but is beaten for pace, drops down
from the thigh pad towards square leg
6.2 Zoysa to Fleming, SIX, quick climbing ball, pulls hard and gets a
thick top edge that spirals high and well clear over the deep
backward square leg boundary!
6.3 Zoysa to Fleming, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
straight up to de Silva at mid off
6.4 Zoysa to Fleming, wide: no run, angling well wide down the leg
side, tries to help it on its way but falls to far to the off side
and misses
6.4 Zoysa to Fleming, FOUR, overpitched on the toes, superbly driven
through midwicket, plenty of power and timing in it as he falls to
the off side to play it elegantly, a collection job for Jayasuriya
at mid on
6.5 Zoysa to Fleming, one run, forward, taps it down in close on the
off side, well run quick single taken with the shot, Fleming
looking infinitely more confident today than any other time in the
series
6.6 Zoysa to Astle, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
strongly punched but straight down to Sangakkara at cover
End of over 7 (13 runs) New Zealand 31/1 (RR: 4.43)
DNT Zoysa 4-2-20-1 (2w 1nb) - Members End
SP Fleming 21* (11b 3x4 1x6) NJ Astle 6* (17b)
7.1 Gallage to Fleming, no run, watchfully stabs forward in defence to
a ball on off stump, playing it away to shortish midwicket
7.2 Gallage to Fleming, no run, firmly drives a straight ball up to
Jayasuriya at mid on
7.3 Gallage to Fleming, two runs, short ball pulled forward of
Muralitharan at square leg, just overhauled inside the boundary
line but almost steps on it, a replay is called for, just inside
the line
7.4 Gallage to Fleming, two runs, driving outside off stump, gets a
thick edge in the air just wide of the diving Dharmasena at
backward point, Gallage despairs as he thought he had a wicket,
but it went a little fine, down to Zoysa around at deep backward
point
7.5 Gallage to Fleming, FOUR, superb shot! Fleming's trademark
classical shot, straight driven down through straight mid off, the
captain has magically rediscovered his touch in this little gem of
a knock so far
7.6 Gallage to Fleming, no run, tighter ball on off stump, defends down
in close on the off side
End of over 8 (8 runs) New Zealand 39/1 (RR: 4.88)
IS Gallage 4-0-18-0 - City End
NJ Astle 6* (17b) SP Fleming 29* (17b 4x4 1x6)
the first bowling change comes, with Kumar Dharmasena on to replace
Zoysa after an interesting spell of 4-2-20-1 - the first two overs
of that being the maidens!
8.1 Dharmasena to Astle, no run, forward, defends down to short
midwicket
8.2 Dharmasena to Astle, no run, shorter ball on off stump, tries to
steer it away but gets it straight to Fernando at backward point
on the circle edge
8.3 Dharmasena to Astle, one run, sweeps one drifting down the leg
side, good fielding by Jayasuriya diving to his left at short fine
leg, manages to parry it away to his left, just conceding the
single
8.4 Dharmasena to Fleming, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
lazily driven with ease down to de Silva now placed at long off
8.5 Dharmasena to Astle, no run, shortish ball turning in from off
stump, Astle tries to free the arms but chops it straight into the
ground and away to Sangakkara at cover
8.6 Dharmasena to Astle, no run, pushed through quicker and flatter,
turning into the pad and drops down in close on the leg side
End of over 9 (2 runs) New Zealand 41/1 (RR: 4.56)
HDPK Dharmasena 1-0-2-0 - Members End
SP Fleming 30* (18b 4x4 1x6) NJ Astle 7* (22b)
9.1 Gallage to Fleming, no run, stands tall to defend a fair ball on
off stump quietly down to Jayawardene at short cover
9.2 Gallage to Fleming, one run, shortish ball on the legs, whipped
away out to Muralitharan at deep square leg
9.3 Gallage to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, nudges
it down straight to Arnold at shortish cover point
9.4 Gallage to Astle, OUT: Astle jumps down the track and pulls hard
but gets a huge amount on to a top edge, three players charge
towards it, but it's Dharmasena who steadies himself, and takes it
falling on the second grab at deepish backward square leg
New Zealand 42/2, Partnership of 36
NJ Astle c Dharmasena b Gallage 7 (24b 0x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 31* (20b 4x4 1x6) IS Gallage 4.4-0-19-1
Astle swings his bat as he walks off, annoyed with himself for
another modest performance in the series
Roger Twose the new batsman
9.5 Gallage to Twose, no run, very good first up delivery for the new
batsman, lifting and leaving the left hander on a length, has a
nibble but it passes well wide of the outside edge, Gallage tries
it on with a huge appeal for caught behind but umpire Watkin and
Twose ignore him
9.6 Gallage to Twose, no run, forward, defending quietly down into the
off side
End of over 10 (1 run) New Zealand 42/2 (RR: 4.20)
IS Gallage 5-0-19-1 - City End
SP Fleming 31* (20b 4x4 1x6) RG Twose 0* (2b)
10.1 Dharmasena to Fleming, no run, well forward, pushes quietly
straight to Arnold at shortish cover
10.2 Dharmasena to Fleming, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly driven back on the off side, Dharmasena fields falling to
his right
10.3 Dharmasena to Fleming, no run, shorter ball pushed through quickly,
Fleming shuffles across in behind it outside off stump, driving
into the ground, back up to the bowler on the off side of the
pitch
10.4 Dharmasena to Fleming, one run, dangerously spoons a leading edge
away wide of Arnold at short cover, reaching a long way from his
body for it as it didn't arrive, but played it sufficiently square
out to Gallage at deep cover
10.5 Dharmasena to Twose, one run, Twose off the mark, cutting off the
back foot out to deep cover again
10.6 Dharmasena to Fleming, no run, shorter, flatter ball, cuts and
misses as it angles back in, not enough room for it as he plays
over the top of it
End of over 11 (2 runs) New Zealand 44/2 (RR: 4.00)
HDPK Dharmasena 2-0-4-0 - Members End
RG Twose 1* (3b) SP Fleming 32* (25b 4x4 1x6)
11.1 Gallage to Twose, legbye: one run, angling on leg stump, drops it
down from the thigh pad to vacant short fine leg for an easy
single
11.2 Gallage to Fleming, one run, full outside off, driven up towards
straight mid off, quick single taken with the shot, Fernando the
fielder, throws well wide of the mark at the stumps
11.3 Gallage to Twose, one run, Twose waves the wand at a quicker rising
ball outside off stump, gets a thick edge that flies at a very
comfortable catching height towards first slip but Kaluwitharana
dives across athletically to take it, only to spill it out of the
gloves upon
impact with the ground, a bit naughty from the keeper, a great
attempt in any case though
11.4 Gallage to Fleming, one run, shortish ball forced off the back foot
up towards wide mid off, well taken single with the stroke
11.5 Gallage to Twose, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
firmly down to backward point, not cleanly fielded by Dharmasena
diving away to his left, conceding the single as it rolls away
behind him
11.6 Gallage to Fleming, one run, climbing ball on off stump, jumps on
the crease to play it safely down to long off, six singles off the
over to bring up the 50 off 73 balls
End of over 12 (6 runs) New Zealand 50/2 (RR: 4.17)
IS Gallage 6-0-24-1 - City End
SP Fleming 35* (28b 4x4 1x6) RG Twose 3* (6b)
12.1 Dharmasena to Fleming, one run, flighted up full on off stump,
paddled around the corner down to Fernando at long leg
12.2 Dharmasena to Twose, no run, well forward to a flatter ball, into
the front pad and drops down in close on the off side
12.3 Dharmasena to Twose, no run, flighted up outside off stump, firmly
driven straight to Arnold at short cover
12.4 Dharmasena to Twose, no run, shorter ball, forced off the back foot
straight to Arnold once more
12.5 Dharmasena to Twose, no run, good tight ball probing on off stump,
Twose taps it away towards cover point, neither batsman interested
in pushing for the single as Arnold danced across to field
12.6 Dharmasena to Twose, no run, similar ball, this time played towards
point, no chance of a run on offer
End of over 13 (1 run) New Zealand 51/2 (RR: 3.92)
HDPK Dharmasena 3-0-5-0 - Members End
SP Fleming 36* (29b 4x4 1x6) RG Twose 3* (11b)
13.1 Gallage to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
guides a thick outside edge down to third man
13.2 Gallage to Twose, no run, useful sharp rising ball on a back of a
length just outside off stump, Twose shapes to play but quickly
pulls the bat back out of the path of the delivery at the very
last moment as it straightens through to the keeper
13.3 Gallage to Twose, no run, shortish ball on middle and leg, hops on
the crease trying to work it away on the leg side, misses, into
the top of the pad and drops down in dead in close on the leg side
13.4 Gallage to Twose, FOUR, shortish ball outside off stump, just sits
up a little and Twose picks it off well, pulling over vacant wide
midwicket, just pitching inside the boundary line
13.5 Gallage to Twose, (noball) SIX, oversteps and overpitched, Twose
employs his favourite Max cricket stroke, stand and deliver,
lofting straight over straight long off, and $800 goes begging as
a spectator drops the catch
13.5 Gallage to Twose, one run, works it well, with plenty of room on
the leg side, dropping it away through vacant square leg for the
easiest of singles
absolutely nobody but mid on inside the circle on the leg side, and
then just deep square leg and long leg in the deep, plenty of room
if the lines are not good from the bowler
13.6 Gallage to Fleming, no run, straight ball, tapped down to
midwicket, the fielder now in place with Fleming on strike
End of over 14 (13 runs) New Zealand 64/2 (RR: 4.57)
IS Gallage 7-0-37-1 (1nb) - City End
RG Twose 14* (16b 1x4 1x6) SP Fleming 37* (31b 4x4 1x6)
14.1 Dharmasena to Twose, no run, flat ball angling on, cuts and misses
playing over the top of it, no room at all with which to work
14.2 Dharmasena to Twose, legbye: two runs, a similar ball but this time
tries to lap it, awkwardly done as he misses it altogether, but
deflects it luckily fine off the pad, with Jayawardene forces to
chase from short third man
14.3 Dharmasena to Twose, no run, opens the face, dabbling it straight
to Jayawardene at short third man
14.4 Dharmasena to Twose, legbye: one run, goes a long way outside off
stump to lap one that slides on and angles well in, taking the pad
just outside the line of off stump, deflecting away to vacant
short fine leg as Dharmasena appeals
14.5 Dharmasena to Fleming, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends
back on the off side of the pitch
