NZ VS SL 2ND T20I

Right then, New Zealand have pocketed the series with a game to go and will be eager to inflict the whitewash. As for Sri Lanka, they will be looking to salvage pride and take the momentum into the ODI series with a win. The third and final T20I of the series will take place in Nelson at the Saxton Oval on Thursday, 2nd January. The first ball will be bowled at 12.15 am GMT but as always, you can join us much earlier for the build-up. Until then, wishing you a Happy New Year, and see you soon. Cheers!

The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner says that it was a great performance and he is glad to see everyone stepping up. Appreciates Jacob Duffy for the way we he bowled and for delivering when the team needed it. Feels that it is important to vary the pace as it could get easier for the batters to hit with the wind. Adds that he was basically looking to keep it out of the arc of the batters and keep it as simple as possible. Concludes by saying that it is nice to see the boys experiencing a win in front of the home crowd.

Charith Asalanka, the losing skipper, says that he is disappointed with the results. Feels that the middle order didn’t play well and they could have done better. Adds that it is all about adapting to the conditions in a quick time and New Zealand were brilliant in all departments. Concludes that it was important to finish the game, no matter how you start and he is disappointed with the series loss but will come back stronger in the final one. Mentions about his keeping that he puts in a lot of work day in and day out and it is nice to get the results.

Mitchell Hay is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his quickfire cameo. He says that it feels nice to contribute to the team's win. Shares that he looked to give himself some time before going for the big shots. Mentions that he is happy to get the series win. States that it feels good to play in front of the home crowd. Adds that he has his family here as well.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Charith Asalanka won the second toss in a row and opted to bowl first. Sri Lanka struck early before Mark Chapman and Tim Robinson helped the Kiwis build a platform. Once that stand was broken, the tourists chipped away at regular intervals but Mitchell Hay put his hand up to give the batting side the desired finish. His 19-ball 41 helped the Kiwis finish with 186. Wanindu Hasaranga was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 28 from his 4 overs. The death bowling was once again a concern for Sri Lanka, conceding 43 runs from the last 3 overs.

It was a proper arm wrestle during Sri Lanka’s chase. The Asian side mirrored the Kiwis’ effort to build a solid platform for the second half of the innings by keeping wickets in hand. Pathum Nissanka’s dismissal in the 10th over forced Kusal Perera to take charge and accelerate, given he had already spent some time at the crease. While Sri Lanka showed glimpses of gaining momentum, every time they seemed to turn a corner, New Zealand struck back to regain control. The visitors needed Perera to make his start count and take the team over the line, as new batters found it difficult to settle and score quickly. However, his dismissal proved pivotal, allowing the Kiwis to tighten the screws and close out the game convincingly.

Signed, sealed, and delivered! Mitchell Santner has secured his first series win in his debut assignment as the full-time white-ball captain of New Zealand. It all went downhill for Sri Lanka rather quickly from the position where they needed 60 runs from the last 5 overs with 7 wickets in hand. The tourists lost 7 wickets for just 14 runs to hand the Kiwis a convincing 45-run win.

OUT! CAUGHT! There goes the final wicket. This one is bowled full and outside off, much slower through the air, from the back of the hand. Binura Fernando looks to loft it over cover, off the front foot but goes through his shot early. It takes the outer half of the bat and loops up towards short third man where Jacob Duffy moves smartly towards his right to complete that catch in the end. Sri Lanka are all out for 141. New Zealand win by 45 runs to seal the series.

OUT! CAUGHT! There goes the final wicket. This one is bowled full and outside off, much slower through the air, from the back of the hand. Binura Fernando looks to loft it over cover, off the front foot but goes through his shot early. It takes the outer half of the bat and loops up towards short third man where Jacob Duffy moves smartly towards his right to complete that catch in the end. Sri Lanka are all out for 141. New Zealand win by 45 runs to seal the series.

Goes fuller again, but outside off, Nuwan Thushara dabs it to point and wants to take a quick single but is sent back by his partner.

Henry has missed out on the hat trick! Goes full around off, angling in, Nuwan Thushara comes forward and defends it to mid off from the front foot.

Nuwan Thushara is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mitchell Hay takes a good catch there! Back-to-back wickets for Henry and he will be on a hat-trick on the next ball! Good length, just outside off, from over the stumps, shaping away, Matheesha Pathirana goes to defend it with the full face of the bat. Instead, he only manages to get an outside edge that goes behind where the keeper Mitchell Hay dives low to his right to take the catch. Sri Lanka are nine down.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mitchell Hay takes a good catch there! Back-to-back wickets for Henry and he will be on a hat-trick on the next ball! Good length, just outside off, from over the stumps, shaping away, Matheesha Pathirana goes to defend it with the full face of the bat. Instead, he only manages to get an outside edge that goes behind where the keeper Mitchell Hay dives low to his right to take the catch. Sri Lanka are nine down.

Matheesha Pathirana comes in now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one falls. Bowled full and way wide outside off, almost on the tramline. Avishka Fernando makes room and slices this one uppishly exactly towards Tim Robinson, stationed at deep backward point boundary who just moves a couple of steps towards the right to complete that catch. The last recognised batter for Sri Lanka, Avishka Fernando departs.