Transcript of the Commentary - New Zealand Innings

Prem: 189 the final score, which has the Lankans with an awesome batting lineup chasing 190 off 50 overs. Shouldn't be a toughie, but then again, sometimes, while the giant totals keep you focussed -- like SA were yesterday -- the smaller totals sometimes prove the tricky ones. As always, what Jaya and kalu do in the first 15 should set the pace of the innings, we'll tell you about that in about 45 minutes. *gone*

Prem: Two balls left, Jaya to Wiseman, again a flat fast ball, on leg stump, Wiseman tries to hit, misses, off the pad to short third man, they take the leg bye, try to take the second, that's Mahanama there and he rarely sends in a bad return, this is into Kalu's gloves, by the side of the stumps, and the batsman not even in the frame there, NZ all out with one ball left in the final over. With which, folks, we will shut down for the interval, and be back with the lankan reply in about 45 minutes from now.

Prem: And that one is hit very hard, back down the track, Jaya fields on the follow through.

Prem: Jaya to Wiseman, huge swing and miss, leg bye, that one was missing leg, so the appeal not on really.

Prem: Jaya, like Dharma, can keep it very flat and fast when he wants to, making the hit over the top next to impossible. Allott though manages to sweep, up in the air but over midwicket, gets two.

Prem: Jayasuriya bowling the final over, starts with a wide, ball two is clubbed to long on, just the single.

Prem: Single off the last ball, and that brings the innnings into the final over. Off the last 123 deliveries, not a single four hit by the Kiwis, which tells its own tale, really.

Prem: Wow, another quick run taken, again, just about managing to head the ball as it rockets to the bwoler's end. Dharma not letting up an inch, very tight line and the Lankans now have a relaxed look about them in between balls, lots of smiles and thumbs up signs going around. 3.67 the run rate of the Kiwis now and two, this time, to a drive to the left of Mahanama, who had to runto midwicket from sweeper position and still made good enough time to almost beat the batsman. Ball five, on drive, single.

Prem: Alott the last man in and almost another run out, yes, no, hang on, and finally, they both keep their ends, no damage.

Prem: Jaya trying to fire one through leg, goes too far of the stumps and called for the wide. Next ball, Wiseman pushes to cover, Aravinda very close there, Wiseman calls the run, Doull responds, then spots aravinda and sends his partner back but Wiseman wasn't even looking -- no problem running Doull out there, he was at the same end as Wiseman when Aravinda literally ran the ball in to Kalu.

ctually, there is no chance for SL to lose this game. there is NOTHING in this pitch for the bowlers, so NZ can pack up. Ramki Prem: Jayasuriya bowlin the 48th, which with Vaas and Zoysa in hand is sheeer luxur for Ranatunga. Both batsmen get singles to start off, with little pushes in the V, ball three to Doull, hoiked, finds mid on, single.

Prem: The usual hassle, ball losing its colour so replacements being called for... and a lull in play the result.

Prem: Doull seems to have settled for the heave-ho method of batting. Two abortive heaves, and off the last ball, a single to mid on, ends the over with three more to go.

Prem: Dharmasena continues, bowling to Doull who gets one away square on the on, single. Wiseman now on strike, to Dharma. There he goes, bwoling fast enought to qualify for medium pace status, no room for the shot. Good running to the next ball, from Doull, Wiseman got it on the pad, backward square was very close but Doull just ran to the danger end, head down and going for all he was worth.

Prem: Shalini>> given the attack they have, no option for the Kiwis but to get things very clear in their opening bowlers' minds -- bowl bang on the stumps, keep it very full in length, no room for either batsman to go over the top, choke them and hope their overconfidence in the face of a small total will produce a mistake or three. Not much of a strategy but with this total, and this attack, that's about the best you can do anyway.

Prem: Shalini>> It would have been, except that to guys like Kalu and Jayasuriya, who like to go over the top, spinners like Vettori and Wiseman, neither of whom are huge turners, would be a sheer giveaway -- those guys will just stand there undecided whether to go forthe four or the six.

Prem: And there's the wicket, number three, lovely off break, slightly short, Vettori looking to swing it over midwicket, gets the edge, Kalu stays with the ball, coming up with the deviation and holding with remarkable ease.

