NZ vs SL Ball by Ball Commentary
Commentary
New Zealand
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Match Details
Venue
Eden Park, Auckland
Toss
Sri Lanka, elected to bat
Series
Sri Lanka in New Zealand, 3 ODI Series, 2025
Series Period
05 Jan 2025 - 11 Jan 2025
Match Day
11 Jan 2025 - D/N (20 - over match)
Umpires
Richard Illingworth (ENG), Shaun Haig (NZ) and Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
Match Referee
Jeff Crowe (NZ)



Live Score
Cricket Players


WI
PAK
SL-W
PAK-W
PP
AFP
NDT
ODW
SLO
AS
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
OUT! BOWLED'EM! Theekshana wraps it up in style and a bittersweet end for Sri Lanka in this white-ball tour! Maheesh Theekshana stays around the stumps and darts it in on a fuller length, almost yorks and cramps the batter for room. Mark Chapman though sits down and looks to sweep it across. The ball lands and skids through quickly and goes off the toe-end of the bat and disturbs the furniture in a flash. SRI LANKA WIN BY 140 RUNS!
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Into the 80s now is Chapman! Drags the length down does Maheesh Theekshana, on middle, Mark Chapman rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Oh, this one stays a tad bit low. Flatter and quicker outside off, Mark Chapman squats a bit to slog it away but misses to connect as the ball passes under his bat.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
A good shot but Chapman denies a single there. Surely, he will like to play most of the balls now. Straight and flat around off, slashed away to deep cover.
Eshan Malinga to William O'Rourke, no run
Short again to the tall right-hander, on middle, William O'Rourke dodges this one as well.
Eshan Malinga to William O'Rourke, 1 run
WIDE! Dug in short and going down leg, William O'Rourke ducks under it. Wide called.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Fired in fuller and at the pads, Mark Chapman clips it past square leg for an easy single.
Eshan Malinga to William O'Rourke, 1 run
Darts in a yorker, on middle, William O'Rourke clips it wide of square leg for a single.
Eshan Malinga to William O'Rourke, no run
Too full and at the stumps. O'Rourke digs it out to short mid-wicket.
Eshan Malinga to Matt Henry, no run
OUT! TIMBER! Slower one from Eshan Malinga, into the stumps, Matt Henry had no answer to it as he fails to pick this one up. Swings early and the ball crashes into the stumps.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
On a length around middle and off, Mark Chapman tucks this towards mid on and runs one.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Too full on off, Mark Chapman thumps this to long off and takes the single this time. Mark Chapman protects Henry from Maheesh Theekshana and keeps strike at the start of the next over.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Darted on the pads, Mark Chapman tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Short and wide outside off, Mark Chapman moves away and punches this towards Wanindu Hasaranga at extra cover.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 1 run
WIDE! Full and wide outside off, Mark Chapman leaves it. Wided.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Short of a length on off, Mark Chapman rocks back and drills this to long on but turns down the single on offer.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Tossed up on off, Mark Chapman defends this off his front foot.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Short of a length around middle and leg, Mark Chapman tucks this towards short fine for no run.
Eshan Malinga to Matt Henry, no run
Yorker on leg, Matt Henry drills this to mid on for no run.
Eshan Malinga to Matt Henry, 2 runs
On a length around off, Matt Henry punches this through cover for a couple. Matt Henry doesn't get the timing right on it but gets enough to pierce the infield.
Eshan Malinga to Matt Henry, 4 runs
FOUR! A boundary following the biggie. Full and wide outside off, Matt Henry slices this through the backward point region for a boundary more.
Eshan Malinga to Matt Henry, 6 runs
SIX! Matt Henry opens up his account with a six behind the stumps. Short-pitched on off, Matt Henry leans back and ramps this over the keeper for a biggie towards the sight screen but behind the stumps.
Eshan Malinga to Matt Henry, no run
Too full on the pads, Matt Henry goes for the flick but misses. The ball deflects off the pads on off for no run.
