T20I – New Zealand Stun Sri Lanka with a 2-0 Verdict!

Brendon McCullum looks to sweep, Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 2nd Twenty20, Colombo, September 4, 2009

The second T20I between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was again played at the RPS in Colombo, and for the fourth time at this stadium, the Sri Lankan side came out second. This game, as compared to the previous one was a rather one-sided one, with New Zealand piling up 170 in the 20 overs and then restricting the Lankans to only 148. Clearly it was a far cry from the side which had only just finished runners-up in the ICC World T20 and then beaten New Zealand in the test series.

The stars of the match for the Kiwis were Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum, who added an 84 for the first wicket – McCullum also getting his form back – whereas Martin Guptill closed the innings nicely with a 20-ball 32 to propel the score forward. Ajantha Mendis was the pick of the bowlers with 1/21 off four, along with Sanath Jayasuriya who bagged a wicket more and conceded a run more than Mendis.

In reply, Sri Lanka fell Read the rest of this entry...

T20I – Sri Lanka Lose Despite Dilshan’s Brilliance

Jacob Oram celebrates the wicket of Nuwan Kulasekera, Sri Lanka v New Zealand, 1st Twenty20, Colombo, September 2, 2009

With only 142 needed for a win, the Sri Lankan side had raced off to 67/2 in less than seven overs, and needed only 75 runs in 13 overs for a win with eight wickets standing. A walk in the park? Not when you have a middle-order like the Lankans’ in this game. It capitulated like nine pins and there was not a single player who could guide the team to a victory after the Dilshan blitzkrieg (57 off 28 deliveries).

Earlier, the Kiwis had scraped their way up to 141 as well. Again, it was a one-man show, with Ross Taylor taking up the attack to the Lankan spinners. He smashed a 45-ball 60, but there was only Martin Guptill to support him with an innings of 29. Jesse Ryder was the only other batsman to get to double figures with a 13 to his name!

Daniel Vettori who had successfully throttled Read the rest of this entry...