If the kiwi quickies are erratic, would it be wise if they start of with spinner, like they used patel to open? A gamble worth when defending a pathetic total as this! Shalini Prem: Just 17 in the last five, for the loss of Parore, si brilliant work from the Lankans in the field and with the ball. Murali to bowl the 46th, Vettori on strike, flights one, beats the batsman as he comes forward but Kalu doesn't gather cleanly, or that was a stumping. Ballt wo, Vettori stays in the crease and plays to mid off, no run. this is Murali's last over, going at 31 runs, two wickets, thus far. Vettori cuts, finds point, no run.

Prem: This time, Vettori making room to leg, then guiding it down behind point, another single, 6 in the over, the 45th ending with Kiwis 169/7, moving along from 152/6 in 40.

Prem: Yeah, right, the third umpire has ruled Doull in. And Vettori clubs one to cover, Ranatunga stops the blazing hit but loses sight of the ball for a bit and before he can find it and pick it up, they cross over. Dharma, now bowling the 45th over of the innings, to Doull, who is down the track flicking through midwicket and again, Mahanama this time very quick to come in off the line and fire in a return, keeps it to one. Ball five, round the wicekt to Doull who clubs it through cover, gets two this time as the ball is wide of the fielder.

Prem: Overs being rushed through here at a pretty rapid rate, and Ranatunga quite content to let his spinners do the work, holding his seamers back. Dharma to Doull, who on drives, Ranatunga fields at mid on, quick return but the throw just wide of the stumps and I would think Doull just made it back before Dharma could gather and break the stumps

Prem: 3.7 the run rate here and way too inadequate. The Kiwis have wiseman and vettori to bowl spin, but for one thing the Lankans are pretty good playesrs of spin and for another, their opening bowlers are too erratic in length and line, which could be fatal against the Jayasuriya-Kaluwitharana combo.

Prem: Murali, round the wicket, and Vettori off drives, gets one.

Prem: Murali the bowler, Vettori on strike and sweeps, straight to short fine leg, good field placing here, no run.

Prem: Simon Doull the new man in, and starts off with a single to square leg, lazy work by the Lankans, fielding and throwing needlessly, permitting the single.

Prem: PC:: Of those two, I would prefer Kanitkar. Chopra is not a good enough bowler for the side to pick him automatically, so I would pick Kanitkar since I get a bit of batting and bowling. But if say Bajju were in the squad, then it's a no contest, I would go for the attacking spinner any day.

Prem: Parore down the wicekt, trying to swing over long on, doesn't really get under it, ends up lifting high, and right down the throat of wide long on. And that's the last of the recognised batsmen, walking back -- Dharma's way of pushing it flat, and fast, doesn't really permit that kind of stroke, as Parore found out just now. Good innings, but in the final analysis, might not be good enough.

Prem, whats the ideal here, pack up with batsmen and bits and pieces slow bowlers or go with good bowlers? I mean woulkd you prefer Kanitkar or Nikhil Chopra PC Prem: Into the 43rd over, here, Dharma continuing and single for Vettori, next ball, Parore flicks square on the on, fielder deep and wide there, the batsmen push the envelope on the running and convert it into two. Ball three, the on drive but Ranatunga quick to cut it off.

I think this is a one-sided match and not a one-day match. Cake walk for SL. Ganesh-Reaching 220 is a far cry for the NZs Shalini Prem: Parore with another of his whippy on drives, really plays that shot well, one more to him, Murali back round the wicekt to Vettori, two balls left in the 42nd and again, Vettori drives to a flighted one on off, beaten by flight and turn and Kalu tidies up. Last ball, on leg stump, pushed to mid on, single taken, so Vettori actually retains strike here.

It really seems like that we are going to sorely miss harbhajan singh if any of the other pitches play like this one or If India end up playing on this one but regardless i think joshi and Kumble can take care of the aussies. But meanwhile NZ seem to be out of the tourney unless the last ten overs they get about 70 or so Chaitanya Prem: Vettori on strike now to Murali, going round the wicket with a slip in place. Attacking field placing this late in the innings, good captaincy by Ranatunga, meanwhile, Vettori flashes and misses at one outside off and turning further away. Ball three, a paddle, to backward square and a very quick single.

