Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2012

First topic message reminder :

Placeholder for the series.

Series is 1 T20, 5 ODIs and 2 Tests

SL squad:
T20: http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-new-zealand-2012/content/squad/588109.html

NZ squad:
Limited Overs squad http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-new-zealand-2012/content/squad/586320.html
Test squad http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-new-zealand-2012/content/squad/586322.html

1st T20 was due to start around now (13.30 GMT), however it's "pelting down" at Pallakele according to Cricinfo

SL lost their sat 4 wickets for 18 this morning to be all out 244. Samawareera 76, Southee 5-62 and Boult 4-42.

In response NZ collapsed to 75/5, Flynn and van Wyk both getting 1st ball ducks. Taylor and Astle are rebuilding, currently 104/5, a lead of 272

Astle goes for 35, caught at midwicket via a richochet off short leg's boot. He and Taylor added 97 though, 172/6 just after tea. NZ lead by 341, presumably a declaration is coming soon.

177/7 now, Bracewell becomes Herath's 3rd for the innings and 9th for the match, caught at long on.

Taylor goes for 75, run out in a mix up with Southee. 182/8

Patel stumped off Randiv for a duck. 186/9

some pretty awful batting by the NZ tail here you have to say. Bracewell out heaving to long-on, then Southee runs out his captain, then Patel goes for an almighty heave and is stumped, but I guess the orders were to hit out and/or get out, as Taylor has called them in. SL need 363 to win, or more likely, a minimum of 123 overs to survive.

Southee gets Paranavita LBW first ball

good start for NZ, picking up a couple of early wickets. Sangakkara dropped by Guptil at slip, really tough chance diving full length to his right.

Sangakkara goes, bowled off his thighpad by Bracewell.

41/3. C'mon boys!

Now Mahela nicks out off Bracewell. 46/4

47/4 at stumps, it'll need weather or an epic rearguard action to save SL tomorrow.

Southee at last fulfilling his promise? With him, Boult and Bracewell New Zealand have a decent pace attack. Williamson is adding a bit of grit to the batting also, and with McCullum, Guptil and Taylor there is a lot of potential but all too rarely do those 3 perform in tests for me (given their undoubted quality).

Well done New Zealand, what a victory this will be for you. don't rule out an epic rearguard action though.

SL 107/5 just after lunch, Prasana and Mathews have added 45 since Samawareera ran himself out. New ball due around tea could be the key.

Todd Astle gets his 1st test wicket. Turn and bounce to draw an edge from Prasana. 120/6

SL 168/7 at tea, Mathews on 63 and Kulasekera 18 (with 2 sixes and a 4 in his 37 balls!).

New ball has 1 over on it.

and Trent Boult duly removes Kulasekera with the new, poking to fourth slip off one that went across him. No need to play at that, but possibly worried about the one that comes back, just the start NZ wanted after tea.

and another, a very full ball by Southee is edged and Williamson takes a magnificent diving catch at fourth slip, clinging on one-handed low down. Brilliant

Just one more needed for NZ now...

Williamson takes a blinder in the gully as Eranga edges. 169/9

Mathews took a single off the 5th ball of the over there, but Southee only needed 1 at Eranga

Mathews takes 4 4s off a Southee over, but edges Boult to Guptill at second slip in the following one. All out 195, NZ wins by 167 runs!

well done NZ, thoroughly deserved win

Taylor gets man of the match for his 176 and Herath man of the series for his 20 wickets.

Well done NZ. I'm a bit more worried about England playing you than I originally would have been. Maybe the India series is just a warm-up for the New Zealand series?

Duty281 wrote:Well done NZ. I'm a bit more worried about England playing you than I originally would have been. Maybe the India series is just a warm-up for the New Zealand series?

Last time NZ toured I was at Lords joining in the Beige Brigade's chorus of "There's only one Tim Southee". Finally it appears we might have been justified. Early summer on English pitches are tailor made for him. Of course we won't be able to score many runs to support him

A simply fantastic win For NZ in Asia.