14.6 Dharmasena to Fleming, one run, Fleming gets in on the lapping act,
getting a full ball away off a top edge safely down through fine
leg
End of over 15 (4 runs) New Zealand 68/2 (RR: 4.53)
HDPK Dharmasena 4-0-6-0 - Members End
SP Fleming 38* (33b 4x4 1x6) RG Twose 14* (20b 1x4 1x6)
Mutiah Muralitharan on to bowl, replacing Gallage who has bowled
out his maximum of 7 overs for 1-37 at the City End
15.1 Muralitharan to Fleming, no run, flighted full on off stump, firmly
driven straight back on the off side, Muralitharan makes a good
diving stop to his right
15.2 Muralitharan to Fleming, no run, flighted up full, watchfully
forward, defending back on the off side
15.3 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, props well forward in defence,
not with full conviction but manages to squirt one away to vacant
midwicket for an easy run as the bowler has to field himself
15.4 Muralitharan to Twose, no run, flatter ball angling in from around
the wicket to the left hander, defends away into the off side from
the front pad
15.5 Muralitharan to Twose, no run, shorter ball still, Twose goes back
and tries to run it away, but it's well protected backward of
square on the off side inside the circle
15.6 Muralitharan to Twose, no run, flighted up rather full, looks to
work it to leg but is checked in the shot, defending quietly back
down the pitch
End of over 16 (1 run) New Zealand 69/2 (RR: 4.31)
M Muralitharan 1-0-1-0 - City End
SP Fleming 39* (36b 4x4 1x6) RG Twose 14* (23b 1x4 1x6)
Dilhara Fernando replaces Dharmasena at the Members End, after a
spell of 0-6 from 4 overs
16.1 Fernando to Fleming, wide: no run, shortish ball angling down the
leg side, plays and misses, signalled wide by umpire Dunne
16.1 Fernando to Fleming, legbye: one run, quicker ball pushed through
fuller, falls away to the off side trying to clip it away through
the leg side, drops from the pad in close on the leg side for a
tight single called through for by an insistent Twose as Fernando
yells for the lbw
16.2 Fernando to Twose, no run, tight rising ball on off stump, defends
down in close on the off side
16.3 Fernando to Twose, FOUR, oh dear, very short ball outside off
stump, strongly pulled, dragging it a long way down from chest
height but straight to Jayasuriya at midwicket, the captain has a
quick shy at the bowler's end with Fleming hovering about the
crease, misses and
with no back-up it races away to the cover boundary!
16.4 Fernando to Twose, wide: no run, shortish ball angling down the leg
side, well left alone
16.4 Fernando to Twose, (noball) no run, now he oversteps, ruining what
was otherwise a very nice quick rising ball that forced Twose to
sway back out of the way for personal safety
16.4 Fernando to Twose, one run, angling down the leg side, turned
quietly down to Zoysa at long leg
16.5 Fernando to Fleming, wide: no run, wide outside off stump this
time! a long over this one from Fernando
16.5 Fernando to Fleming, FOUR, sharpish short rising ball outside off
stump, Fleming sways back and steers it it very fine off the face,
too good for third man running across who gives up the chase
16.6 Fernando to Fleming, no run, angling down the leg side, umpire
Dunne half motions for the wide, it was rather marginal but he
held the arms by his sides to mercifully end the 10-ball over
costing 13 runs
End of over 17 (14 runs) New Zealand 83/2 (RR: 4.88)
CRD Fernando 1-0-13-0 (3w 1nb) - Members End
RG Twose 19* (27b 2x4 1x6) SP Fleming 43* (39b 5x4 1x6)
and it's time for a drinks break
17.1 Muralitharan to Twose, no run, stabs forward in defence to a lovely
ball turning away from the outside edge through to the keeper
17.2 Muralitharan to Twose, one run, flighted up fuller, worked down to
Fernando at long on
17.3 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, stretches well forward, working
it away towards long on but with less power, they take a quick
single with the shot as Muralitharan darts to his left and has a
shy at the bowler's end from side on and close range, missing with
Fleming gone for all
money had it hit directly
17.4 Muralitharan to Twose, OUT: reaching well forward in defence to
another lovely ball turning well away past the grouping outside
edge, the back foot slides forward out of the crease and
Kaluwitharana whips off the bails, with the replay showing him
just on the line, which
New Zealand 85/3, Partnership of 43
RG Twose st Kaluwitharana b Muralitharan 20 (30b 2x4 1x6)
SP Fleming 44* (40b 5x4 1x6) M Muralitharan 1.4-0-3-1
it was all rather in slow motion, little reaction from anyone on
the field, or off it for that matter, but umpire Dunne went to the
replay and he was just gone
Craig McMillan the new batsman
17.5 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flighted full, driven straight
down to Zoysa at long on to get off the mark immediately
17.6 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
reaching well forward for it, just getting it away safely up
towards wide mid off
End of over 18 (4 runs) New Zealand 87/3 (RR: 4.83)
M Muralitharan 2-0-5-1 - City End
SP Fleming 45* (41b 5x4 1x6) CD McMillan 1* (1b)
18.1 de Silva to Fleming, one run, floated up invitingly outside off
stump, neatly turned away in close square on the leg side, good
quick run taken with the shot
18.2 de Silva to McMillan, one run, turning into the pads, easily
clipped out to Fernando at deep square leg
18.3 de Silva to Fleming, one run, well forward, driving firmly down to
Dharmasena at deepish long on
18.4 de Silva to McMillan, no run, flighted up and turning in on off
stump, forced straight back down the track to the bowler
18.5 de Silva to McMillan, one run, similar again but this time manages
to get it away wide of de Silva, down to sub fielder Atapattu at
long on
18.6 de Silva to Fleming, one run, turning down the leg side, worked
away through backward square leg, the singles milked with ease
End of over 19 (5 runs) New Zealand 92/3 (RR: 4.84)
PA de Silva 1-0-5-0 - Members End
SP Fleming 48* (44b 5x4 1x6) CD McMillan 3* (4b)
19.1 Muralitharan to Fleming, no run, flighted up and turning away
outside off stump, stretches forward shouldering arms
19.2 Muralitharan to Fleming, no run, and same again, well forward,
shouldering arms to one turning away outside off stump through to
the keeper
19.3 Muralitharan to Fleming, no run, well forward, defending quietly
down in close on the off side, practising a guiding shot through
backward point after playing it
19.4 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, reaches a long way forward to a
straighter one, turning it out through vacant midwicket to
Jayawardene coming in from the deep
19.5 Muralitharan to McMillan, no run, tight ball turning in on off
stump, opens the face to run it directly to de Silva at short
third man
19.6 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, well forward to one on the legs,
turned down through square leg
End of over 20 (2 runs) New Zealand 94/3 (RR: 4.70)
M Muralitharan 3-0-7-1 - City End
CD McMillan 4* (6b) SP Fleming 49* (48b 5x4 1x6)
Fernando returns after a one-over break at the Members End,
replacing de Silva after one five-run over
20.1 Fernando to McMillan, no run, good tight ball seaming back in from
off stump, cramps McMillan up, just managing to defend it away
into the covers
20.2 Fernando to McMillan, FOUR, quick rising ball outside off stump,
McMillan plays a big drive well on the up, getting a thick edge
just flying over the leaping Jayawardene's hands at slip
20.3 Fernando to McMillan, no run, excellent full ball outside off
stump, forces McMillan to jam right down on it, digging it out to
Jayasuriya at extra cover
20.4 Fernando to McMillan, one run, short ball just outside off stump,
McMillan deliberately holds the bat tight in to the body to run a
thick edge down to third man with comfort
20.5 Fernando to Fleming, one run, tight ball on off stump, hops on the
crease to run it down to third man, bringing up both his 50 off 49
balls, 5x5, 1x6 and the New Zealand 100 off 128 balls
20.6 Fernando to McMillan, one run, jumps on the crease, tapping it down
towards vacant midwicket for a brisk single with the shot
End of over 21 (7 runs) New Zealand 101/3 (RR: 4.81)
CRD Fernando 2-0-20-0 (3w 1nb) - Members End
CD McMillan 10* (11b 1x4) SP Fleming 50* (49b 5x4 1x6)
21.1 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
McMillan dances down the track to look to send it over the top,
but not totally to it, playing inside out and scooping it out
towards deep point, just landing short of Muralitharan charging in
to field from the deep
21.2 Muralitharan to Fleming, no run, Fleming too plays rather inside
out, wristily working one straight to Arnold at cover
21.3 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, worked away well wide of the
bowler on the leg side for an easy single
21.4 Muralitharan to McMillan, no run, forward, turning into the pads,
defends down square on the leg side
21.5 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
driven down to Fernando at long off
21.6 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, flighted up outside off stump,
driven down to Zoysa at long off
End of over 22 (4 runs) New Zealand 105/3 (RR: 4.77)
M Muralitharan 4-0-11-1 - City End
SP Fleming 52* (52b 5x4 1x6) CD McMillan 12* (14b 1x4)
22.1 Fernando to Fleming, one run, short ball on off stump, hops on the
crease and drops it down in close square on the off side, good
quick single taken with the shot as it's played short of the
circle edge fielders
22.2 Fernando to McMillan, one run, full outside off stump, driven
straight up to long off
22.3 Fernando to Fleming, no run, full on leg stump, tries to pick it
away through square leg but misses, rebounds away from the pads
towards point
22.4 Fernando to Fleming, one run, jumps on the crease to a straight
short rising ball, works it away nicely backward of point for a
good sharp single
22.5 Fernando to McMillan, legbye: one run, super quick rising ball,
McMillan ducks right into it, rebounds away off the back of the
helmet to vacant square leg, an easy single called leg bye by
umpire Dunne, not a no-ball as he came into it
22.6 Fernando to Fleming, no run, quick full ball, Fleming overbalances
as he plays it away into the covers, half looking to take a quick
run
End of over 23 (4 runs) New Zealand 109/3 (RR: 4.74)
CRD Fernando 3-0-23-0 (3w 1nb) - Members End
CD McMillan 13* (16b 1x4) SP Fleming 54* (56b 5x4 1x6)
23.1 Muralitharan to McMillan, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
firmly driven straight back down the pitch to the bowler
23.2 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flighted in to the toes, driven
