The BLACKCAPS have finished their series against Sri Lanka on a high with a 35-run victory in the stand alone T20 fixture at Eden Park.
Sri Lanka's captain Lasith Malinga won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch that offered a bit to the seamers early on.
The visitors had early success with both opening bowlers taking two wickets apiece as the BLACKCAPS stumbled to 55/5.
However, a spirited middle order fightback from Ross Taylor and Doug Bracewell (44 off 26), then some late hitting from Scott Kuggeleijn (35 off 15) ensure the home side posted a respectable 179/7 from their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka's batsmen came out firing in the chase with the top order keeping well above the required rate, but the BLACKCAPS bowlers stuck to their task, regular breakthroughs stalling the visitors.
Lockie Ferguson (3-21) and Ish Sodhi (3-30) were particularly impressive as the squeeze went on late in the innings. Sodhi claiming the final two wickets in his fourth over to ensure the 35-run victory.
SOCIAL STREAM...
GAME DAY! Few better sights than Eden Park overflowing with cricket fans. Let's fill it tonight! First ball 7pm... #NZvSL #visitauckland @Auckland_NZ @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/3sNhicxhSw
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 10, 2019
BACK! Come see your boy @MitchellSantner tonight at @edenparknz! #NZvSL #cricketnation #visitauckland @PhotosportNZ
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 10, 2019
🎫 | https://t.co/ABfV1O6rEf pic.twitter.com/Q3LWS2pl6y
The calm before the T20 storm! We are just over an hour away from first ball. Get excited! #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/YcTc0TABOd
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
We prepping, we ready. Are you @edenparknz? Toss in 10 mins... #NZvSL #visitauckland pic.twitter.com/fgDC08WHCt
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
News from the toss - Lasith Malinga wins it and has chosen to bowl first #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/Hmjwl6MusD
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
If you don’t already... FOLLOW US on INSTAGRAM for behind the scenes action!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
FOLLOW: blackcapsnz #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/VLjh0caZ6x
Out they go! Two of the best in the T20 business to open the innings - Martin Guptill and Colin Munro
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
NZC LIVE CARD | https://t.co/KOttSwZ1L3#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/cRqQk3HN7j
Early success for Sri Lanka! Lasith Malinga claims the wickets of Guptill and Nicholls while Kasun Rajitha accounts for Seifert and Munro. They're ON tonight. Ross Taylor and Mitchell Santner to rebuild.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
🇱🇰 28/4 | 4 overs
NZC CARD | https://t.co/KOttSwZ1L3#NZvSL @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/5avFypCfCU
BLACKCAPS lose Santner on the stroke of 10 overs after a solid rebuild. Doug Bracewell comes out to join Taylor (16) at the crease... Sri Lanka bowling and fielding well here at @edenparknz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
🇱🇰 55/5 | 10 overs
NZC CARD | https://t.co/KOttSwZ1L3 #NZvSL @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/1GnnTKZ3PY
💯 up for the BLACKCAPS! Although it comes at a cost - Taylor caught behind for 33. Bracewell (21) is joined by debutant Scott Kuggeleijn (1). Starting to wrestle some momentum back off @OfficialSLC!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
🇳🇿 103/6 | 15 overs
NZC CARD | https://t.co/KOttSwZ1L3 #NZvSL @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/hqa3iu5AHH
Two overs to go here at @edenparknz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
Doug Bracewell 44 (26) with some lusty blows before departing to a superb catch in the deep!
Kuggeleijn and Southee at the crease...
🇳🇿 156/7 | 18 overs
NZC CARD | https://t.co/KOttSwZ1L3 #NZvSL @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/fksTV0YJ9q
BOOM! Scott Kuggeleijn finishes the innings with a SIX! Some serious momentum for the BLACKCAPS as they head to the innings break.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
Now to defend...
🇳🇿 179/7 | Bracewell 44 (26) | Kuggeleijn 35 (15)
NZC CARD | https://t.co/KOttSwZ1L3 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/mH9eBxTE0U
“I’ve been working hard on my batting. Just trying to stay still and watch the ball hard.” - Doug Bracewell talking to Laura McGoldrick on @skysportnz #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/D5c9kjwuZ5
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
EARLY WICKET! Lockie Ferguson strikes in the opening over! This could be a classic...
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
🇱🇰 11/1 | 1 over
NZC LIVE SCORECARD | https://t.co/KOttSwZ1L3#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/AdhNAkZUmz
Action packed opening 6-over Power Play with Sri Lanka striking their way to 61 runs, but losing three wickets. The 180-run chase is on! Card | https://t.co/25tBtjAIYy #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/PNsTNkIYGQ
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
GAME ON here @edenparknz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
💯 up for the visitors as a healthy crowd of 18,190 cricket fans enjoy the @OfficialSLC chase. Boundaries punctured with wickets; this one looks like it will go deep...
🇱🇰 | 108/4 | 11 overs#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/kXzj1TT3Kz
GRANDSTAND FINISH! Five overs to go here at @edenparknz and wickets to Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi have brought the CAPS right in contention.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
🇱🇰 | 130/7 | 15 overs#NZvSL @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/wR0cQgw4cl
VICTORY! Just like that the BLACKCAPS wrap up the Sri Lanka tail. Ish Sodhi impressive with a couple late ones and finishing with 3-30!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2019
🇳🇿 win by 35 runs.#NZvSL @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/BCptQWAffB