Prem: Murali to Parore, overflighted, Parore takes it on the full and drives thrugh midwicekt, one more.

Prem: Chandana now to the left handed Vettori. Two balls left in the 41st. Vettori plays back to the bowler, twice on the trot, Dharma ends his over, nine more in the innings.

Prem: Dharmasena keeping the ball very flat, for Parore, who will be looking to get two or more in the early part of an over, then the single to keeps trike towards the end. Here, off the 4th ball, an on drive gets him a single and that is a lovely 50, with the one blemish at 6 when Dharmasena put him down off Murali at backward square.

Hey seems like 220/230 is not a big total for the gusty Lankans and we would witness a battle between S.A and S.Lanka very soon. Ganesh Prem: Dharmasena, bang on schedule, coming back to bowl at the death, his flat line makes the up and over hit rather an iffy proposition, and he has five overs to bowl, Vaas and Zoysa have five or more left, Ranatunga with a lot of options at the death.

Prem: Last ball of Murali's over, Parore on drives, looking forthe single to retain strike, goes on to 49 and Kiwis, moving from 129/4 in 35, are now 152/6 in 40.

Prem: Vettori the new man in, joining Parore. Hue grin on Murali's face as he prepares to play. Meanwhile, on the replay, Tait was playing a long way away from his body, trying to run it down to third man, Murali sending it through the gate in clinical fashiohn. Now round the wicket to Vettori, who pushes to point, Parore races down to the other end, Jaya picks up and throws back but slightly wide of the stumps at the non-striker's end, that throw, a shade closer to the stumps, would have been the end of Vettori.

Prem: ABC>> It's working -- I can see what you guys type and if it is a comment about the match in progress, then it gets cut and pasted here, along with the commentary.

Prem: Ball two, the yorker length ball on off, Tait plays it away fromhis body and is bowled through the gate, a very clinical takeout of a tailender there and Kiwis lose number 6.

Prem: 39 overs gone, 11 to come and Kiwis way behind where they want to be, at 150/5 and with no batting to follow -- Parore wont really be able to take risks, and meanwhile, in comes Muralitharan, ball one sending an off spinner right through a huge swish by Tait.

Prem: Tait not quite clear what he is doing here, but for now, another edge, this one rolling down to a very fine third man, beats Ranatunga at short third man and four more.

Prem: PC:: Like Azhar and Gaekwad keep saying, would have loved Harbajan bowling on a wicket like this -- in fact, if he were here, might have been a good idea for India to play all three spinners, even if it means going a batsman short. But yeah, in his absence, Joshi more than Kumble has the edge on a track like this.

Prem, you feel Joshi may be key on a pitch like this? slow big turn? PC Prem: Chandana continues, bowling to Tait. A huge swing, inner edge takes i dangerously past leg stump, two to fine leg

Prem: Jajasuriya now o leg, Tait flicks and misses, leg bye ends the 38th over.

Prem: Jaya to Parore, who steps back, shortens the length and plays through square leg off his hips, gets one more, nice inteligent batting by this batsman through his innings, justifying his rating as one of thebest bats in the Kiwi lineup. Tait tries to run one down to third man but Ranatunga has kept himself at short third man, no run.

Prem: Jayasuriya, over number 38 coming up, bowling to Parore on 44 off 70, pushes one through flat on off and the batsman defends. Ball two, again the same line and same response. Ball three, faster, on leg, on driven, good running gets the second, Tait pushing himself onthe first and returning quickly to complete the second.

Prem: 3.74 the Kiwi run rate, and Parore sweeps, again, the stroke is well played but the sweeper is well placed for it, just the single to end the over.

Prem: Chandana, overpitched, on driven but Ranatunga very quickly across from wide midwicekt, no run.

Prem: Chandana again, this one on leg and on driven, wide of the sweeper and that brings the second run into te realm of the possible.

Prem: Not that 250 is going to pose much of a challenge for the World Cup holders against a predominantly medium pace attack, but with that kind of total on the board and some disciplined bowling in the first few overs, the Kiwis at least have a fighting chance. Chandana continues, bowling to Parore, who drives and a brilliant stop by te bowler on the follow through.

