SL VS NZ - 1st T20I, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka, 2019

A closely fought match where the pendulum kept oscillating. The fielding turned out to be the difference between the two teams. Can the Lankans level the series or will the BlackCaps seal it? Join us on Tuesday for the second T20I. Until then, it's goodbye from all of us down here.

Tim Southee, New Zealand captain: The way Daryl finished, it was outstanding. A young guy, he's played only a couple of games. To come out and play like that is encouraging. We were probably going to bat (if NZ had won the toss). We were probably a little bit off with the ball. We got out of the jail with the bat with that partnership between Colin and Ross Taylor. It's nice to win the game. A great group of guys, number of young guys coming out and playing with freedom. And also, the experienced guys stepping up in crucial moments. It's a great mix of youth and experience which makes my job easier.

Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka captain: They (youngsters) are not experienced under these conditions. We batted well, this is the way to get forward. They have to take opportunities. Wet conditions - hard to control the ball. We want to play our best cricket in the next game. The bowlers have to accumulate to wet conditions. Mental preparation is important too.

Ross Taylor, Player of the Match: We knew 170 would be a tough target. CdG took a lot of pressure off me. The run rate was always under check. We probably didn't field as well as we would have liked to. When Colin hit Udana for a four and a six, the momentum started to shift. Happy to get the win. T20 WC is only one year away and we have our big focus on it.

Jurj: What a calculated chase it was from the Kiwis!

Daryl Mitchell: It's nice to get the job done. I absolutely love playing here and these conditions are challenging. He's (Malinga) a world class bowler, my job was to give the strike to Ross, who was brilliant today.

22:58 Local Time, 17:28 GMT, 22:58 IST: New Zealand go 1-0 up in the 3-match T20I series. Defending a par score, the new ball bowlers - Malinga and Akila Dananjaya - accounted for the Kiwi openers. While the former cleaned up Munro with a peach of a yorker, the latter picked the prized scalp of Guptill. New Zealand managed to score just 36 in the powerplay. At 39-3, Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme joined hands and decided to counter-attack and did it in style. Three overs on the trot - 11th, 12th and 13th - went for 17 runs each and the Lankans were put under immense pressure. That's when skipper Malinga decided to take matters into his own hands. The 36-year-young veteran broke the 79-run association by cleaning up CdG. After two quiet overs, there was another 17-run-over, but debutant Wanidu Hasaranga delivered what seemed like the killer blow in the 17th over by dismissing Taylor. After a small rain break, the visitors needed 31 off the last 3 overs with one from Malinga left. Daryl Mitchell and Santner coupled aggression with sensible cricket to take their team home with three balls to spare. And, ICYMI, Taylor was dropped on 31 by Shanaka. Stay tuned for the presentations.

Udana to Daryl Mitchell, 2 runs, 102kph, length ball on leg, nudged through midwicket and the batsmen come back for the second. New Zealand win by five wickets

Udana to Daryl Mitchell, no run, another one off the back of the hand and Mitchell tries to slog across the line. The ball goes past the outside edge... A dot

Udana to Santner, byes, 1 run, 100kph, back-of-the-hand slower ball outside off, Santner can't make contact and the batters decide to nab a run via byes. The keeper fails to find the target at the striker's end. A direct hit would have been curtains for Mitchell

Just 3 runs needed now..

Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, no run, low full toss and Mitchell drives it straight down the ground and Malinga stops it with his boot. The bowler releases the ball quickly, but Mitchell turned around swiftly and made his ground. Hit the batsman on its way and Malinga went up for an obstructing-the-field appeal.. 15 off Malinga's final over!

Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, SIX, Mitchell picks the off-pace ball and deposits it over long-on for a six. A half-volley, Mitchell thumps it over long-on with a big swing of the bat. 3 off 7 now!

Malinga to Santner, 1 run, 135kph, low full toss, dinked to long-off. 9 off 8...

Malinga to Santner, 2 runs, sensible cricket from Santner. Fullish ball on the stumps and Santner eases it through cover-point for a brace. 10 off 9 needed!

Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, 1 run, slower ball from a short of length at 111kph, Mitchell stands tall and flat-bats it to long-on

Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, no run, 106kph, slower ball - the cutter outside off, Mitchell swings his bat hard and connects with thin air

Malinga to Daryl Mitchell, 5 wides, so unlike Malinga. Sprays one way down leg and the keeper has no chance to even get close to it. Horror start to the over for Sri Lanka

jagpal: It is 3am in Melbourne and I am working night shift... I hope the match goes down to wire and excitement keeps me awake -- I believe your wish has come true

Lasith Malinga [3.0-0-8-2] is back into the attack

Two overs to go. 18 to win. Malinga to bowl the penultimate over..

Udana to Santner, 2 runs, two more to the tally as Santner bunts this full ball down to long-on. 13 off the over!