down to Zoysa at long on
23.3 Muralitharan to Fleming, two runs, flighted up wide outside off
stump, powerfully driven to Dharmasena in the covers, through his
legs as fails to stop it completely, rolls into open space and
they're able to sneak back for a second
23.4 Muralitharan to Fleming, two runs, flighted up outside off stump,
driven down through wide mid off, well run second by McMillan
charging back to the danger end as the throw comes in,
Muralitharan drops it away from the stumps
23.5 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, flighted full, turned away well
wide of the bowler on the leg side for an easy milked single
23.6 Muralitharan to McMillan, one run, flighted on the toes, turned
away out through forward square leg
End of over 24 (7 runs) New Zealand 116/3 (RR: 4.83)
M Muralitharan 5-0-18-1 - City End
CD McMillan 15* (19b 1x4) SP Fleming 59* (59b 5x4 1x6)
24.1 Fernando to McMillan, no run, full and quick well outside off
stump, drives and misses playing over the top of it through to the
keeper
24.2 Fernando to McMillan, one run, angling down the leg side, clipped
away through backward square leg
24.3 Fernando to Fleming, no run, drives a full ball straight up to de
Silva at mid on
24.4 Fernando to Fleming, one run, good fuller ball, Fleming just
manages to dig it out with one hand coming off the bat, rolling up
towards mid on and they steal a good quick single as it goes
slowly up to de Silva
24.5 Fernando to McMillan, (noball) no run, Fernando can't help himself
with McMillan back on strike, digs it in a bit too short, ducking
well underneath it through to the keeper
24.5 Fernando to McMillan, one run, drives strongly on the up, played
straight down to de Silva at long off
McMillan and Fernando have a few verbals as they pass one another
at the non-striker's end, it's not a very cosy time between these
two so far this match, and umpire Dunne points a finger, telling
them to cut it out, no doubt
24.6 Fernando to Fleming, one run, driven straight down the ground to
long on, again McMillan and Fernando engage in a little by-play,
giving each other a bit of a stare
End of over 25 (5 runs) New Zealand 121/3 (RR: 4.84)
CRD Fernando 4-0-28-0 (3w 2nb) - Members End
SP Fleming 61* (62b 5x4 1x6) CD McMillan 17* (23b 1x4)
Dharmasena replaces Muralitharan after a spell of 1-18 from 5 overs
at the City End
25.1 Dharmasena to Fleming, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
cuts and misses as it turns away from the left-hander
25.2 Dharmasena to Fleming, one run, flighted fuller and straighter,
easily turned off his legs out to Jayawardene at deep midwicket
25.3 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, floated up invitingly, McMillan
tries to latch on to it on bended knee but not quite to the pitch
of it, dragging it around the corner out to deep backward square
leg where Fernando fields
25.4 Dharmasena to Fleming, one run, flighted up on the toes, clipped
along the ground out to Jayawardene strolling in from the deep to
field
25.5 Dharmasena to McMillan, one run, flat ball, worked away towards
midwicket, quick single taken with the shot as Jayasuriya darts to
his right and flings at the bowler's end but McMillan's safely
through
25.6 Dharmasena to Fleming, one run, driven low in the air straight down
to Zoysa at long on
End of over 26 (5 runs) New Zealand 126/3 (RR: 4.85)
HDPK Dharmasena 5-0-11-0 - City End
SP Fleming 64* (66b 5x4 1x6) CD McMillan 19* (25b 1x4)
Muralitharan returns, replacing Fernando at the Members End after a
spell of three overs conceding 15 runs
26.1 Muralitharan to Fleming, one run, flighted up widish outside off
stump, strongly driven straight down to sub fielder Atapattu at
wide long off
26.2 Muralitharan to McMillan, OUT: McMillan couldn't resist
Muralitharan's charms, but picks the wrong ball to go after as
it's flighted well up wide outside off stump, swings and misses
looking to send it straight back over his head, and Kaluwitharana
does the rest without
New Zealand 127/4, Partnership of 42
CD McMillan st Kaluwitharana b Muralitharan 19 (26b 1x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 65* (67b 5x4 1x6) M Muralitharan 5.2-0-19-2
batting an eyelid
McMillan had the right intentions at this stage, but not good
cricket as to how he went about it
Lou Vincent the new batsman
26.3 Muralitharan to Vincent, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
stretches well forward in defence down in close on the off side
26.4 Muralitharan to Vincent, no run, flighted straighter on the toes,
driven straight up to Atapattu at mid on
26.5 Muralitharan to Vincent, no run, Vincent reels out his favoured
sweep shot again, but plays it around the corner straight to
Jayasuriya at short fine leg
26.6 Muralitharan to Vincent, no run, looking for the sweep again but
turns into the front pad, rebounding away to square leg, bringing
a stifled appeal for lbw
End of over 27 (1 run) New Zealand 127/4 (RR: 4.70)
M Muralitharan 6-0-19-2 - Members End
SP Fleming 65* (67b 5x4 1x6) L Vincent 0* (4b)
a spell of 1 over for 5 runs from Dharmasena is ended, de Silva on
to bowl at the City End
27.1 de Silva to Fleming, no run, driven straight back to the bowler
from the crease
27.2 de Silva to Fleming, one run, nudged away towards vacant midwicket,
quick single taken with the shot
27.3 de Silva to Vincent, OUT: Vincent tries to sweep once more,
stretches a long way forward, turns into front pad, bringing a
huge appeal from de Silva, and umpire Watkin raises the finger, a
tough call as it turned a long way in from outside off stump,
striking on off
New Zealand 128/5, Partnership of 1
L Vincent lbw b de Silva 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 66* (69b 5x4 1x6) PA de Silva 1.3-0-6-1
a quick double blow for Sri Lanka, they will certainly be aiming to
keep New Zealand pegged down around the 180 or less mark, whilst
the aim for the home side must be 200+ to be competitive on this
modest sized ground
Chris Harris the new batsman as the ground is now bathed in
glorious sunshine, bringing a perfect atmosphere for the fair
crowd in attendance
27.4 de Silva to Harris, one run, sweeps first up and gets it away
nicely, down to Jayawardene round at deep backward square leg
27.5 de Silva to Fleming, no run, flighted up outside off, stroked away
on the off side of the pitch
27.6 de Silva to Fleming, no run, watchfully pushed straight back down
the pitch to the bowler
End of over 28 (2 runs) New Zealand 129/5 (RR: 4.61)
PA de Silva 2-0-7-1 - City End
CZ Harris 1* (1b) SP Fleming 66* (71b 5x4 1x6)
just 3 runs and 2 wickets falling in the last 2 overs as the breaks
have been applied nicely
Jayasuriya brings himself on to bowl at the Members End, replacing
Muralitharan
28.1 Jayasuriya to Harris, no run, defends back on the off side of the
pitch
28.2 Jayasuriya to Harris, one run, driven straight down to long on
28.3 Jayasuriya to Fleming, no run, shorter ball, tries to work it off
the legs but turns it straight to the backward square leg fielder
28.4 Jayasuriya to Fleming, one run, flighted up full, punchily driven
down the ground on the leg side, just past Jayawardene at wide mid
on, down to long on
28.5 Jayasuriya to Harris, one run, shortish ball, swung away out to
deep midwicket, Fleming looks for the second but Harris doesn't
want it as Dharmasena flings it back in from the deep
28.6 Jayasuriya to Fleming, no run, flatter ball, into the pads on leg
stump as he tries to whip it away, drops down in close on the leg
side for Kaluwitharana to tidy up
End of over 29 (3 runs) New Zealand 132/5 (RR: 4.55)
ST Jayasuriya 1-0-3-0 - Members End
CZ Harris 3* (4b) SP Fleming 67* (74b 5x4 1x6)
29.1 de Silva to Harris, no run, tight ball on off stump, Harris turns
it away from off to leg straight to Atapattu at midwicket
29.2 de Silva to Harris, one run, a bit of width outside off stump,
quietly pushed out through vacant point to Dharmasena in the deep
29.3 de Silva to Fleming, OUT: the self-destruction continues, this time
the captain goes after a neat knock, but at a rather inopportune
stage, dancing down the pitch and lofting straight down to Zoysa
coming in at long on, taking a safe catch at knee height to his
left
New Zealand 133/6, Partnership of 5
SP Fleming c Zoysa b de Silva 67 (75b 5x4 1x6)
CZ Harris 4* (6b) PA de Silva 2.3-0-8-2
New Zealand have now lost 3 wickets for 6 runs in the last 20
balls, losing their way badly now
Jacob Oram the new batsman
29.4 de Silva to Harris, one run, driven from the crease out to
Dharmasena at deep cover
29.5 de Silva to Oram, no run, forced straight back down the pitch to
the bowler
29.6 de Silva to Oram, no run, floated up on the toes, well forward,
dropping it down in close on the leg side
End of over 30 (2 runs) New Zealand 134/6 (RR: 4.47)
PA de Silva 3-0-9-2 - City End
CZ Harris 5* (7b) JDP Oram 0* (2b)
Dharmasena replaces Jayasuriya after just 1 over for 3 runs, as the
captain rotates all the bowlers regularly in the innings
30.1 Dharmasena to Harris, two runs, strongly pull/swept through vacant
square leg from outside off stump, two fielders converge on it to
field, Arnold around from deep backward square leg to get to it
first at shin height on the run
30.2 Dharmasena to Harris, one run, driven straight down to long on
30.3 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, pushed straight back along the pitch on
the off side to the bowler
30.4 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, forward, defends straight back down the
pitch, the crowd starting to get rather frustrated now
30.5 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, gives himself some room outside off
stump but it's a bit straight, only able to guide it away straight
to backward point
30.6 Dharmasena to Oram, no run, jumps down the track but again is
cramped up, forcing it straight to short cover
End of over 31 (3 runs) New Zealand 137/6 (RR: 4.42)
HDPK Dharmasena 6-0-14-0 - Members End
CZ Harris 8* (9b) JDP Oram 0* (6b)
just 11 runs from the last 5 overs now, New Zealand completely
bogged down and will be lucky to make 160 from here, not a good
effort considering the middle order set it up for a fair few more
31.1 de Silva to Harris, one run, swept away strongly through backward
square leg, looking for the second but too hesitant as Jayawardene
fires back the throw in the deep
31.2 de Silva to Oram, SIX, floated up very invitingly, Oram takes up
the offer and sends it straight back over his head, crashing into
the base of the hoarding in front of the sightscreen, done with
such ease
Oram gets off the mark after 7 balls, and does it in useful style!