Eshan Malinga to Nathan Smith, no run
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Eshan Malinga breaks a partnership that was growing in confidence. A bowling change works like a wonder for the tourists. Eshan bowls it on a good length and keeps the line of attack around off, Nathan Smith pokes at it as the ball zips through and nips away a shy bit. He gets an outside edge and the ball is pouched by Kusal Mendis safely behind the wickets. New Zealand are 8 wickets down now.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, no run
Back of a length on off, Mark Chapman looks to tuck this towards leg but gets it off the bat and into the pads with the ball rolling towards a charging in Kamindu Mendis from backward point for no run.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Nathan Smith, 1 run
On a length around off, Nathan Smith dabs this into the surface and bouncing over backward point for one.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Nathan Smith, no run
On a length around middle and off, Nathan Smith drives this to mid on for no run.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Nathan Smith, no run
Back of a length around off, Nathan Smith goes for the punch off his back foot. The ball hits high on the sticker of his bat and lands inches short of mid off.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Nathan Smith, no run
Good length wide of off, Nathan Smith goes for a late cut but gets beaten.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length around middle and leg, Mark Chapman flat bats this to mid on and runs one. Brings up the 50-run partnership between these two.
Asitha Fernando to Nathan Smith, no run
Short-pitched, into the batter. Nathan Smith ducks down.
Asitha Fernando to Nathan Smith, no run
Wide yorker on off, Nathan Smith drills this towards mid off for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Nathan Smith, no run
Full and wide down the leg, Nathan Smith misses the flick but the ball brushes his pads onto the keeper for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
On a length around the pads, Mark Chapman flicks this through mid on for one.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
WIDE! Bumper, wide down the leg. Wided.
Asitha Fernando to Nathan Smith, 1 run
A quick single and New Zealand would do a lot better without such moments. Good length on the pads, Nathan Smith clips this off his bat onto the pads and to short leg. Mark Chapman had to dive with the fielder throwing it towards his end, the fielder misses and Chapman stays.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length on middle and leg, Mark Chapman pulls this flat and towards sweeper on leg for one.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Nathan Smith, 4 runs
FOUR! OH HELLO! Signs of aggression from Nathan Smith. Short-pitched, around middle and leg, Nathan Smith pulls this but keeps it down and wide of the mid-wicket fielder as the ball races away to the fence for four.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length on off, Mark Chapman drives this towards mid off and runs one.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Nathan Smith, 1 run
Off-cutter on off, Nathan Smith goes for the punch towards off but gets an inside edge just past the leg-stump towards backward square for one.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Nathan Smith, no run
Good length on off, Nathan Smith blocks it out on off.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length angling away from the left-hander. Mark Chapman punches this towards sweeper cover for one.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman jams this back to the bowler.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length on middle and leg, Mark Chapman thumps this into the surface and towards mid on for a quick single. Mark keeps the strike at start of the 24th.
Asitha Fernando to Nathan Smith, 1 run
Good length around off, Nathan Smith dabs this with soft hands toward third man region for a single.
Asitha Fernando to Nathan Smith, no run
Back of a length around off, Nathan Smith punches this on off but finds the fielder.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length around off, Mark Chapman punches this through cover for one.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on off, Mark Chapman goes for the pull but gets it off the bottom of his bat towards mid on for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 2 runs
Back of a length into the batter, Mark Chapman flat bats this through mid-wicket and runs a couple.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, no run
Flatter and on the pads, Nathan Smith doesn't offer any stroke at it and sees the ball deflect off his pads towards fine leg.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, 2 runs
Too full on the pads, Nathan Smith flicks this towards deep backward square and comes back for two.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, no run
Carrom-ball on the pads, Nathan Smith does not swing and the ball thumps into his pads towards short leg.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Fuller on off, Mark Chapman drives this past the bowler for one.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, 1 run
Fuller on the pads, Nathan Smith drills this to long on for one.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Short and on off, Mark Chapman cuts this through point for one.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Fuller on middle and leg, Mark Chapman tucks this to long on for a single to close the over.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, 2 runs
Tossed up on the pads, Mark Chapman flicks this through mid on and runs two.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Nathan Smith, 1 run
Too full on the pads, Nathan Smith rolls this to long on for one.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Nathan Smith, no run
Tossed up on leg, Nathan Smith deefnds this out.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Quicker and flatter around off, Mark Chapman smashes this to wide long off for one.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Into his 60s now is Chapman! Impeccable innings from the talented southpaw this! Short of a length around off, Mark Chapman clears his front leg and hammers this straight past the bowler for a boundary down the ground.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 1 run
A single to retain the strike! Drags it short and on the top of middle, Mark Chapman backs away and punches it through covers for an easy single. New Zealand need 195 more runs to win from 180 remaining balls, with just 3 wickets in hand.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, 1 run
An off-break now, full and on middle, Nathan Smith turns it to deep square leg for a single.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Tossed up, full and on middle and drifting into the leg stump, Mark Chapman gets the front foot out of the way and drills it over mid on for a single.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Around the stumps, fuller and on middle, Chapman lunges ahead and keeps it out.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, 1 run
At the stumps, drifting in, full in length, Nathan Smith drives it off the inside half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, no run
BEATEN! A deceptive carrom-ball, full and spinning outside off, Nathan Smith gets beaten on the outside edge trying to block it in front.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, no run
Tossed up and pushed through, full and on the middle, Chapman leans ahead and defends it back to the bowler.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, no run
A googly, slanting across off on a length, Chapman gets back and across and punches it to cover.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Nathan Smith, 1 run
Slow and full around off, turning away, Nathan Smith stands tall and punches it down to long off for a single.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Nathan Smith, 1 run
WIDE! Sprayed down leg on a length. Smith shoulders arms. Wide called!
