Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Kusal Perera began in right earnest, after getting a life early on. He scored 51 off the first 70 runs Sri Lanka scored but there was almost nothing from the other end. Once he fell inside the first ten overs, the writing was on the wall. Santner and Ferguson struck twice apiece in the middle overs to further stem the run-flow. But then it was not about the runs. Theekshana and Madushanka faced 91 and 48 balls respectively, the most by any Sri Lanka batter today.

Will rain, that has not yet arrived, come to trouble New Zealand? Or will their journey to a couple of points be smooth? Join Madushka for the start of the chase soon.

5:23pm That lower-order guard just stole the thunder a bit off the New Zealand bowling. The damage was done up top - 74 for 5 in the first ten overs. But then the lower order helped them get to a score, that their bowlers can try and work with.

Here's Trent Boult: "Half the job done, will look to be positively and chase it down. There's enough in it for the spinners, slower than we thought. It's always a learning curve coming to this part of the world. Very good conditions. Coming off a couple of hard losses, but good game of cricket. Looking to peak at the right time. [Relieved to not bowl to Fakhar Zaman on this surface?] That's come and gone, the focus is on this one."

46.4
W
Ravindra to Madushanka, OUT, And that is that. Latham holds on to a sharp catch and Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 171. Lands it on a length around middle and leg, Madushanka goes back to defend but gets a feather behind. End of the stubborn 43-run partnership for the last wicket

D Madushanka c †Latham b Ravindra 19 (56m 48b 2x4 0x6) SR: 39.58

46.3
0
Ravindra to Madushanka, no run, Fuller and outside off, slapped to cover
46.2
1lb
Ravindra to Theekshana, 1 leg bye, Full on the pads, he guides it towards short fine leg
46.1
0
Ravindra to Theekshana, no run, Flatter outside off, slapped to cover

END OF OVER:
46 | 3 Runs | SL: 170/9 | RR: 3.69

  • Dilshan Madushanka19 (46b)
  • Maheesh Theekshana38 (89b)
  • Tim Southee8-0-52-1
  • Rachin Ravindra7-0-21-1
45.6
0
Southee to Madushanka, no run, Length ball on middle, solidly defended towards the off side
45.5
1
Southee to Theekshana, 1 run, Back of a length around off, steered to deep third
45.4
1
Southee to Madushanka, 1 run, Outside off on a length, slapped through covers
45.3
0
Southee to Madushanka, no run, Fuller outside off at 128kph, drives it aerially on the bounce to mid-off

New Zealand 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st86DP ConwayR Ravindra
2nd2KS WilliamsonR Ravindra
3rd42KS WilliamsonDJ Mitchell
4th15DJ MitchellMS Chapman
5th17DJ MitchellGD Phillips
6th10TWM LathamGD Phillips