31.3 de Silva to Oram, FOUR, shorter, flatter ball outside off stump,
slices a cut nicely away very fine, Sangakkara chases from short
third man but crashes into the hoardings as it beats him to the
boundary
31.4 de Silva to Oram, SIX, oh dear! down the track and lofts it high
down the ground, but Zoysa lines it up at wide long on, but
doesn't get in behind it, making a terrible hash of it in the end,
dropping it to his left and over the boundary line
31.5 de Silva to Oram, two runs, driven out through the covers, only
time for two this time
31.6 de Silva to Oram, wide: no run, angling well wide down the leg
side, came down the pitch but misses, the keeper deflects it to
short fine leg, another ball to be bowled
31.6 de Silva to Oram, SIX, massive! sends this one sailing a long way
back over wide long on, many metres back into the well populated
hill
End of over 32 (26 runs) New Zealand 163/6 (RR: 5.09)
PA de Silva 4-0-35-2 (1w) - City End
CZ Harris 9* (10b) JDP Oram 24* (11b 1x4 3x6)
a superb over from Oram, done with such effortless ease, 26 off it
in all, 24 from his bat
32.1 Dharmasena to Harris, two runs, short ball, swung away well through
backward square leg, time for a couple as it's played finer of the
deep fielder
32.2 Dharmasena to Harris, one run, worked off the hip straight out to
deep square leg this time
32.3 Dharmasena to Oram, OUT: Oram latches on to another one, but pulls
this one too flat, straight out to Muralitharan at deep midwicket,
ending a tremendous little cameo knock
New Zealand 166/7, Partnership of 33
JDP Oram c Muralitharan b Dharmasena 24 (12b 1x4 3x6)
CZ Harris 12* (12b) HDPK Dharmasena 6.3-0-17-1
Daniel Vettori the new batsman, at the non-striker's end
32.4 Dharmasena to Harris, one run, worked away through vacant square
leg
32.5 Dharmasena to Vettori, two runs, Vettori underway smartly, paddling
a flighted ball outside off stump around the corner through short
fine leg, hurrying back well for a second
32.6 Dharmasena to Vettori, one run, swung away through wide mid on,
down to Sangakkara in the deep on the bounce
End of over 33 (7 runs) New Zealand 170/7 (RR: 5.15)
HDPK Dharmasena 7-0-21-1 - Members End
DL Vettori 3* (2b) CZ Harris 13* (13b)
two overs left to bowl, and suddenly New Zealand could eye up 190+
thanks to Oram's remarkable over
Muralitharan returns for his final over, replacing de Silva who
took 2-35 from his 4 overs
33.1 Muralitharan to Vettori, no run, flat ball turning away outside off
stump, cuts and misses playing over the top of it
33.2 Muralitharan to Vettori, no run, exactly the same again! plays and
misses
33.3 Muralitharan to Vettori, two runs, gives himself plenty more room
this time, but almost makes it three from three, just getting a
bottom edge through the keeper's legs, Sangakkara has to chase
from short third man
33.4 Muralitharan to Vettori, two runs, dear oh dear! down the track,
looking to loft down the ground but plays a bit inside edge,
getting a big top edge that goes straight up in the air, but
Fernando makes a terrible mess of it at extra cover, going too far
forward to it, and ends
up missing it back behind his head, not getting a hand to it at
all! the batsmen sneak back for a second
33.5 Muralitharan to Vettori, no run, flat ball a bit wide outside off
stump, again giving himself room, but cutting and missing through
to the keeper
33.6 Muralitharan to Vettori, legbye: one run, quicker full ball on the
legs, drops down in close on the leg side for a quick run
End of over 34 (5 runs) New Zealand 175/7 (RR: 5.15)
M Muralitharan 7-0-23-2 - City End
DL Vettori 7* (8b) CZ Harris 13* (13b)
a good over to finish Muralitharan's fine spell of 2-23 from 7
overs
Zoysa back to bowl the final over, around the wicket to Vettori
34.1 Zoysa to Vettori, SIX, a half volley, Vettori with plenty of room
swings it away hard and high over wide long on, clearing
Sangakkara comfortably on the boundary edge, got on to it very
nicely indeed
34.2 Zoysa to Vettori, OUT: short rising ball outside off stump, Vettori
uses the pace and bounce to steer it away but straight down the
throat of sub fielder Atapattu at third man right inside the
boundary line, another quick cameo comes to an end
New Zealand 181/8, Partnership of 15
DL Vettori c sub (MS Atapattu) b Zoysa 13 (10b 0x4 1x6)
CZ Harris 13* (13b) DNT Zoysa 4.2-2-26-2 (2w 1nb)
Daryl Tuffey the new batsman, at the non-striker's end
34.3 Zoysa to Harris, OUT: Zoysa on a hat-trick! quick and full angling
into the pads, they hurry for a quick leg bye but up goes the
finger of umpire Dunne as Zoysa appeals loudly
New Zealand 181/9, Partnership of 0
CZ Harris lbw b Zoysa 13 (14b 0x4 0x6)
DR Tuffey 0* (0b) DNT Zoysa 4.3-2-26-3 (2w 1nb)
and out comes Chris Martin the final batsman, to face up to the
hat-trick, Zoysa must rate his chances highly here!
34.4 Zoysa to Martin, no run, very full and wide outside off stump,
plays and misses through to the keeper, hat-trick averted!
34.5 Zoysa to Martin, no run, plays and misses at a good quick rising
ball just outside off stump, lovely delivery to any quality
batsman
34.6 Zoysa to Martin, one run, full outside off stump, scooped up
towards Jayasuriya at mid off, they scamper for the run as it's
under-armed at the bowler's end, missing from side on and Martin
grabs the single to complete the innings
End of over 35 (7 runs) New Zealand 182/9 (RR: 5.20)
DNT Zoysa 5-2-27-3 (2w 1nb) - Members End
CS Martin 1* (3b) DR Tuffey 0* (0b)
New Zealand finish with another modest total that will be rather
vulnerable in the conditions, but at least this one had its
moments of excitement and quality about it, if not consistency
throughout the batting order
they threatened to stutter to a paltry total at the end but the two
lefties Oram and Vettori had a late hit out, grabbing 37 off 22
balls between them, including 4 sixes
Zoysa once again bowled tremendously, taking 3 more wickets to take
his series tally to 8 at just 10.25 each, and an immaculate
economy rate of 2.92 per over, currently the bowler of the series,
just edging out Muralitharan who also bowled rather well to
we have just a 10 minute break between innings in this reduced
overs encounter, already a few shadows are encroaching on the
ground as we head into the evening without lights - it will be
most interesting if we last past 8pm and see how the light fades!
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field after a short break, with Sanath
Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana to open the batting,
Jayasuriya to take first strike to Chris Martin from the Members
End
0.1 Martin to Jayasuriya, wide: no run, short ball swinging away late
outside off stump, left alone through to the keeper
0.1 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, lovely second ball, whips it in with
extra pace, rising off a tricky length, defeating Jayasuriya
propping forward in defence
0.2 Martin to Jayasuriya, wide: no run, a shocker, short and wide well
down the leg side, Parore dives away to his right to make a fine
save
0.2 Martin to Jayasuriya, SIX, full and wide outside off stump,
Jayasuriya fair launches into that one, powered away over cover
point, a spectator wrapped in a sheet falls over the CricInfo.com
hoarding to take a catch worth $800! "it's all happening here!"