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Slightly short again, on the stumps, Mark Chapman works it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, 6 runs
SIX! FIFTY FOR MARK CHAPMAN! The third of his ODI career! An outstanding inning from him under extreme pressure and has held onto one end! Dished out short and on off, Mark Chapman gets on the back foot and pulls it aerially and dumps it behind deep mid-wicket for a six. Chapman has displayed immaculate maturity and composure and has kept things pretty simple on this batting friendly deck.
Wanindu Hasaranga to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Chapman greets Hasaranga with a cracking boundary! Wanindu Hasaranga lands it on a good length, quick and flat around off, Mark Chapman is quick on his feet to rock back and flat-bats it down the ground for a boundary.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, no run
Slows it up on a fuller length, drifting on the pads. Nathan Smith leans to work it across to the leg side, but plays all over it. Wears on the front pad.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, no run
A carrom-ball, on the fuller length and at the leg stump, Nathan Smith leans on and pushes it to mid on.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, no run
Back of a length, on top of middle, Smith gets across and tucks it to mid-wicket.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, 2 runs
Dishes out an off-break, on off stump. Smith tucks it to deep backward square leg for a brace.
Maheesh Theekshana to Nathan Smith, no run
Length-delivery outside off. Lands and turns away sharply. Smith pushes at it with hard hands, gets an outside edge to short third. Looks for a single but Chapman sends him back. Smith turnaround and the the fielder throws at the batter's end. Kusal ricochets the ball onto the pegs. The TV umpire is called in to check for a run out but Smith is well inside the crease. NOT OUT!
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, no run
OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! What a sharp catch by Kusal Mendis behind the pegs! New Zealand 7 men down now! Theekshana bowls it from around the stumps and dishes out a flatter one, just around off. It lands right on the seam and grips and turns sharply away from the batter, cutting the southpaw into half as it leaves him. Mitchell Santner is totally caught off guard with his bat hanging away from the body. A thick outside edge is found and Kusal Mendis shows sharp awareness as he grabs it alertly behind the stumps. Santner departs on 2 (15) and Sri Lanka now need just 3 wickets to win.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, 5 runs
FIVE WIDES! That beats everyone! A misfire from Theekshana down leg, full in length, Santner misses to clip it away and the ball keeps drifting away and beats the keeper as well. Races away to the deep fine fence.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mitchell Santner, 1 run
At 132.4 kph, on a hard length and on the pads, Mitchell Santner misses to nudge it across and the ball rolls near the strip, deflecting off the thigh pad. The batters cross over and get a leg bye.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mitchell Santner, no run
Aims the pegs does Chamindu Wickramasinghe. Hard length, on off, Santner prods forward and defends it out solidly.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, 1 run
On a hard length at the pads, Chapman tucks it across to deep square leg for an easy single.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, no run
A pearler from Chamindu this time! This one lands on a good length, and swings away from the batter. Mark Chapman is totally undone with the nip and bounce as the ball zips past the outside edge, squaring him up.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, no run
Length ball angling across and outside off. Chapman goes for the heave across the line but gets an inside edge to short fine.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Chamindu Wickramasinghe gets greeted with a superb boundary! Chapman is batting on a completely different surface here! Pitched right up, under the bat, Chapman taps his front foot out and presents full face of the blade. Connects the middle and drills it straight down the ground for a boundary. Chapman moves into his 40s now.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, no run
Would have been a maiden if that first ball wasn't a Wide! A sensational over from Maheesh Theekshana! Pushed through and floated up, flatter and on middle, Santner blocks right in front.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, no run
Fired in fuller and at 99.6 kph, on middle, Santner gets forward and pushes it firmly to the bowler.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, no run
Very quick and full on off, tapped away to the off side.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, no run
Darts in a yorker on the legs, Santner just about jams his bat down in time and inside edges it to the right of the keeper.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, no run
Nice and full, around off, blocked off the front foot.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, no run
Fuller length around leg stump. Santner lunges forward and looks to block but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the front pad.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Santner, 1 run
WIDE! Sprays it down leg on a fuller length, Santner misses to clip it away. Kusal Mendis collects it and flashes off the bails in a blink. The TV umpire is called in to check for a stumping on an appeal from the keeper, and deems that Santner's feet was inside the popping crease while the bails were dislodged. NOT OUT!