Prem: Tait on strike, to the last ball of the 36th, from Jaya, pushes to cover and no run. 136/5 in 36, needing at least 114 more to really challenge the Lankans on this track.

Prem: Brings Tait to the crease and now, the entire burden is on Parore, batting 40, to see the innings through to the very end. New Zealand's hopes of setting a good target really crumbling here.

Prem: And that is the wicket they didnt need one bit, Jayasuriya pushing one through flat and very fast, Harris trying to play off his pads, misses, beaten for flight, also playing for turn that wasn't there, rapped on the pad in front of middle and leg and he's gone, LBW, and that is drinks. Taking a breather here.

Prem: PC: Yes he is.

Prem is Joshi available for the tourney? PC Prem: Ball two, a forcing shot off the back foot but again, straight to cover.

Prem: Jayasuriya continues. Ranatunga using his irregular bowler here, saving overs of Dharma, Murali, Vaas and Zoysa for the death pase, Harris punches off the back foot but finds the fielder. No run

Prem: Chandana, last ball of the 35th, to Harris, played behind square, single, 134/4 inn 35 the Kiwis. Having gone for 118/4 in 30 -- they are moving along, but far too slowly if they are looking at posting a total to challenge a very strong batting lineup.

Prem: Six men strung out alon the boundary line, and absolutely no place, so it seems, where the free hit is on, bowlers bowling to the field set for them, Parore sweeps, again nicely timed and hit bbut straight to the fielder, just the single.

I think it will be easier for Srilankans. Poojary Prem: Chandana continuing, Harris gently playing him to long on for another single, into the 35th over here with 15 more to go in the innings, and the Kiwis needing at least 120 runs more to challenge the Lankan batting lineup.

if it is 2 or even if it isnt if the indians play on this pitch and it plays like today they are sorely going to miss bajju (Harbhajan Singh). Pretty stuppid how the BCCI shows no guts when it comes to basic things like supporting your own players. Chaintanya Prem: Parore's strike rate getting pushed back a bit here, after McMillan got out. Here, Harris cover driving, brings in the sweeper, thinks of a second but not on, the fielders riding the boundary really attack the ball and send the return in flat and fast, not much chance of twos unless the ball is placed well wide of them.

Prem: Chaitanya:: They've made 7 pitches for the eight games, the evening before each game, the pitch to be used is mown and rolled. Meanwhile, Jayasuriya continues, and both batsmen working singles into the outfield, into the 4th ball of the 34th and Parore on strike, on drives, beaten by the faster one, rapped on the pad but on line of leg, pitching maybe fractionally outside, no damage. Ball five, ondriven, single.

chaitanya (yaar@hotmail.com) how many pitches have been prepared in the centre sqaure for this tourney?? Prem: Harris on strike, last ball of the 33rd, off drives, another single, end of the over. Thus far, the honours have been completely with the Lankan bowlers and fielders, they've choked the Kiwi innings down completely, keeping the run rate under the 4 an over mark.

Prem: Parore cuts, Ranatunga now has a fielder blocking it, at a slightly backward point, no run. Good field placing this. Chandana now pitches outside leg trying to turn it in, the batsman aims to swing it around, misses completely. Ball five, driven to midwicekt, single.

Prem: Chandana continues, Parore gets one outside off turning further away, cuts, brings in sweeper point and gets the single. Now to Harris, ball two of the 33rd, pushed gently to mid off and running with the shot, one more.

Prem: Harris not quite able to get his footwork going thus far, moving too far across the stumps and as a result, slightly cramped when the ball pitches outside off and then turns into him. Ends the over with a defensive push to point, no run.

Prem: Harris defensive to the next ball, on off turning in, Jayasuriya also getting some bite on this track -- in fact, all four spinners on view in this innings have turned the ball appreciably, Murali turning them square. Harris pushes to cover, no run.

Prem: Jayasuriya continues and so does Parore, the gentle off drive fetching him a single, batting 35 off 55 now, after being dropped, a sitter, by Dharma at backward square when he was six.

Prem: Chandana to Parore, this one on leg turning to middle, played to midwicket, thick insdie edge, no run. Last ball, Parore sweeps, does well again, but this time, straight to the sweeper, single.

