New Zealand Stun Sri Lanka at Bay Oval

New Zealand have stunned Sri Lanka at Bay Oval with a show led by Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell with the bat, followed up by an allround second half bowling performance. 

Openers Tim Robinson (11) and Rachin Ravindra (8) got New Zealand off to a slow start but did fall within the same over as Binura Fernando struck for the visitors.

There was further success with spinner Maheesh Theekshana (2/29) getting the important wickets of Glenn Phillips (8) and then Mitch Hay first ball to have the hosts sitting at 65/5 at the halfway mark.

Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell’s record breaking six wicket stand for New Zealand of 105, swung the momentum back to their side.

They took on the bowlers but particularly Matheesha Pathirana who went for 60 from his four overs.

Both Mitchell (52) and Bracewell (59) fell in the final over to Wanindu Hasaranga (2/33) as the New Zealanders put on a solid total of 172/8.

Sri Lanka had a superb start to their batting innings as Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took to the New Zealand bowlers in the first ten overs, roaring to 95/0.

A game changing 14th over from Jacob Duffy allowed New Zealand to get right back into the game as he grabbed Mendis (46), Kusal Perera (0), and Kamindu Mendis (0) to take the visitors to 121/3.

Nissanka however kept pushing on, but the experience of Matt Henry in the penultimate over got him for 90 and then Bhanuka Rajapaska out for eight. 

Going into the final over Sri Lanka needed 14 to win, but two wickets on the first ball with Theekshana out to Foulkes for one and then Hasaranga run out for five, left the Kiwis in the dominant position.

Sri Lanka only managed five from the final four balls as New Zealand somehow managed an eight run win heading into the second T20I at Bay Oval on Monday evening.