The BLACKCAPS have claimed a five wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first of three T20 internationals on their tour of the island nation.
Bowling first after losing the toss, captain Tim Southee was the pick of the BLACKCAPS bowlers finishing with 2-20 as the hosts set 174/4 from their 20 overs.
After losing both openers early, Colin de Grandhomme (44) and Ross Taylor (48) put on a superb 79-run partnership to swing the game in New Zealand's favour.
It was then left to Daryl Mitchell (25*) and Mitchell Santner (14*) to finish the job, the pair getting the BLACKCAPS home with three balls to spare.
AS IT HAPPENED...
Sri Lanka has won the toss & elected to bat first in the 1st T20I in Kandy. Ferguson ruled out with a fractured thumb. Bruce & Astle also sitting out. 7:05pm start local time 👍 #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/CNHWm0jSia
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
Here we go Kandy for the 1st T20I!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
We’re in the field with a SOLD OUT venue making plenty of noise 🔉
Captain Southee to begin with the ball - https://t.co/X4ujLu4N3i #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/EQ4g64M7QO
First power play complete here in Kandy and we’ve seen a Southee wicket combined with some strong hitting from Kusal Mendis (40*) 🏏
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
👀 Sri Lanka 68/1 after 9 overs
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/IoQFInyPPI
Spinners get going in Kandy! Santner uses his flight expertly and picks up the wicket of Fernando, stumped, as we pass the halfway mark in the Sri Lankan innings 🏏
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/9yNjtLmQLl
Sri Lanka 💯 up ✅
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
Mendis 50 ✅
Dickwella has joined Mendis and the pair are striking it well with five overs to go...Southee rotating the bowlers looking for a wicket 🏏
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/MRQMqEHk7d
Roaring finish to the Sri Lankan innings with 3 sixes in the final over to get them up to 174, built around Mendis (79). Southee 2-20. Card | https://t.co/X4ujLu4N3i #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/ndjyr6J5NA
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
Go get em boys!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
175 the 🎯#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/aY9MTDC3O1
Sri Lanka running pretty hot in the powerplay! Both openers gone with Malinga accounting for Munro first ball before Guptill skied one to the deep off Akila. Colin de Grandhomme in at four today 🏏
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/EWSgQxtEUU
Colin de Grandhomme (22* off 18) & Ross Taylor (12* off 9) in the middle as we hit the halfway mark with 113 needed from final 10 overs, 7 wickets in hand. Follow: https://t.co/iK2UDvcJg6 #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/ymNf1AhPYc
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
👏🏽 Malinga gets de Grandhomme (44) after a superb 79-run partnership with Ross Taylor 🏏Tight finish ahead...
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ https://t.co/DeX8gI9E4x
A Colin de Grandhomme departure brings Daryl Mitchell to the crease. 51 off 30 balls needed 🏏
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/XuSyoVXMfj
🌧 DRAMA! Rain comes down with NZ needing 31 from 3.1 overs 🏏 The good news is the rain has stopped and the ground staff are working hard to get us back out there!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/hGKMgPUrYk
Back out to finish the innings - Santner joins Mitchell after Taylor (48) fell LBW 🏏
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/UAuPDZYJUB
VICTORY! We’ve claimed a five wicket win in Kandy to open the T20 series in style 🏏 Daryl Mitchell and Mitch Santner seeing us home in the final over 👏🏽
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 1, 2019
CARD | https://t.co/yX6ZS6VJxD#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/m08bQOEsZb