Prem: Chandana to Parore, on off turning away and the batsman defends.

Prem: Harris on strike to the leg break bowler Chandana, pitches outside off, a blocked push to cover gets the batsman one, he's off the mark now.

Prem: Chandana to Parore, pitches outside leg into the rough, batsman sweeps and misses. Ball two, again in that spot but this time, Parore on drives, gets one.

Prem: Correction that is 118/4.

Prem: Jaya turning it in to the left hander, Harris not really making allowance for the turn the Lankan spinners are getting here, gets cramped, SL 118/4 in 30.

Prem: That brings Chris Harris out there to join Parore -- only this time, he will need to keep his big hitting in check, bat out a few overs first, Parore meanwhile after that little blemish when he almost holed out to backward square, motoring along quite nicely.

Prem: Right, he's gone. The Lankans are a very good fielding side and this single was badly conceived, Chandana was at point, the push was to cover point but Chandana was anticipating, moving towards it as the batsman took off, the pick up and throw was instantaneous and Kalu had it easy, taking the bails off with McMillan about two feet short of the crease. The one thing the Kiwis didnt need, just now, was a run out. Is what they get, though.

Prem: Jayasuriya continues, now to McMillan who turns one off his pads, one to midwicket. Rather strange to have Jaya and Chandana bowl in tandem, since both turn the ball away from the right hander. Meanwhile, another short single attempted off the push to point and that looks like McMillan failed to beat Chanda's throw.

Prem: Chandana to McMillan and that was faster, turned square and beat the bat outside off. Single off the last ball, through cover, takes the kiwis to 117/3.

Prem: Follows that sweep with the off drive, one more to Parore who is now on 32 off 48.

Prem: There it is, the sligthly shorter ball and swept, right through the gap at square leg for four more. He's really playing this shot very well.

Prem: This will pretty much need to be the strategy for the Kiwis, working the ball around for singles, hoping for the odd sweep or straight hit to get the boundaries, this partnership now 53 off 80 balls and Dharmasena's miss at backward square leg beginning to prove costly. Here he cuts, and almost plays on as the ball from Chandana goes through straight, Parore was playing for the leg break.

Prem: Uh oh, if Jayasuriya hadn't got in front of that throw, rather than behind the stumps, McMillan was gone -- he was halfway down the track and the throw was headed straight for the middle stump at the bowlers end. In the event, single, and McMillan drives one more to cover, next ball. Parore, last ball, cover drives, the sweeper very quick coming in, keeps it down to one.

Prem: Sorry, had a bit of a freeze, meanwhile, yeah, Murali is getting prodigious turn out there, the only bowler so far in the tournament to get this amount of tunr. Meanwhile, Jayasuriya continues, and McMillan off drives, gets the single

hey prem, It seems to me that Mcmillian and Parore are reqcovering quite well after those 2 quick wickets. Is Murli really turning the ball heaps out there, been looking at Cricinfo and they reckon Murli has been getting right angles turn. Chaitanya Kuber Prem: Huge tail for the Kiwis, after Harris and to an extent Tait, there is little left with the bat, so these two really have to bat through till the 40th at least. And now Murali is off, and leg spinner Upul Chandana comes on to bowl. Outside off turning away, cut through point first up, gets the single.

Prem: Parore gets Jayasuriya off his pads to midwicket, another single. Last ball, paddled round by Mcmillan but finds short fine leg, no run.

Prem: Jayasuriya continues, Parore on strike and driving back to the bowler. Nice easy stance Parore, impressive batsman, lovely flick off the pads to the next one gets one through midwicket.

Prem: Kiwi progression thus far: 22/1 in 5, 36/1 in 10, 56/1 in 15, 79/3 in 20 and 100/3 in 25. Water coming out for the batsmen, and both the batsmen adn the fielders are going to need a lot of it, preferably laced with salts -- the conditions are out there are the kind that makes you think you are a potato in a pressure cooker.

Prem: Murali to Parore, pitching leg, inviting the sweep and the batsman plays it to perfection, middling it well and the ball races over the fast outfield, lovely attempt by Dharmasena on the fence to dive and stop but that shot was hit too well. Next ball, again well outside off and again, Parore goes to cut, sees the ball dart back in at him and checks his shot. Last ball of the 25h, on driven, the 100 comes up for Kiwis exactly at the halfway mark.

