End of innings report : New Zealand win at a canter
In the end, it turned out to be a damp squib as New Zealand cruised their way towards a facile win by 120 runs and seal the series 4-1. Taylor and Williamson were the ones who laid the platform with fluent knocks. However, both of them fell agonisingly short of notching up hundreds. With the ball in hand, Corey Anderson struck crucial blows and rest of the bowlers supported him as they blew away the visitors.
Only Sangakkara stood alone amidst the ruins with a courageous knock of 81 off a mere 66 balls. Sri Lanka have a task on their hands to get back to winning ways as they look short of class and quality on these true wickets. Remember, they have less than 20 days to get their act together for the ICC Cricket World, 2015.
Wicket Update : New Zealand on brink of win
With wickets falling at the other end, Sangakkara had no other choice but to go after the bowling at every given opportunity. To an extent he succeeded by backing away and occasionally using his feet, but was eventually dismissed after essaying a sparkling knock of 81 by Boult. He looked to whip it through the on side but could only get a leading edge and was caught by Vettori at mid on.
New Zealand took wickets at regular intervals. © Getty
Wickets update : New Zealad on top
New Zealand continued to chip away with wickets as Sri Lanka found themselves in dire straits at 171 for 6. To make it worse for the visitors, both Jeevan Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal were run out. Sangakkara has to script some miracle for Sri Lanka for them to have any chance of even coming close to chasing down the target. In short, the hosts look set to seal the series.
Wicket Update : Sri Lanka in trouble
Sangakkara, for the umpteenth time in his career, held Sri Lanka's innings together with a superb fifty. Unfortunately from the visitors' perspective, Karunaratne was dismissed by Corey Anderson, who also picked up his third wicket of the match with that wicket. Sangakkara seemed to be playing a lone hand for Sri Lanka.
Wicket update : New Zealand gain upper hand
Jayawardene was given out lbw by Gough, the umpire. However, Jayawardene took the review and it was clear that he had got an inside edge and the decision was oveturned. The veteran batsman though, didn't last long as he looked to play Anderson on the up and offered a simple chance to McCullum at mid-off. On expected lines, Jayawardene looked unhappy.
Wickets Update : Quick wickets hurt Sri Lanka
Corey Anderson and Mitchell McClenaghan took a wicket each to reduce Sri Lanka to 61 for 2. Ronchi, the wicket-keeper, took a fine catch to send Thirimanne on a long walk back to the pavilion. Dilshan looked to up the ante by using his feet to Anderson but wasn't offered the width he wanted to and could only offer Ronchi an easy catch.
Corey Anderson in action for New Zealand. © Getty
Update : Sri Lanka make brisk start
Sri Lanka got off to a steady start in their innings. Openers, Dilshan and Thirimanne looked to play themselves in. Only when the Kiwis bowled short and wide did Dilshan play an aggressive shot. Sri Lanka certainly need a good start here.
End of Innings Report : Williamson, Taylor take NZ to 315
Ross Taylor was finally dismissed for 96 by Dilshan. However, he and Williamson helped New Zealand to reach a monstrous score of 315 for 8 on the board. Corey Anderson's timely innings also gave the hosts, the much needed impetus. On the other hand, Sri Lanka yet again didn't help their cause by bowling some wayward stuff. Dhammika Prasad picked up two wickets and Herath was economical. But rest of the bowlers weren't up to the mark.
Earlier, Williamson resurrected New Zealand's innings with a majestic knock of 97. It was his efforts that helped the hosts to recover after they lost early wickets. He twinned caution with aggression to perfection. New Zealand were off to a shaky start after they lost the wicket of McCullum in the second over. Guptill, too, could have lost his wicket, but survived a LBW shout, where he looked dead in front. Sri Lanka wanted to take the review, but to the surprise of everyone, they couldn't as DRS was down due to technical issues!
Update : New Zealand look set for big total
After Williamson was run out, Corey Anderson and Ross Taylor continued to play power-packed shots as New Zealand looked set to amass a monstrous score on the board. Anderson gave a glimpse of his power by playing a slog sweep to thwack Dilshan for a six. He also smashed Prasad all over the park in the 43rd over of the game. On the other hand, New Zealand would be happy that Taylor has comeback to form.
Wicket Update : Williamson run out after sublime innings
It seemed like the only way New Zealand could lose Williamson was through a run out and unfortunately from the hosts' perspective, that is what exactly happened in the end. It was a clear case of Taylor selling Williamson down the river! Williamson pulled a delivery from Dilshan to deep backward square leg. The fielder so positioned threw it back to wicket-keeper, Sangakkara. Williamson, on his part, was looking the second run. However, Taylor was too late to say no to his call. Williamson then, tried to get back to his crease, but Sangakarra's rocket-like throw at the non-striker's end saw Williamson short of his crease. Taylor though, showed admirable concentration prowess to not get affected by the dismissal to amass a fifty.
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