Janith Liyanage to Mitchell Santner, 1 run
Keeps the length short again, over the top of the stumps, Mitchell Santner taps it across and in front of mid on, and sneaks a quick single to end the over.
Janith Liyanage to Mitchell Santner, no run
Hard length again, around off, Santner gets on the back foot and punches it onto the surface.
Janith Liyanage to Mitchell Santner, no run
Length ball, outside off, punched away to mid off.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length delivery, on the leg stump, Chapman clips it to mid-wicket for one.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Right out of the textbook! Fuller in length, around off, Mark Chapman takes a good stride ahead and crisply drives it past the left of covers for a cracking four.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Oh, such a well-timed stroke! Outside off on a good length, Mark Chapman gets the width and cuts it comfortably and at ease, and past backward point for a boundary.
Eshan Malinga to Mitchell Santner, no run
Short once again, on the stumps, Mitchell Santner gets on the back foot and knocks it solidly back to the bowler. New Zealand need 236 more runs to win in 216 balls remaining. Sri Lanka just 4 good deliveries away from a win.
Eshan Malinga to Mitchell Santner, no run
Short and on the top of middle, Mitchell Santner gets right behind the line and blocks it underneath the bat.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
At the pads on a hard length, at 139.4 kph, Mark Chapman hops across and glances off the hips to deep fine for a single.
Eshan Malinga to Mitchell Santner, 1 run
Pitched up, full and angling into the pads, Santner leans on and clips it to deep square leg for a single to get off the mark.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Length ball, outside the off stump, Chapman cuts it to deep point for a single.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Chapman at the other end keeps impressing! Full and on off, Mark Chapman takes a decent stride ahead and plays with a good elbow extension. Meets the ball from the middle of the bat and drives it straight down the ground for a cracking boundary.
Janith Liyanage to Michael Bracewell, no run
OUT! HIGH UP IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! New Zealand fall from from disarray to disaster as Sri Lanka get their sixth wicket! A very well judged catch, just near the boundary fence and that sums up how brilliant the Sri Lankans have been in the fielding department in this game! Coming to the delivery, Janith Liyanage bustles from over the stumps and lands this on a fractionally fuller length, just around off. Michael Bracewell clears his front leg and swings hard at it. He tries to hit it a bit too hard and loses his shape in the process. Hence mistimes it aerially. It goes miles up in the air and hangs up for an eternity. The ball sails and descends towards the deep mid-wicket region where Kamindu Mendis settles under it. Locks his eyes on the ball and takes a sharp reverse cup catch at his chest height. Bracewell goes for 13 (20) and New Zealand are 48/6.
Janith Liyanage to Michael Bracewell, no run
Pitched across off on a shortish length, Michael Bracewell cuts it off the cue half of the bat to backward point.
Janith Liyanage to Michael Bracewell, no run
Hurls it full and in the channel of off, Michael Bracewell drives this full ball straight to mid off.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Angling on top of off, on a hard length, Mark Chapman drags it across and wide of mid-wicket for a quick single.
