By Brian Thomas
New Zealand will be disappointed with their batting display being bowled out for 135 runs in 19.3 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat on a spin friendly wicket at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium last night.
The downfall in their batting display was the 3 scalps lost for just 31 runs in the power play overs.
Tim Robinson is guilty of not reading an arm ball off Wellalage, getting on the back foot by having his timber disturbed for 3 runs, whilst Mark Chapman was caught at deep square leg by Wanindu Hasaranga after flicking a leg side delivery off Nuwan Thushara an absolute gift to Sri Lanka with the score on 20. Will Young, who opened the batting for the Black Caps, would have kicked his heels in the hutch after scoring 19 but not reading the carrom ball from Mahesh Theekshana that had him LBW in the penultimate ball of the power play overs.
The middle order made too many mistakes against the Sri Lankan spin attack. Glenn Phillips was trapped by a Hasaranga googly for 18 whilst Mitch Santner, who is no mug with the bat, was another Hasaranga bunny, guilty of waltzing down to be stumped by Kusal Mendis. Pathirana, in all honesty, was not only guilty of bowling wides but also a no ball. He had 2 scalps but was far from his best. From 96 runs for 8 wickets, credit must be given to Zaki Foulkes and Ish Sodhi, who stiched a valuable 39-run partnership to help the visitors to a score of 135 all out in 19.3 overs. This total was a below par target.
Wellalage was impressive with 3 wickets for 20 runs, Hasaranga 2 scalps for 20 , Theekshana 1 for 21 , Nuwan Thushara 2 for 14, and Pathirana 2 wickets for 29 helped in the on field celebrations.
Sri Lanka, in pursuit of 136, did not have a cakewalk for sure. Kusal Mendis, either he blows hot or very cold even on a hot summer was out LBW gifting his wicket to Satner.
Pathum Nissanka, who looked promising on 19, went attempting a wild hike over extra cover, giving young Zaki Foulkes the first of his 3 scalps.
Kusal Perera made a flamboyant 23 , Kamindu Mendis also got bat to ball with ease before being caught by Sodhi at backward of point off Phillips for 23 as well. Bhanuka Rajapaksa was dismissed for 4 runs off a nothing execusion caught by wicket keeper Mitchel Hay off Foulkes short ball for 4, suddenly panic button was pressed in the Sri Lankan camp with the score on 87 runs for 5 wickets.
A flawless Player of the Match unbeaten 35 by skipper Charith Asalanka and a support role of 22 by Hasaranga coupled with an unbeaten 11 by the baby of the side Wellalage took Sri Lanka to 140 for 6 wickets in19 overs. The win by 4 wickets with an over to spare looks comprehensive.
However, anxious moments were on the horizon when the top 5 batters were in the hutch with the departure of Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
Zaki Foulkes 3 for 20 was the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis, whilst Michael Bracewell looked threatening.