Prem: Murali continues, bowling to McMillan. Was thinking, McMillan batting the way he does with bat in front of pad, wouldn't put it past Murali to bowl him a top spinner, slightly short, for the push back to him. For now, McMillan works one off his pads and they run another quick single.

Prem: McMillan now, off driving, playing it with the turn, finds one more. Looks a lot better against Jaya han he did against Murali, McMillan does. Parore meanwhile off drives, nice easy footwork to the spinners, one more. 3.9 the Kiwi run rate around now. McMillan defends, again the bat with the full face towards the bowler in front of the pad. Last ball, straight, short, outside off, punched through cover, single to end the over

Prem: Jayasuriya to Parore, on driven, shutting the bat face and playing against the turn, finds mid on, no run.

Prem: Hmm, this is interesting, Jayasuriya with his slow left arm stuff replacing Dharmasena at the Paltan End, with the Kiwis on 90/3 in 23, this partnership worth 32 thus far. 144 wickets to Jayasuriya off 165 matches -- Jaya started out as a bowler who could hit the odd ball, and is now an opener who can turn the odd ball. Parorre drives, finds cover, no run.

Prem: Murali now to McMillan, who keeps doing this, putting bat in front of pad and pushing, this is the second time in two overs the ball has ballooned up and fallen just short of a fielder on the on. And again, off the fifth ball, this time dropping short of the bowler himself. Bat in front of pad and facing bowler wouldn't make it to the coaching manuals as the best way of playing spin. Murali now pitches leg and turns it a mile, called wide.

Prem: Murali, and that ball was about on line of first slip and turned in to middle stump. Parore saw the width, rocked back to cut and saw the ball arting back in like a snake, lucky to get his bat down on that one in time. Ball three, on driven, brings in the sweeper at long on, single.

Prem: Dharma to Mcmillan, a hesitant paddle, ball in the air but short of square leg, no run,

Prem: Dharma now to Parore, down the track, to long on, the fielder there pushed back for Parore, one more.

Prem: Ball three, pushed to Chandana at mid on, slightly to his right and good running beats the throw. Single

Prem: Dharma continues and McMillan, feeling his oats a bit, onto his knee, gets under the ball and swings it over midiwcket, four. Ball two, played to mid on, leading edge actually but along the ground, no run

Prem: Parore constantly trying to flick and missing, in this over. Way he is playing, wont be long before Ranatunga brings in a leg slip, or a short square for the one that edges bat onto pad. Last ball, driven to long on, wide of the fielder, and they get two with some good running.

Prem: Change of gloves for Parore -- it's pretty hot out there. Murali continues. Parore batting with one of those newfangled gadgets that has scoops cut out of it at the back, the idea being to lighten it and give it a bigger, lower sweet spot. For now, Murali turning the ball like a top and turning it outside off to outside leg, enormous turn abetted by the presence of a close in fielder.

Prem: Dharma, last ball of the 20th, Parore punches to mid on, no run, 79/3 in 20 Kiwis.

Prem: Dharma to Parore, played to mid on, no run.

Prem: Dharmasena now o Parore, who turns him round and finds midwicket, no run. Ball two, onto the front foot, ondrives, finds the fielder again. Tight line from Dharma here, ball three, again down the track but the flat line of the bowler doesnt really let you get under the ball. Ball four, fuller in length and this time, Parore finally gets there, picking it up on the halfvolley and slamming it over mid on for four, the shot he was looking for all along.

Prem: Gentle push this time on the on side, quick single taken. If the Kiwi batsmen can keep getting singles, then they wont be under much pressure. And that is a bad miss, Parore sweeps, mishits, nice easy catch to backward square leg, Dharmasena looked to have it cover and then spills it. That wont please Ranatunga too much, and Dharma is in any event a very safe fielder. Looks like he had the sun in his eyes. End of 19, 75/3 Kiwis.

Prem: Murali again, andthis time, faster and flatter, turning after pitching, McMillan defends.

Prem: Murali, and McMillan down the track, not to the pitch but he goes through with it, swinging it with the spin over mid on for four.