Janith Liyanage to Michael Bracewell, 1 run
A gentle-paced delivery, outside off, on a length, Bracewell gets on the back foot and guides it to deep third for a single.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Length, outside off, Mark Chapman drives it on the up and past cover for a single.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, 4 runs
FOUR! Classy from Bracewell! A bit wayward from Eshan this time as he bowls it right on the pads, on a fuller length with a bit of tail back into the batter. Michael Bracewell leans on the ball and clips it aerially. Gets it behind mid-wicket and it races away to the fence for a boundary. Bracewell moves into the double figures.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
Nagging length, just outside off, Bracewell stabs it to the off side.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
Length, across off, blocked off the back foot.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, 2 runs
IN THE AIR...but lands safe in the deep! Pitched up and on the stumps, Michael Bracewell prods forward and mistimes it in the air with a straight bat. The ball spoons up in the air and lands behind the cover region. The batters scamper back for the second run.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
Oh, that took off the surface! Short and on the leg stump line. It lands and bounces more, Michael Bracewell swivels for a pull shot but it zips past his body and the keeper collects it on his face level.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Almost chopped on again! Slanting across off on a length, Mark Chapman looks to punch it to the off side but inside edges it and the ball dribbles over the leg stump and goes to deep fine. A single taken.
Janith Liyanage to Michael Bracewell, no run
Closer to the off stump on a hard length, Michael Bracewell punches it off the inside half of the bat to the off side. Good start for the right-arm medium Liyanage. Just three runs from this one.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Back of a length, slightly outside off, Mark Chapman stays tall and slashes it with almost a horizontal bat and gets it through covers for a single.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, no run
A gentle away movement on a fuller length, outside off, Mark Chapman strides across and times the ball to perfection, but can't find the gap. Hits it hard and straight to the cover fielder.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, no run
Length ball again, hurled outside off, Mark Chapman gets across and cuts it straight to point.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, no run
Across off again, on a good length, Mark Chapman slashes hard and almost chops it on. Inside edges onto the boot and the ball rolls beside the sticks.
Janith Liyanage to Mark Chapman, 2 runs
Hurls it on a gentle pace, across off on a length, Chapman covers the stumps and punches it through cover-point for a couple of runs.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
Good length around off, Michael Bracewell leaves this alone.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length on off, Mark Chapman punches this into the surface and through cover for one. Charith Asalanka at cover, gets a good piece of hand at it and takes the sting out of this stroke.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, no run
On a length wide of off, Mark Chapman dabs this gently towards off.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, no run
Bumper, around leg, Mark Chapman ducks down.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on the pads, Mark Chapman tucks this towards leg for no run.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on off, Maheesh Theekshana punches this to cover for no run.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
WIDE! Hurls it down leg on a fuller length, Chapman misses to flick it across and the keeper collects it behind the pegs. The Lankans go upstairs for a caught behind appeal down the leg but the UltraEdge shows no spike as the ball passes the bat. Sri Lanka loses a review and the umpire signals this wide as well. A waste of a review by Sri Lanka.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
WIDE! On a length wide down the leg, Mark Chapman misses. Wided.
Asitha Fernando to Michael Bracewell, no run
Back of a length on leg, Michael Bracewell defends this off his back foot.
Asitha Fernando to Michael Bracewell, 6 runs
SIX! First poor delivery from Asitha Fernando and he has been taken to the cleaners by Michael Bracewell. Short-pitched, around leg, at a gentle pace. Michael Bracewell pulls this right off the middle of his bat and the ball sails over the fence towards deep mid-wicket for six.
Asitha Fernando to Michael Bracewell, no run
Inswing yorker, too full and in the line of stumps. Michael Bracewell does well to plant his front foot away from the line of it and push this towards mid on for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Michael Bracewell, no run
Good length on middle and leg, Michael Bracewell flicks this towards backward square leg for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length on the pads, Mark Chapman tucks this towards deep square for one.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
Asitha continues to spit some venom. Bumper, around off. Mark Chapman leaves this one.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
WIDE! Short and wide down the leg. Wided.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
Pitched-up on off, Michael Bracewell drives this to mid off for no run.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, 1 run
WIDE! On a length, down the leg. Michael Bracewell misses the flick. Wide called.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
On a length around the pads, Michael Bracewell flicks this one but finds the fielder.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
Good length on off, Michael Bracewell defends this one.
Eshan Malinga to Michael Bracewell, no run
On a length around off, Michael Bracewell leaves it.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Good length on off, Mark Chapman pushes this to mid off and takes one.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length around off, Mark Chapman jams this on off for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Michael Bracewell, no run
Double delight in this over for Asitha Fernando as he picks up two and gives just one as wide in this one.