0.3 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, the inconsistent Martin replies with
another perfect line and length ball slanting across the left-
hander through to the keeper
0.4 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, quick rising ball outside off stump,
Jayasuriya hops on the crease to defend down from the bottom edge
into the deck, bounces back towards the off stump and has to
watchfully stop it dead before it does any more harm
0.5 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, quick ball outside off stump, leaves
well alone through to the keeper
End of over 1 (8 runs) Sri Lanka 8/0 (RR: 8.00 RRR: 175/34 = 5.15)
CS Martin 1-0-8-0 (2w) - Members End
RS Kaluwitharana 0* (0b) ST Jayasuriya 6* (5b 1x6)
with all the action in the opening over, two wides and a six, over
is called with one ball left to be bowled
Daryl Tuffey to bowl from the City End
1.1 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, wide: no run, Tuffey not off to a good
start on his return, pushing one through well wide down the leg
side, Parore drops it out of the gloves going to his left
1.1 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, (noball) no run, and now digs it in short,
too short, Kaluwitharana attempts a hook but it went through
slower than expected, takes the no-ball as consolation
1.1 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, no run, shuffles right across to off stump
to avoid a shortish ball on leg stump, just passing wide and well
high
1.2 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, one run, driving outside off stump, gets a
thick outside edge in the air down to Martin at third man on the
bounce
1.3 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends with a dead bat down in close on the off side
1.4 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, quietly defends down in close on the
off side of the pitch once more to a fair length ball just outside
off stump
1.5 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, much better ball on a back of a
length, squares Jayasuriya around somewhat, fending away towards
Vettori at point
1.6 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away
through backward square leg for an easy single as McMillan comes
up from long leg to field
End of over 2 (4 runs) Sri Lanka 12/0 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 171/33 = 5.18)
DR Tuffey 1-0-4-0 (1w 1nb) - City End
ST Jayasuriya 7* (9b 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 1* (3b)
2.1 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, quick ball angling into the pads,
belated appeal from behind the wicket and then the bowler as it
takes the pad and rebounds away to square leg, pitching outside
leg stump
2.2 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, lovely quick ball outside off stump
angling across the left-hander, Jayasuriya does well to stay
inside the line of the delivery through to the keeper
2.3 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball on off stump,
powerfully forced away off the back foot forward of point, Harris
makes a tremendous diving save to his right to prevent a certain
four
2.4 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, quicker ball pushed through as
Jayasuriya stretches well forward, into the pad, half appeal from
the slips
2.5 Martin to Jayasuriya, (noball) no run, very quick short pitched
ball, goes well over Jayasuriya's head through to the keeper
2.5 Martin to Jayasuriya, legbye: one run, full on leg stump, turned
away off the pads backward of square leg for an easy single
2.6 Martin to Kaluwitharana, no run, hops on the crease to defend a
shortish ball, played down to square leg
End of over 3 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 14/0 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 169/32 = 5.28)
CS Martin 2-0-9-0 (2w 1nb) - Members End
ST Jayasuriya 7* (15b 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 1* (4b)
3.1 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
Jayasuriya stands on the crease to try and crash it away through
the covers, but mistimes the flat bat shot down into the ground,
up to McMillan at wide mid off
3.2 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, one run, angling down the leg side, strongly
picked up off the legs, Martin makes good ground around from long
leg to field inside the boundary, firing back a high throw that is
lost in the sun by Parore but Harris just manages to parry it down
backing up
fine piece of fielding but the sun is setting, could've been
embarrassing for a moment then
3.3 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, one run, shortish ball down the leg side,
goes for a pull but doesn't get a lot on it, just dragging it down
to fine leg for the single
3.4 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, FOUR, juicy half volley just outside off
stump, Jayasuriya needs no second invitations, lofting it over
extra cover, pitching just inside the boundary line, all too easy
3.5 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, better line and length, requires a
respectful defensive shot on the leg side of the pitch
3.6 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away
off the hip down to Martin at long leg
End of over 4 (7 runs) Sri Lanka 21/0 (RR: 5.25 RRR: 162/31 = 5.23)
DR Tuffey 2-0-11-0 (1w 1nb) - City End
ST Jayasuriya 13* (20b 1x4 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 2* (5b)
4.1 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, good quick ball sliding across the
left hander through to Parore
4.2 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, sharp rising ball on off stump, hops
on the crease in defence, playing it straight down into the pitch
4.3 Martin to Jayasuriya, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump,
Jayasuriya in punishing form and deals to it, slammed through
vacant cover with authority
4.4 Martin to Jayasuriya, wide: no run, shortish ball angling down the
leg side, the opening bowlers are just too inconsistent at the
moment
4.4 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, and suddenly back on to the good line
and length, bowling this one just short of a length outside off
stump, Jayasuriya awkwardly fends down at it, chopping an inside
edge back down towards square leg
4.5 Martin to Jayasuriya, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, 'see you
later' says Jayasuriya, thumping it in the air straight down the
ground on the off side, with no mid off in place it's just asking
to be targeted, with McMillan fielding at extra cover the closest
to it to chase
but it's struck far to well to be overhauled
4.6 Martin to Jayasuriya, no run, defends compactly away towards Harris
at point
End of over 5 (9 runs) Sri Lanka 30/0 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 153/30 = 5.10)
CS Martin 3-0-18-0 (3w 1nb) - Members End
RS Kaluwitharana 2* (5b) ST Jayasuriya 21* (26b 3x4 1x6)
the first bowling change, with Jacob Oram coming on for Tuffey
after 2 overs costing 11 runs at the City End
5.1 Oram to Kaluwitharana, no run, useful first up delivery, seaming
one back in sharply from outside off stump, hurries through
Kaluwitharana who gets it rebounding away towards point from the
pad
5.2 Oram to Kaluwitharana, FOUR, overpitched and dealt with Jayasuriya-
style, one foot down to it, and lofted straight back down the
ground, between bowler and Vincent at mid off
5.3 Oram to Kaluwitharana, FOUR, and again, strays terribly, down the
leg side and on a 'pick-uppable' length, lifted over midwicket
with leisurely ease
5.4 Oram to Kaluwitharana, two runs, shortish rising straight ball,
mistimes a pull shot down just square of Astle now posted in at
short midwicket, McMillan around from deep square leg to field but
not before they scoot back for a second
5.5 Oram to Kaluwitharana, FOUR, too short and wide outside off stump,
powerfully back cut through gully, Martin does his best to slide
around from third man, gets to it but doesn't stop it cleanly,
bouncing up over the boundary line
5.6 Oram to Kaluwitharana, no run, shortish ball, tries to work it to
leg but only manages to drop it straight down to Twose at short
fine leg
End of over 6 (14 runs) Sri Lanka 44/0 (RR: 7.33 RRR: 139/29 = 4.79)
JDP Oram 1-0-14-0 - City End
ST Jayasuriya 21* (26b 3x4 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 16* (11b 3x4)
Tuffey returns, switching ends, replacing Martin after bowling 3
overs for 18 runs at the Members End
6.1 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, leaves alone a good line and length
ball outside off stump, keeping the bat held well back out from it
through to the keeper
6.2 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, FOUR, a bit of width and sits up outside off
stump, powerfully carved away through backward point, straight
through Oram as he fell half forward trying to stop it
6.3 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, slips one through Jayasuriya on leg
stump, Tuffey belatedly turns and asks the question of umpire
Dunne, but it was a big inside edge back into the pads
6.4 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
steers it away down to Vincent at third man
6.5 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends
away to Harris at backward point
6.6 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, FOUR, the Sri Lankan opening pair are just
too dominant, hitting anything now, this one's on a fair length
but Kaluwitharana strikes it on the up, playing over cover point,
bringing up the 50 off just 44 balls
End of over 7 (9 runs) Sri Lanka 53/0 (RR: 7.57 RRR: 130/28 = 4.64)
DR Tuffey 3-0-20-0 (1w 1nb) - Members End
ST Jayasuriya 26* (30b 4x4 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 20* (13b 4x4)
7.1 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish slower ball, defends back down
the pitch
7.2 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, straight ball on leg stump, into the
pad and balloons away towards backward square leg
7.3 Oram to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
pushed away into the covers, easy run taken with the shot as it's
placed into the gap nicely
7.4 Oram to Kaluwitharana, FOUR, too short, sits up like a tennis ball,
Kaluwitharana's on to it like a rocket, imperiously pulling hard
and flat over Twose leaping up at short fine leg, but mere
tokenism in doing so
7.5 Oram to Kaluwitharana, legbye: one run, angling on leg stump,
turned away off the pads towards backward square leg, another easy
single jogged as Twose is into the action once more
7.6 Oram to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball on off stump, Jayasuriya
opens the blade late, guiding it straight down to backward point
End of over 8 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 59/0 (RR: 7.38 RRR: 124/27 = 4.59)
JDP Oram 2-0-19-0 - City End
RS Kaluwitharana 24* (15b 5x4) ST Jayasuriya 27* (34b 4x4 1x6)
the crowd is rather subdued by the home team's efforts thus far in
defending the total, the Sri Lankans are truly rampant and
virtually unstoppable now