Prem: Dharmasena to Parore, cover drive, finds Aravinda D'Silva, no run. As per the buzz, Aravinda is liable to get married to Sunita Rajendran, a top model in Lanka, later this year -- which ends a long spell of gay bachlerdom for the master batsman with the penchant for fast cars and, so says the rumour, faster women.

Prem: McMillan checks an on drive and gets one more, good play by these two now, looking actively for the singles. Parore, tries to flick, beaten, rapped on the pad, huge appeal but that was outside off.

Prem: Dharmasena, sticking to his tried and tested ploy of bowling wide of the crease and spearing it in flat, and fast, on line of off. Ball two, nice shot to mid on, single. Easy, fluent footmovement and drive there from Mcmillan. Parore, next ball, down the track lifting over midiwkcet, one to the sweeper.

Prem: Again, McMillan trying to work one to leg, cramped for room, Murali the only spinner, thus far in the tournament, to get consistent turn. Now the top spinner and McMillan, playing for turn, squared up. Last ball of the 17th, and this one is played to midwicekt, Ranatunga fields, single. 66/3 in 17,

Prem: Murali to McMillan, played on the on side, mid on fields, no run.

Hashan Tillekeratne substituting, not sure for who,fielding at sillly point though the field restrictions are now off, obviously Ranatunga wants wickets here. Parore drives to mid on, quick single taken, the batsman just beating Jayasuriya's throw. Bext ball, driven to long off and two taken to chandana, who has to run around to his right. Prem: Parore on drives, the fielder there is up to stop the single. Last ball of the 16th, from Dharmasena, driven to long on, the fielder there pushed back, so the single is on. 62/3 in 16

Prem: Ball four, Mcmillan onto the front foot, works the ball through midwicket, one more.

Prem: Parore is rated the best player of spin among the Kiwis, he's going to need all that ability here, not to mention an incredible amount of patience to bat the side out of this hole. Dharmasena, and Parore plays two successive balls, bowled wide of the crease into off, to mid on, no run. Ball three, he was looking to work it to leg but the leading edge takes it to mid off, single.

Prem: Play resumes after drinks, and another single, this time through midwicket. But off the next ball, the ball off the splice of McMillan's bat ballooning towards cover and dropping just short, to end the 15th over.

Prem: New Zealand now in disarray, not only failing to take advantage of the first fifteen, but also losing three wickets including the inform captain, and the dangerous Nathan Astle. And drinks being called onto the field at the fall of that wicket, taking a break here.

Prem: Murali to Bell, down the track, the frustration showing, the turn and flight beats the batsman and Kalu has an easy stumping to complete. That was pure pressure at work, two close fielders had Bell tentative, unsure, tried to hit his way out of trouble and bye bye Bell.

Prem: Murali to Bell, and this time, the ball off the bat, balloons over silly point and drops short of cover, Bell seems lost here, not sure of what the spinner is doing. Sweeps at ball three, finds short fine leg.

Prem: Bell on strike, and he now has a short midwicket and silly point ringing him, good aggressive captaincy here from Ranatunga. Ball two, on off, taken by Chandana at sillly point but that one looked to be off the pad.

Prem: And now Vaas also taken off, Muralitharan brought on, with one over left of the first 15 before the field can be pushed back. 135 wickets in 100 matches till date, and an economy rate of 4.21, for the offie.

Prem: McMillan drives the second ball, to cover, no run. Ball three punched to mid on and Murali like lightning there, cuts off the single. Ball four, again to Murali and again no run, Dharmasena bowling very fast and very flat on off. Interestingly, he was one of the bowlers suspected of being a chucker, but the Lankans just icked him anyway, and as a result, his confidence is sky high.

Prem (prema@hotmail.com) Vast Vaas Prem: And now the first bowling change, about time too, Dharmasena takes over from Vaas, this kind of heat, quick bowlers are going to be drained bowling 6, 7 overs on the trot. Dharmasena to Bell, played to point, again quick running. Single.

Prem: This morning, Craig McMillan was warned for showing dissent during his dismissal against Zimbabwe in the first game. It's his turn at bat and Vaas slips him the faster one first up, thuds into his pads, middle and off but the appeal turned down, Shepherd perhaps figuring the slant will take the ball past the off stump. Ends an outstanding over, Vaas coming back well after being hit for two good fours.

