New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Highlights: Kiwis beat SL by 65 runs, reach closer to semi-finals

That’s it from the live coverage of the super 12 contest. But today’s match has set up a perfect mood for a triple header Sunday coming tomorrow. Do not miss out on the live updates as three matches will be played, deciding who has the upper edge for the semi-finals.

Good bye and have a good time!

My conversation (with Mitchell) was to carry on as long as possible, play the right possible shots, was a little difficult against the slower balls, but we managed to get to a competitive total. I couldn’t put away the slower ones, but managed to execute my skills against the pacers, especially when pace was on. The bowlers did well later on. I did cramp up a bit, lack of salts possibly there, the boys asked me not to take any further risks on limping away). They swung the new ball (Boult and Southee), and the slower ones were holding onto the surface, getting early wickets was crucial and we managed to do that early. It was an exceptional performance by our bowlers and fielders.

Sri Lanka started the match in an excellent manner and at one moment it seemed like New Zealand will struggle to compete in this match. However, SL allowed them to come back into the match with some dropped catches and mediocre bowling. Glenn Phillips used those gifts to his best and scored a magnificent century to put on a competitive total on the board at halfway mark.

The Sri Lankan run chase was expected to be a competitive one, but Tim Southee and Trent Boult ensured that the target was an overwhelming one for the Lankans bagging four wickets in the powerplay and the fifth wicket, on the immediate ball after the end of powerplay. Sri Lanka could never get back in the game with the kind of middle order they have after losing five wickets for 24 runs.

New Zealand have a envious NRR of 3.85 and with two wins and a washout, they sit comfortably at the top with 5 points from three matches. They already have their one foot in the door for the semi-finals.

Glenn Phillips is man of the match for his brilliant century!

19.2 Sri Lanka has been bundled out! A flighted delivery from Sodhi, Lahiru Kumara comes down the track to hit a biggie, but completely misses it. Conway, behind the stumps, wraps up the stumping and hence, the Sri Lanka innings quite quickly. Sri Lanka are put out of their long misery and New Zealand have a comprehensive victory. Lahiru Kumara st Conway b Sodhi 4 (5)

18.5 100 up for Sri Lanka, with a wide. Tim Southee mocks for a review, as he felt it hit the batter on its way through to the wicket-keeper! The Sri Lankan fans are still in the stadium and are cheering the 100 loudly!

16.6 Trent Boult finishes his spell with SL skipper Dasun Shanaka’s wicket! Those are best figures for the left-armer in T20 Internationals. A slow bouncer from Boult and Shanaka pulls it hard towards deep square leg. Daryl Mitchell reverse-cups it comfortably. The ball was as high at the level of the eyes of Shanaka when he played the shot. Dasun Shanaka c Mitchell b Boult 35 (32)

15.4 Sri Lanka skipper is continuing to hit boundaries. Another short delivery from Ferguson and Shanaka pulls it towards fine leg for four runs.

The Sri Lankan fans are still cheering the runs for their side.

14.4 Dasun Shanaka is still out there in the middle. That was a half volley in the arc for Shanaka and he swivells it for a big six over mid-wicket.

New Zealand have clearly been the better side with the ball and in the field, and that is proving to be the difference between the two sides. Glenn Phillips did play a match-winning knock, but he was dropped on 12 and that was an easy catch to be taken. Sri Lanka dropped a few too many and also gave away a free hits for NZ to ease out the pressure.