8.1 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, no run, quick rising ball outside off
stump, Kaluwitharana sways back out of the way to leave it through
to the keeper
8.2 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, wide: no run, slower ball pushed through
well wide down the leg side, it's all falling to pieces
8.2 Tuffey to Kaluwitharana, three runs, lovely straight driven down
the ground on the leg side, McMillan has to scamper after it,
making a good save to stop it dead inside the boundary line as he
slides over it, saving one run
8.3 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, FOUR, and another one is sent sailing over
the top of the inner circle, picked up from off stump over the
huge gap at midwicket, a couple of bounces and away it goes again
8.4 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, FOUR, plenty of width and Jayasuriya slashes
hard at it, sending it hard and flat over backward point, bouncing
once inside the boundary
8.5 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, no run, defends down in close on the off side
of the pitch
8.6 Tuffey to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish straight ball, tucks it
down towards midwicket, good quick single taken with the shot
End of over 9 (13 runs) Sri Lanka 72/0 (RR: 8.00 RRR: 111/26 = 4.27)
DR Tuffey 4-0-33-0 (2w 1nb) - Members End
ST Jayasuriya 36* (38b 6x4 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 27* (17b 5x4)
Nathan Astle comes on to bowl, replacing Oram at the City End
9.1 Astle to Jayasuriya, no run, tight ball on off stump, firmly
stroked back down on the leg side of the pitch
9.2 Astle to Jayasuriya, FOUR, short and wide outside off stump,
slashed away hard and very high over backward point, absolutely
rampant this pair
9.3 Astle to Jayasuriya, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
stands tall to play it down towards cover point, easy single with
the shot as Harris makes a good diving save across to his left
9.4 Astle to Kaluwitharana, wide: no run, short ball angling well wide
down the leg side through to Parore
9.4 Astle to Kaluwitharana, no run, shortish outside off stump, guided
down to Fleming in the gully
9.5 Astle to Kaluwitharana, no run, straight ball on leg stump, tucked
straight down to Harris at midwicket
9.6 Astle to Kaluwitharana, no run, shuffles well forward into a
defensive push square on the off side
End of over 10 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 78/0 (RR: 7.80 RRR: 105/25 = 4.20)
NJ Astle 1-0-6-0 (1w) - City End
ST Jayasuriya 41* (41b 7x4 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 27* (20b 5x4)
a double bowling changing for New Zealand, Daniel Vettori on at the
Members End for Tuffey
10.1 Vettori to Jayasuriya, FOUR, all class, shortish ball turning in
from outside off stump, cuts ever so fine from right in on off
stump, guiding it away fine of Vincent at short third man, racing
all the way to the boundary
10.2 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, turning into the legs, worked away
towards vacant midwicket, quick single taken looking for a tight
second but Jayasuriya slips at the bowler's end so they don't come
back as two fielders converge on the ball
10.3 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, no run, flatter ball outside off stump,
pushes away from the body in defence, plays and misses
10.4 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, no run, gets bat on ball this time,
guided away straight to Oram at backward point
10.5 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, no run, shorter ball held back,
Kaluwitharana is forced to wait, steering it straight to Oram once
more
10.6 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
frees the arms to try and cut savagely but it doesn't come on,
mistiming it into the ground, out to Martin at deep cover for an
easy single walked
End of over 11 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 84/0 (RR: 7.64 RRR: 99/24 = 4.12)
DL Vettori 1-0-6-0 - Members End
RS Kaluwitharana 28* (24b 5x4) ST Jayasuriya 46* (43b 8x4 1x6)
11.1 Astle to Kaluwitharana, no run, nagging length ball on off stump,
turned straight down to Harris at midwicket
11.2 Astle to Kaluwitharana, one run, shortish ball turned down to
vacant square leg, brisk run taken as Harris darts across from
midwicket, having a fling at the bowler's end for the sake of it,
missing
11.3 Astle to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball, steers straight down to
Harris at backward point
11.4 Astle to Jayasuriya, no run, straight ball, played straight up to
mid on
11.5 Astle to Jayasuriya, FOUR, a bit too short and Jayasuriya rocks
back, pulling hard and flat through wide midwicket, brings up his
50 off just 44 balls, 9x4, 1x6
11.6 Astle to Jayasuriya, no run, respectfully pushes back in defence on
the leg side of the pitch to the bowler
End of over 12 (5 runs) Sri Lanka 89/0 (RR: 7.42 RRR: 94/23 = 4.09)
NJ Astle 2-0-11-0 (1w) - City End
RS Kaluwitharana 29* (26b 5x4) ST Jayasuriya 50* (47b 9x4 1x6)
12.1 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump,
turning into the front pad, rebounds away out to Harris in the
covers
12.2 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, no run, flighted up very full,
Kaluwitharana comes forward but nearly yorks himself,
overbalancing as he digs it out from his feet, played away to
Astle at midwicket
12.3 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, no run, well forward, quietly defending
down in close on the off side
12.4 Vettori to Kaluwitharana, five runs, flighted up nicely arcing in
from outside off stump, hits pad and bat together, bringing a
Vettori appeal but umpire Dunne quickly ignores, played into the
covers for a sharp single, Harris' throw at the bowler's end
misses and Astle and Tuffey dive at
the ball backing up but can't get to it, instead crashing into each
other, straight through them and away to the wide long on boundary
for a five, Jayasuriya almost took umpire Dunne out running
through too, just partially body-checking the poor Dunne!
12.5 Vettori to Jayasuriya, no run, forward, defends quietly down into
the covers
12.6 Vettori to Jayasuriya, one run, shorter ball outside off stump, cut
out to deep backward point
End of over 13 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 95/0 (RR: 7.31 RRR: 88/22 = 4.00)
DL Vettori 2-0-12-0 - Members End
ST Jayasuriya 51* (49b 9x4 1x6) RS Kaluwitharana 34* (30b 5x4)
13.1 Astle to Jayasuriya, no run, stabs forward in defence, Astle slides
one through past the outside edge, just angling away wider, a rare
play and miss from Jayasuriya in this innings
13.2 Astle to Jayasuriya, one run, pushes away out to Vettori at deep
point for the easily milked single
13.3 Astle to Kaluwitharana, OUT: Astle pushes through one quicker,
seams back in from pitching just outside a line of off stump,
taking the pad in line with middle and leg reasonably high up but
straightening a little, Astle goes up and up goes umpire Watkin's
finger quickly
Sri Lanka 96/1, Partnership of 96
RS Kaluwitharana lbw b Astle 34 (31b 5x4 0x6)
ST Jayasuriya 52* (51b 9x4 1x6) NJ Astle 2.3-0-12-1 (1w)
at last New Zealand have a breakthrough, the call was perhaps a
little marginal, but consistent, and at last a minor chink has
been found in the Sri Lankan top order batting armour today
Kumar Sangakkara the new batsman
13.4 Astle to Sangakkara, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away
down to Tuffey at long leg to get off the mark immediately
13.5 Astle to Jayasuriya, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, flat
batted quietly down to Harris at backward point
13.6 Astle to Jayasuriya, OUT: two in the over! Astle snares both
openers, as Jayasuriya tries to pick one up from middle and off
over midwicket, plays too soon and top edges straight up in the
air, Martin goes back and takes the catch well above his head at
mid off
Sri Lanka 97/2, Partnership of 1
ST Jayasuriya c Martin b Astle 52 (53b 9x4 1x6)
End of over 14 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 97/2 (RR: 6.93 RRR: 86/21 = 4.10)
NJ Astle 3-0-13-2 (1w) - City End
K Sangakkara 1* (1b)
a double strike by the innocuous slow medium bowler at least
enlivens the crowd a little, but it will take a fair bit more yet
before New Zealand can think of any miraculous comeback with so
few runs with which to play around
Mahela Jayawardene is the new batsman, at the non-striker's end
14.1 Vettori to Sangakkara, one run, flighted on off stump, Sangakkara
waits on it, turning it away wristily towards vacant square leg
for an easy run with the shot as Oram has to field from backward
of square
14.2 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, flighted up quick and full,
Jayawardene drives down the wrong line and is almost in big
trouble as it strikes the back pad on the crease line in line with
off stump, Vettori and the others appeal hugely but he just
managed to get a little inside edge
on it
14.3 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, forward in defence again, this one
turns in to the front pad and draws a less convinced appeal this
time, striking outside the line of off stump
14.4 Vettori to Jayawardene, FOUR, take that! dances down the track and
smacks it straight back over the bowler's head to emphatically get
himself out of that trouble
14.5 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, tight ball on off stump, steered
away to Oram at backward point
14.6 Vettori to Jayawardene, one run, sweeps a flighted ball on middle
and leg, doesn't quite get to it and top edges streakily away just
wide and past Twose scurrying back after it from short fine leg,
and drops short of the deep backward square man coming in,
unconvincing
End of over 15 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 103/2 (RR: 6.87 RRR: 80/20 = 4.00)
DL Vettori 3-0-18-0 - Members End
DPMD Jayawardene 5* (5b 1x4) K Sangakkara 2* (2b)
15.1 Astle to Jayawardene, no run, straight ball seaming in to the right
hander, sweetly turned away to leg but straight to Vettori at
square leg
15.2 Astle to Jayawardene, no run, shoulders arms to a widish ball
outside off stump
the shadows are lengthening across the ground now, with the major
one just starting to stretch to the pitch area from the Pavilion
15.3 Astle to Jayawardene, no run, straight ball, watchfully defends
back on the leg side of the pitch
15.4 Astle to Jayawardene, one run, angling down the leg side, glanced
down to Twose at fine leg
15.5 Astle to Sangakkara, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
pushed away through the gap at cover, they hurry back for a second
and make it easily as Vincent and Vettori fumble it between them
as they slide to it
15.6 Astle to Sangakkara, no run, squared around in defence by one that
hurries on a little, opens the face to guide it to backward point
End of over 16 (3 runs) Sri Lanka 106/2 (RR: 6.62 RRR: 77/19 = 4.05)
NJ Astle 4-0-16-2 (1w) - City End
DPMD Jayawardene 6* (9b 1x4) K Sangakkara 4* (4b)
16.1 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, stretches well forward in defence