Asitha Fernando to Michael Bracewell, 1 run
WIDE! On a length wide down the leg, Michael Bracewell misses the flick. Wided.
Asitha Fernando to Glenn Phillips, no run
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Asitha strikes a double whammy! Half of the Kiwi side is in the sheds now. Another sharp catch in the cordon this time and Glenn Phillips has to walk back now. On a length, angling in and nipping away from the batter. Glenn Phillips with no footwork goes for the off-drive, gets an outside edge and Kamindu Mendis at second slip, dives to his left and holds onto this. The catching from the Lankans have been top-notch. Asitha Fernando claims his third wicket and is pumped up to the bits. First Latham and now Phillips falls for a duck! New Zealand further slip down to 21/5, needing more 170 runs to win, with just 5 wickets in hand.
Asitha Fernando to Glenn Phillips, no run
Good length on off, Glenn Phillips defends this off his front foot.
Asitha Fernando to Glenn Phillips, no run
On a length wide of off, Glenn Phillips leaves this one.
Asitha Fernando to Tom Latham, no run
OUT! TAKEN! AND ANOTHER BLINDER TO DISMISS ANOTHER KIWI BATTER! Back of a length angling away from the left-handed Latham. It lands and bounces a bit more getting heavy on the left-hander. Tom hops up on his toes and punches this, but fails to keep it down along the ground. Ends up hitting flat and parallel to the left of Wanindu Hasaranga at backward point expecting some runs. Wanindu Hasaranga has other ideas and he dives to his left at full stretch, gets low, and holds onto this in his non-dominating hand. The Kiwis should be advised not to hit anything near the Lankan Lions that are roaring right now. New Zealand are 21/4 and are in all sorts of misery now.
Asitha Fernando to Tom Latham, no run
Full and wide outside off, Tom Latham goes for the drive but misses.
Eshan Malinga to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on the pads, Mark Chapman looks to nudge this around leg but gets thumped on his pads and the ball rolls over to mid-wicket for no run.
Eshan Malinga to Tom Latham, 1 run
LEG BYE! On a length down the leg, Tom Latham misses the flick and the ball clips his pads towards fine leg for one. Leg bye signaled.
Eshan Malinga to Tom Latham, no run
Good length on off, Tom Latham dabs this towards off.
Eshan Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, no run
OUT! OH DEAR ME! What are we witnessing in the field from Sri Lanka? The Kiwis are rattled right at the top as Daryl Mitchell too departs cheaply. On a length wide of off, Daryl Mitchell walks down the track and punches this. Hits this uppish and wide to the substitute fielder, Nuwanidu Fernando, at point. Nuwanidu Fernando dives full stretch to his left and takes it cleanly. New Zealand is further dented to 20/3, needing another 271 runs to win, with 7 wickets in hand.
Eshan Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, no run
On a length around off, Daryl Mitchell punches this towards cover-point for a dot.
Eshan Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, no run
Good length on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell tucks this towards leg for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
On a length, on off. Mark Chapman blocks it out on off.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 1 run
WIDE! On a length wide outside off, Mark Chapman leaves it. Wided. A bit hard on the bowler it seemed to the naked eye.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on middle and off, Mark Chapman plays the on-drive but finds Asitha Fernando on his follow-through. Too good a stroke for nothing.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
Back of a length on middle and leg, Mark Chapman tucks this towards leg for another dot.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on leg, Mark Chapman blocks it out on leg again.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
On a length around middle and leg, Mark Chapman pushes this towards mid on for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! CARVED AWAY! Good length, angling away from the batter, Mark Chapman steps across and cuts this on the bounce through point for four runs. Brilliant hand-eye coordination on display from Mark.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 1 run
Tossed up on off, Maheesh Theekshana drills this to long off for one.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Full and wide outside off, Mark Chapman defends this off his front foot.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Fuller on off, Mark Chapman brings back some sanity and blocks it out.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries from the bat of Mark Chapman and that Kiwi dressing room will breathe easy. Quicker and flatter around off, Mark Chapman rocks back and cuts this late as he pierces the gap between short third and backward point for four.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, 4 runs
FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Mark Chapman gets right on top of it and smashes this through extra cover for four runs.
