New Zealand won by 4 wkts
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Tim Southee
Batter
Bowler
Both the games in the series so far have lived up to the hype of a classic T20 contest. Sri Lanka haven't been bad but the Kiwis have had the men for pressure situations and are deservingly 2-0 up, thereby pocketing the series. The final game of the series is on Friday, 6th September 2019 and while it's a dead rubber technically, the shortest format barely ceases to entertain and so, do join us for that one. Until next time, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of my mates Abhinand Raghavendran and Mukesh Gowda. Cheers and good night!
Tim Southee, winning captain and Man of the Match: Couple of great games of cricket, in front of great crowds. Always nice to get across the line in such games. Got a bit tight towards the end but we back our batters down till the end. We have some power till the end. Nice to know that the two guys aren't injured (Jayasuriya and Mendis). It's pleasing for us to see different people step up. Colin was excellent and did well with Tom to set things up after those early wickets. We'll enjoy the series win tonight and then shift our focus to the last game.
Malinga, losing skipper: We tried our best. All the youngsters gave it their all and we had a decent score. We still fought hard but didn't have the luck in those crucial moments. Glad with the brand of cricket we've played and this is how I want the team to play going forward. We have one more game, we'll try our best. Want to give the youngsters the freedom to express themselves. They're learning and hopefully they'll continue improving. Losing doesn't matter as long as the team shows character. Of course we want to win (the final game) but also want to test our bench strength. They are alright and will play the next game hopefully. (Jayasuriya and Mendis after that catch)
Colin de Grandhomme: Just trying to do my job for the team. Hit it pretty well in the Test matches, just tried to carry on from there. (When asked how he felt on not bowling today) T20 is always hard to bowl; if you don't have to bowl, it's not the worst thing. (On his improvement in batting) From IPL, working with one of the guys there in RCB, helped me a lot. Seems to be working at the moment, hopefully I keep improving. Bit nervous with the last couple of wickets, but you always know you are just one big shot away and T20 sometimes goes like that.
22:34 Local Time, 17:04 GMT, 22:34 IST: Another last-over finish and once again, the Kiwis end on the right side of it. They did lose early wickets in the chase but a cleverly-paced century stand between de Grandhomme and Bruce put them on track for a comfortable win. The former in particular played with amazing restraint and found an able partner in Bruce. The duo couldn't finish things off and there was a late wobble but the visitors were always in control. The final over started with two successive wickets and with 7 needed off 4, a twist wasn't to be ruled out but a nerveless Santner found the fence, just, thanks to a collision between Mendis and Jayasuriya, after the latter had actually done brilliantly to take the catch initially. He injured himself in the process and that six sealed things pretty much for NZ. The hosts were about 15 runs short at the break and despite getting early wickets, they leaked boundaries constantly and also were messy in the outfield. In the end, they couldn't capitalize on the crunch moments and it cost them.
Wanidu Hasaranga to Santner, FOUR, Santner seals it in style! Sits back to the shorter length and lifts it over mid-wicket. Finds the gap and gets a boundary. NZ win the T20I series!
Field is up, as you would expect. NZ just need a single to seal the series.
Jayasuriya and Kusal Mendis were the fielders and the former seems to be in bad shape. He's been taken off the field. Meanwhile the umpire changes the signal to six. My initial thoughts were the same, given that Jayasuriya's foot had touched the ropes while he took the catch. So the scores are level now.
Wanidu Hasaranga to Santner, SIX, major accident near the fence! Was a mishit from Santner as he went across the line to this googly and seemed like a straightforward catch but long-on had deep mid-wicket racing towards him as well, he still pouched it but ended up getting tripped and eventually had his foot touching the ropes before he could release the ball. A boundary and then the umpire changes his decision; deemed as SIX! NZ need 1 off 3 now!
Massive collision between deep mid-wicket and long-on. The catch was taken but I suppose the foot touched the ropes in the process. Both fielders seem down for the count. Replays show that the foot has touched the ropes when the catch was taken, so a boundary signaled.
Tim Southee, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Pressure mounting on NZ but Santner is on strike and he is a cool customer generally. Let's see what option he takes here.
Wanidu Hasaranga to Daryl Mitchell, out Caught by (sub)Lahiru Madushanka!! SL are on a team hat-trick now! Mitchell perishes. What drama here in Pallekele! Wow! This was the slider, and not in the slot for the loft but Mitchell went through with the shot, only to sky it down long-on's throat. All of a sudden, SL believe. 7 needed off 4 now. Whose your money on? Daryl Mitchell c (sub)Lahiru Madushanka b Wanidu Hasaranga 1(3)
Wanidu Hasaranga to Daryl Mitchell, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
Mitchell Santner, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Wanidu Hasaranga to Daryl Mitchell, out Tom Bruce Run Out!! Excellent stuff from Hasaranga! What a start to the final over! This was hit straight back at him and he stopped it well, before hitting the target at the bowler's end. Tom Bruce was backing away too far and was never going to get back, not with his damaged calf. The Lankans are jubilant. Seems like we could have a really nervy finish. 7 needed off 5 now. Tom Bruce run out (Wanidu Hasaranga) 53(46) [4s-3]
Wanidu Hasaranga to Daryl Mitchell, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!
Appeal for a run out. I think Tom Bruce is a goner here. He's already started to walk.
Wanidu Hasaranga [2.0-0-22-0] is back into the attack
Mitchell might probably want to tee off early in the over because with Tom Bruce unfit, there aren't going to be many quick singles. A miscalculation from Malinga means that Udana will be one over short and it's Hasaranga to bowl the 20th.