to a flighted ball outside off stump, drops down off the pad in
close
16.2 Vettori to Jayawardene, one run, dropped in a little too short
outside off stump, Jayawardene doesn't attempt to punish, happy to
cut away comfortably to Martin at deep point
16.3 Vettori to Sangakkara, no run, stretches half forward, watchfully
defending a full ball well outside off stump away to McMillan at
backward point
16.4 Vettori to Sangakkara, no run, shortish ball, rocks right back in
the crease to try and pull but misplays it, dragging it straight
down to backward square leg
16.5 Vettori to Sangakkara, legbye: one run, props well forward,
rebounding from the pad away towards forward square leg, easy
quick run taken with the shot
16.6 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, flighted up outside off stump,
firmly driven into the covers
End of over 17 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 108/2 (RR: 6.35 RRR: 75/18 = 4.17)
DL Vettori 4-0-19-0 - Members End
K Sangakkara 4* (7b) DPMD Jayawardene 7* (12b 1x4)
17.1 Astle to Sangakkara, no run, shapes to play but then lifts the bat
well clear to shoulder arms outside off stump to one angling away
from the left hander
17.2 Astle to Sangakkara, two runs, full on the legs, clipped away
through wide midwicket, a leisurely second taken as two fielders
chase from inside the circle
17.3 Astle to Sangakkara, no run, leaves alone outside off stump through
to Parore
17.4 Astle to Sangakkara, FOUR, short and too much width outside off
stump, cut away with ease down through the gap at point
17.5 Astle to Sangakkara, no run, straight ball on middle and off,
driven straight up to Oram at mid on
17.6 Astle to Sangakkara, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
through to the keeper
End of over 18 (6 runs) Sri Lanka 114/2 (RR: 6.33 RRR: 69/17 = 4.06)
NJ Astle 5-0-22-2 (1w) - City End
DPMD Jayawardene 7* (12b 1x4) K Sangakkara 10* (13b 1x4)
we make it to the drinks break, with the slight deceleration in the
scoring rate
18.1 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, flighted up on off stump, stretches
well forward, defending back down the pitch
18.2 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, flighted up very full outside off
stump, drives and misses, Parore can't take cleanly, half
disappointment from some close in players suggesting there was an
edge on it, but it went well wide of the outside edge with drift
18.3 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, forward, watchfully defends down in
close on the off side
18.4 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, flighted up full, sweeps and
misses, massive appeal for lbw, Vettori implores umpire Dunne to
give it but he stands firm, pitching leg and straightening,
interesting one
18.5 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, similar again, this one looks to
pitch a bit further down leg and the appeal is more stifled
18.6 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, forward, defends with bat/pad in
close on the off side, Vettori delivers the first maiden of the
innings
End of over 19 (maiden) Sri Lanka 114/2 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 69/16 = 4.31)
DL Vettori 5-1-19-0 - Members End
K Sangakkara 10* (13b 1x4) DPMD Jayawardene 7* (18b 1x4)
Martin returns, replacing Astle at the City End after a very tidy
2-22 from 5 overs in adversity
19.1 Martin to Sangakkara, legbye: FOUR, ooh my, super quick rising ball
seaming away from a length, Sangakkara turned inside out and well
beaten, Parore initially went the wrong way to leg and tried
desperately to leap back but can't save it
it just brushed the arm on the way down to the boundary, fantastic
first delivery in a new spell
19.2 Martin to Sangakkara, no run, very full down the leg side, tries to
flick it away but can't reach it, tight on leg stump though
19.3 Martin to Sangakkara, one run, quick into the pads on leg stump,
turned away square for a quick run
19.4 Martin to Jayawardene, no run, plays and misses at a widish ball
outside off stump
19.5 Martin to Jayawardene, no run, hurries through a quick straighter
ball, inside edges into the body and is swings back late
19.6 Martin to Jayawardene, no run, watchfully forward, defends down in
close on the leg side
End of over 20 (5 runs) Sri Lanka 119/2 (RR: 5.95 RRR: 64/15 = 4.27)
CS Martin 4-0-19-0 (3w 1nb) - City End
K Sangakkara 11* (16b 1x4) DPMD Jayawardene 7* (21b 1x4)
there are no longer shadows over the ground as the sun has sunk
well behind the pavilion and it's getting gradually darker, though
still clear enough to play right now
we only need 5 more overs to be bowled today and then we can get it
judged on Duckworth/Lewis if bad light terminates it from that
point onwards
20.1 Vettori to Sangakkara, SIX, dances down the pitch to a flighted
ball and sends it sailing high over long on, a superb shot, power
and timing with grace, bounces just inside the hedge 10 metres
back from the boundary and bounces over into the car park, we'll
have a short wait for
the retrieval of the ball
20.2 Vettori to Sangakkara, no run, forward, stroked straight into the
covers
20.3 Vettori to Sangakkara, two runs, flighted up outside off stump,
neatly pushed through point with a fair amount of timing and no
great effort behind it, time for an easy two as McMillan has to
chase from backward of point
20.4 Vettori to Sangakkara, no run, forward, defends with bat/pad into
the covers
20.5 Vettori to Sangakkara, no run, shortish ball, stands on the crease
to defend back to the bowler up on the off side of the pitch
Sangakkara stands back out of the way as Vettori delivers, turning
in and crashing into the top of middle and off, the crowd half
cheer but it was dead ball
20.6 Vettori to Sangakkara, one run, shortish ball turning down the leg
side, turned away backward of square leg, just past the diving
Vincent inside the circle, down to Oram at long leg
End of over 21 (9 runs) Sri Lanka 128/2 (RR: 6.10 RRR: 55/14 = 3.93)
DL Vettori 6-1-28-0 - Members End
K Sangakkara 20* (22b 1x4 1x6) DPMD Jayawardene 7* (21b 1x4)
21.1 Martin to Sangakkara, OUT: short ball down the leg side, Sangakkara
has a nibble and gets a faint edge straight through to Parore, New
Zealand grab another consolation victim
Sri Lanka 128/3, Partnership of 31
K Sangakkara c Parore b Martin 20 (23b 1x4 1x6)
DPMD Jayawardene 7* (21b 1x4) CS Martin 4.1-0-19-1 (3w 1nb)
Aravinda de Silva the new batsman
21.2 Martin to de Silva, no run, full outside off stump, mistimes a
drive straight up to Oram at mid off
21.3 Martin to de Silva, FOUR, too short, sits up and de Silva gets into
his favoured pull, getting right in behind it and sending it over
wide midwicket, bouncing once in the deep before it clears the
boundary
21.4 Martin to de Silva, no run, short ball sits up outside off stump,
powerfully back cut but Harris makes a nice diving stop to his
left at backward point
21.5 Martin to de Silva, no run, and again! this one's hit fractionally
finer and stronger, but Harris manages to palm it down to his
left, de Silva briefly looks for a quick run before realising
that's just a tad foolish
21.6 Martin to de Silva, no run, steps well forward into a defensive
push, played straight to Astle in the covers
End of over 22 (4 runs) Sri Lanka 132/3 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 51/13 = 3.92)
CS Martin 5-0-23-1 (3w 1nb) - City End
DPMD Jayawardene 7* (21b 1x4) PA de Silva 4* (5b 1x4)
22.1 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, Vettori throws in a very useful arm
ball, hurries through to take the front pad, huge appeal for lbw
turned down by umpire Dunne, the replay on the big screen brings
plenty of boos from the pro-NZ portions of the crowd
22.2 Vettori to Jayawardene, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
cut out to Martin at deep point
22.3 Vettori to de Silva, no run, steps well into a flighted full ball
outside off stump, firmly pushing straight to Harris at cover
22.4 Vettori to de Silva, no run, watchfully reaches forward, defending
with a dead bat in close on the off side, Harris in to tidy up
22.5 Vettori to de Silva, one run, flighted well up, de Silva plays an
immaculate sweep, out to McMillan at deep backward square leg
22.6 Vettori to Jayawardene, no run, flatter, quicker ball, watchfully
defends straight up to Twose at mid on
End of over 23 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 134/3 (RR: 5.83 RRR: 49/12 = 4.08)
DL Vettori 7-1-30-0 - Members End
PA de Silva 5* (8b 1x4) DPMD Jayawardene 8* (24b 1x4)
two overs to bowl before we have an official game, with Sri Lanka
currently D/L +30 on calculations, comfortably ahead
and just as that is said, the sun peeks around the pavilion to shed
some light to a third of the outfield
23.1 Martin to de Silva, no run, straight ball pushed straight up to
Vettori at mid on
23.2 Martin to de Silva, FOUR, short ball outside off stump, sits up and
de Silva employs another fine pull, this time hard and high over
vacant square leg, pitching just inside the boundary line
23.3 Martin to de Silva, wide: no run, wide and angling away wider
outside off stump, plays and misses driving inside the line
23.3 Martin to de Silva, one run, driving outside off stump, drags it
away along the ground to Vincent at deep backward square leg
23.4 Martin to Jayawardene, no run, quick rising ball fairly wide
outside off stump, Jayawardene shapes to play at it but thinks
better of it and sways well back out of the road as it passes
through to Parore
23.5 Martin to Jayawardene, FOUR, driving on the up outside off stump,
never to it and streakily spears it away through vacant point in
the air, never where he intended it to go but picks up a boundary
as Tuffey can't intercept from third man
23.6 Martin to Jayawardene, no run, straight ball on off stump, played
uppishly up towards Vettori at mid on, bouncing well short of the
fielder before it reaches him
End of over 24 (10 runs) Sri Lanka 144/3 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 39/11 = 3.55)
CS Martin 6-0-33-1 (4w 1nb) - City End
PA de Silva 10* (11b 2x4) DPMD Jayawardene 12* (27b 2x4)
Daryl Tuffey returns, replacing Vettori who has bowled out his 7
overs, taking 0-21 at the Members End
24.1 Tuffey to de Silva, no run, shoulders arms to a shortish ball
outside off stump
24.2 Tuffey to de Silva, OUT: full outside off stump, de Silva drives
but doesn't get all the way to it, thick edges to Oram who takes a
smart catch at backward point
Sri Lanka 144/4, Partnership of 16
PA de Silva c Oram b Tuffey 10 (13b 2x4 0x6)
DPMD Jayawardene 12* (27b 2x4) DR Tuffey 4.2-0-33-1 (2w 1nb)
Tuffey halves his career ODI bowling average from 145 to 72.5 in
the process of taking his second career wicket!
Russel Arnold the new batsman
24.3 Tuffey to Arnold, no run, leaves alone a full ball which keeps a
little low as it passes through to Parore
24.4 Tuffey to Arnold, OUT: slashes outside off stump at a shortish
rising ball, only manages to get a thin edge straight through to
Parore, the fielders are ecstatic and suddenly the crowd take a
little more at the passing interest in proceedings!