Maheesh Theekshana to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run
Too full on off, Daryl Mitchell plays the reverse sweep for one.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
Good length on the pads, Maheesh Theekshana tucks this towards leg for no run.
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
IS IT ANOTHER PIECE OF BEAUTY FROM Asitha Fernando? Inswinging fuller one around the pads, Mark Chapman goes for the flick and misses. The bat thumps into the right shoe but the ball deflects off the front pad towards the left of Asitha Fernando on his follow-through. Asitha Fernando takes this and appeals thinking the batter had hit it. Charith Asalanka goes upstairs. The UltraEdge confirms no connection of the ball with the bat or gloves and the Ball Tracking confirms that it had pitched outside leg. Sri Lanka burn a review!
Asitha Fernando to Mark Chapman, no run
Full toss wide of off, Mark Chapman punches this on the bounce towards the Kamindu at short cover. Kamindu Mendis flies parallel to the surface and fields this one. The Lankans are absolutely pumped up.
Asitha Fernando to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run
Asitha Fernando is dealing in yorkers here. Inswinging yorker first up to Daryl Mitchell. The batter helps this towards third man region for one.
Asitha Fernando to Rachin Ravindra, no run
OUT! BOWLED'EM! THROUGH HIS DEFENCE! A corker of a delivery and you won't see many better inswinging yorkers bang on target than this. Asitha charges in from over the stumps and spears in a pinpoint yorker. Gets that lateral movement as the ball tails back in after pitching with Ravindra having no answer to it at all. He brings the bat in front to block but gets a bit late and the ball beats the bat and disturbs the timber. A match-winning 79 in the previous ODI, but Rachin Ravindra goes for 1 (5) this time around, and New Zealand is dealt with a couple of early blows. 4/2 after 2.2 overs.
Asitha Fernando to Rachin Ravindra, no run
Good length on off, Rachin Ravindra defends this back to the bowler.
Asitha Fernando to Rachin Ravindra, 1 run
WIDE! On a length wide down the leg, Rachin Ravindra leaves it. Wided.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Fuller and flatter around off, Mark Chapman leaves this as well.
Maheesh Theekshana to Mark Chapman, no run
Floated wide of off, Mark Chapman leaves it.
Maheesh Theekshana to Will Young, no run
OUT! FLAT IN THE AIR AND GONE! The struggle ends for Will Young and the Lankans celebrate in unison as they get their first breakthrough. Theekshana dishes out a flatter and quicker one, around off, with the seam in an upright position. It is that conventional in-drifter tailing into the batter with some pace on it. Will Young is hurried and looks to nudge this away towards leg but gets a bit more than what he would have liked onto it. The ball chips straight into the safe hands of Avishka Fernando at short mid-wicket for a simple catch. New Zealand are struck early for 3/1.
Maheesh Theekshana to Will Young, no run
Carrom-ball around the pads, Will Young swings early and misses. The ball deflects off his pads towards short third.
Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, 2 runs
NO BALL! Maheesh Theekshana has overstepped. Short of a length, darted into the batter. Rachin Ravindra pushes this gently towards off and runs a quick one. FREE HIT up next for Young.
Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, no run
Floated around off, Rachin Ravindra pokes at it but gets beaten.
Maheesh Theekshana to Rachin Ravindra, no run
Surprisingly, Maheesh Theekshana gives it some air and it grips and bounces around off, Rachin Ravindra defends this towards cover-point.
Asitha Fernando to Will Young, no run
On a length wide of off, Will Young shoulders arms it. An excellent start with the ball for Asitha Fernando and Sri Lanka.
Asitha Fernando to Will Young, no run
On a length around off, Young defends this with a bit more conviction.
Asitha Fernando to Will Young, no run
Good length wide of off, Will Young lets it sail back to the keeper.
Asitha Fernando to Will Young, no run
EDGED AND DROPPED! On a length around off, angling into the batter this time. Will Young looks to block this out but gets an outside edge low to the left of first slip and he drops it.
Asitha Fernando to Will Young, no run
On a length wide outside off, Will Young swings and gets beaten as it goes away from the batter.
Asitha Fernando to Will Young, 1 run
WIDE! Short and wide outside off, Will Young leaves it. Wided.
Asitha Fernando to Will Young, no run
Starts with a fuller one around off, Will Young drives this towards mid off for no run to begin the chase. It did shape away from the batter after pitching.