Sri Lanka 144/5, Partnership of 0
RP Arnold c Parore b Tuffey 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
DPMD Jayawardene 12* (27b 2x4) DR Tuffey 4.4-0-33-2 (2w 1nb)
two wickets in three balls sees Tuffey's career average now plummet
to 48.33!
Kumar Dharmasena the new batsman
24.5 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, shoulders arms to a short rising ball
outside off stump
24.6 Tuffey to Dharmasena, one run, quick ball angling on leg stump,
dropped away backward of square leg for a quick run with the shot,
averts a double wicket maiden for Tuffey
End of over 25 (1 run) Sri Lanka 145/5 (RR: 5.80 RRR: 38/10 = 3.80)
DR Tuffey 5-0-34-2 (2w 1nb) - Members End
HDPK Dharmasena 1* (2b) DPMD Jayawardene 12* (27b 2x4)
but from D/L +35 as at the end of the previous over, suddenly Sri
Lanka are now down to D/L +23 after 25 overs, and we now have an
official game, so no matter what happens from here, we won't be
coming back tomorrow
25.1 Martin to Dharmasena, no run, shoulders arms in exaggerated fashion
to a ball passing well wide outside off stump
25.2 Martin to Dharmasena, no run, watchfully pushes from the crease,
defends straight down at his feet from a straight ball, it stops
dead on the crease and Dharmasena only just notices the ball
before almost kicking it back towards the stumps!
25.3 Martin to Dharmasena, no run, shoulders arms to a quick rising ball
from a fuller length well wide outside off stump
25.4 Martin to Dharmasena, no run, drives and misses from the crease
outside off stump, the crowd half go up as some of the fielders
raise their arms but withhold a shout as he was well beaten
just a little nervousness creeping in as the home team smell a
shocking upset from the situation not so much earlier in the day
25.5 Martin to Dharmasena, no run, more confidently walks forward into a
defensive shot into the covers
25.6 Martin to Dharmasena, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump,
Martin completes a maiden
End of over 26 (maiden) Sri Lanka 145/5 (RR: 5.58 RRR: 38/9 = 4.22)
CS Martin 7-1-33-1 (4w 1nb) - City End
DPMD Jayawardene 12* (27b 2x4) HDPK Dharmasena 1* (8b)
26.1 Tuffey to Jayawardene, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump,
just one run coming in the last 14 deliveries now
26.2 Tuffey to Jayawardene, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
cuts hard down on it, slicing it down just past second slip from
the underedge, down to third man
26.3 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, quick and full outside off stump,
firmly drives back on the off side of the pitch, Tuffey picks up
sharply on his follow through and threatens to shy at the keeper's
end to intimidate the batsman
26.4 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, beaten! lovely delivery honing in
just outside off stump, Dharmasena knew little about it, playing
just inside the line as he squared right around on the crease in
defence
26.5 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, tight ball on off stump, firmly
defends down to Harris diving away to his right to save it at
cover point
26.6 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, shapes to defend but raises the bat
back out of the way as he steps the front foot forward to a ball
passing wider outside off stump
End of over 27 (1 run) Sri Lanka 146/5 (RR: 5.41 RRR: 37/8 = 4.62)
DR Tuffey 6-0-35-2 (2w 1nb) - Members End
DPMD Jayawardene 13* (29b 2x4) HDPK Dharmasena 1* (12b)
Craig McMillan replaces Martin at the City End having bowled out
his 7 overs
27.1 McMillan to Jayawardene, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
runs it off the face down to Tuffey at third man
27.2 McMillan to Dharmasena, no run, full on the toes, driven up towards
mid on, Vettori fields quickly across to his right, firing back
over Parore's head but Fleming's backing up to prevent any
overthrows
27.3 McMillan to Dharmasena, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
27.4 McMillan to Dharmasena, one run, tight ball on off stump, fended
away towards vacant short third man, quick single taken with the
shot as two fielders scoot after the ball from inside the circle,
completed easily
27.5 McMillan to Jayawardene, wide: no run, full and just a bit too wide
outside off stump, reaches for it but misses through to the
keeper, the wide call from umpire Watkin earns a few boos from the
home crowd
27.5 McMillan to Jayawardene, two runs, angling down the leg side,
turned away through backward square leg, Vincent has to chase
after it from inside the circle and they make it back for a smart
second well
27.6 McMillan to Jayawardene, no run, tight ball on off stump, opens the
face to steer it down to Oram at backward point
End of over 28 (5 runs) Sri Lanka 151/5 (RR: 5.39 RRR: 32/7 = 4.57)
CD McMillan 1-0-5-0 (1w) - City End
HDPK Dharmasena 2* (15b) DPMD Jayawardene 16* (32b 2x4)
28.1 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends from
the crease back up on the leg side of the pitch, Vettori darts in
from mid on to field
the entire ground barring the tall scoreboard and crane holding up
the video replay screen are now devoid of sunshine, it's starting
to get quite dark in the middle, but not quite England-Pakistan-
Test-at-Karachi-dark yet
28.2 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
28.3 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down
into the covers
28.4 Tuffey to Dharmasena, no run, shapes to play a shortish ball
outside off stump, but thinks better of it and drops the hands to
his side to leave it through to Parore
28.5 Tuffey to Dharmasena, one run, pushes forward in defence outside
off stump, gets a streaky inside edge between himself and the
stumps down to McMillan at long leg
28.6 Tuffey to Jayawardene, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
through to the keeper, Tuffey completes his spell of 7 overs
End of over 29 (1 run) Sri Lanka 152/5 (RR: 5.24 RRR: 31/6 = 5.17)
DR Tuffey 7-0-36-2 (2w 1nb) - Members End
HDPK Dharmasena 3* (20b) DPMD Jayawardene 16* (33b 2x4)
29.1 McMillan to Dharmasena, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
stroked straight up to Vettori at mid on
29.2 McMillan to Dharmasena, one run, pushed up wide of Martin at mid
off, easy run taken with the stroke
29.3 McMillan to Jayawardene, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
tries to glide it down to third man but misses, McMillan half
appeals with no great seriousness
29.4 McMillan to Jayawardene, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
Jayawardene tries to pull but drags it down towards Oram at
midwicket, just bouncing short as he scoops it up on the half
volley, hurried on just a fraction
29.5 McMillan to Jayawardene, no run, full outside off stump, drives
straight to Harris at point
29.6 McMillan to Jayawardene, no run, plays and misses outside off stump
trying to guide it down to third man
End of over 30 (1 run) Sri Lanka 153/5 (RR: 5.10 RRR: 30/5 = 6.00)
CD McMillan 2-0-6-0 (1w) - City End
HDPK Dharmasena 4* (22b) DPMD Jayawardene 16* (37b 2x4)
another one-run over, and all of a sudden it's down to 30 to win
off 30 balls!
Sri Lanka are just D/L +7 now, and have made an amazing slide from
being 96/0 after 13.2 overs
but the umpires are convening to check their light meters, they
walk back towards their marks but then reconvene to have another
lengthy check, all the while it just keeps getting darker
Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya looks on from the sidelines
with real worry in his eyes at the situation, but on we go
Chris Harris on to bowl at the Members End
30.1 Harris to Dharmasena, one run, floated up full outside off stump,
driven down to Twose at long off
30.2 Harris to Jayawardene, one run, angling down the leg side, turned
down to McMillan at long leg
30.3 Harris to Dharmasena, no run, forward, defends down in close on the
off side, down to 28 off 27 needed now
30.4 Harris to Dharmasena, no run, firmly driven back on the leg side of
the pitch, the crowd cheer McMillan for fielding sharply off his
own bowling
30.5 Harris to Dharmasena, no run, forward, turned away to Oram at
midwicket
30.6 Harris to Dharmasena, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
straight to point, another cheap over but it keeps getting darker
and darker and the Sri Lankans must be batting out time
End of over 31 (2 runs) Sri Lanka 155/5 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 28/4 = 7.00)
CZ Harris 1-0-2-0 - Members End
DPMD Jayawardene 17* (38b 2x4) HDPK Dharmasena 5* (27b)
once more the umpires come together, and this time it's too dark,
they offer the light to the batsmen who instantly head towards the
pavilion, that should be it folks
the crowd boo Jayawardene and Dharmasena off the field, as Sri
Lanka can settle for a 3-run Duckworth/Lewis method victory if
there is no further play
there is no way the light can get any better, all the natural
sunlight has disappeared on the horizon, and the word is that it
is now officially over
Sri Lanka win by 3 runs in surreal circumstances, an unfortunate
way to end the match which was amazingly shaping up to be a very
tight contest
quite remarkable given the way Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana smashed
the cover off the ball, racking up 96 runs in the first 13.2
overs, before losing their way gradually, scoring just 59 balls
for the loss of 5 wickets in the next 17.4 overs, but it was
still enough to just sneak past the post, and nervous captain
Jayasuriya can heave a big sigh of relief with 28 runs needed off
the last 4 overs had they been able to play on
Sri Lanka go 4-0 up in the National Bank One-Day International
Series, and are now just one match away from a clean sweep -
remarkable given they lost their previous series immediately prior
to this 5-1 in South Africa - and that consolation victory came
at the very death when all looked lost, but now they are on a
winning streak of 5 in a row, while New Zealand slump further
down, having now won just 1 match in their last 12 One-Day
Internationals (and the 13th immediately prior was a no result)
from here we go to Jade Stadium in Christchurch for the fifth and
final National Bank Series One-Day International, starting at
10:30am on Sunday the 11th, which will simply be a game of
exhibition cricket - a fight for a fair chunk of lost pride
against
the ever increasing free expression of the visitors, with the bat
in particular
until then it's good evening/'night' from a very dark and surreal
looking WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton, with plenty of people
leaving the ground confused and/or unhappy - except for the fine
Sri Lankan contingent with giant flags in tow
any comments about today's coverage can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is very much appreciated