Prem: Vaas to Fleming and this time, he tries to flick to leg again, repeat the shot of the previous one, this time Vaas bowled it faster, beat Fleming, struck him on the pad and this one, there is no doubt, bang on off and Fleming's gone, making the mistake of underestimating Vaas, who has this knack of suddenly producing a real quick delivery.

Prem: next ball, short again, seems like Vaas is tiring a shade, Fleming this time works it off his hips, timing more than power spearing it over short midwicket and to the fence for four more.

Prem: That was a lovely straight drive, fractionally short in length the ball and Fleming onto the front foot, lovely drive back past the bowler for four.

Prem: Vaas now to Bell, yorker lenth but Bell down the track, takes it on the full and plays to mid on, single.

Prem: Vaas continues, bowls to Fleming, thumped off the back foot but finds mid on again, another single.

Prem: Last ball ofthhe 12th, Zoysa now to Fleming, outside off, Fleming down the track trying to heave over midwicekt, but only gets bottom of the bat on it, finds one to mid on. Ends the 12th over.

Prem: Zoysa to Bell, ball five of the 12th, short on leg, attempt to swing it around but no touch, off the pad to square leg, one more. 45/1.

Prem: Good comeback, yorker length on middlefrom Zoysa and Bell defends. 44/1.

Prem: Zoysa to Bell, down thet rack, and straight down the ground, all along the carpet and four for that, the first authentic shot from this youngster.

Prem: Zoysa continues, to Bell, and this time, two deliveries slower and on middle force defensive pushes, and the lankan fielders now racing in to stop those quick singles.

Prem: The temperature in fact has now gone to 42 degrees, so it's a cauldron out there now. End of the 11t has the Kiwis on 40/1 and thanks to this spell by the two Kiwi medium fast men, completely adrift at a time when they should have been looking to make the most runs.

Prem: Fleming straight drives, hits hard into the ground, Vaas fields on the follow through, no run.

Prem: Bang on leg this time, Bell's turn to get hit on the pad, again a leg bye scrambled and this time, if Dharmasena had hit, Bell was about two feet out of his ground.

Prem: Slower ball, Fleming was down the track, didnt spot the change of pace till late, ends up pushing to mid on, single.

Prem: Vaas to continue, into his 6th over here, bowling to Fleming who is down the track, driving, but hard and straight to mid off, no run. Short cover, point, coverpoint, mid off wide, the field on the off side. That one cut in very sharply from off, Fleming beaten by the movemnent, hit on the pad in front of middle, no idea why that one was turned down, it seemed headed to make a mess of the timber.

Prem: Zoysa, last ball of the 10th, to Bell, yorker length on off and played to the on side, fielded by short midwicket, ends the 10th over.

Prem: Bell beaten all ends up with one on middle that holds its line, Bell tries to whip it round and is beaten for both pace and bounce

Prem: Fleming on strike to Zoysa, the Kiwis going at 3.6 per over, down the track and hits it hard, back at the bwoler who reacts fast, gets a hand to it, takes the sting off and ensures there is only one run.

Prem: Bell, just into his second ODI in his career, not quite able to break loose, very slow innings given the requirement of the first 15 -- here, pushing to mid on and running with the shot, gets one more.

Prem: Fleming on strike to Zoysa and again, beaten on the push this time on the off, gets a leg bye though as the ball drops at his feet. These two have judged the close single very well, so far.

Prem: Zoysa to continue, bowling to Fleming, on off, the attempted punch not quite coming off, inner edge to midwicket, no run.

Prem: Vaas to Bell, on off, cutting in, played to cover, no run, 33/1 in 9 the Kiwis.

Prem: Slower ball, short, on middle, Bell spots the length but not the change of pace, misses on the pull, but they scramble a leg bye anyway as Kalu dives, fields and throws down, but fractionally late. Vaas again, to Fleming this time, pushed to mid on and running with the shot gets one more.

Prem: Ball three, Vaas, 9th over, misses his run up and has to start back over. Showing no signs of the back injury that kept him out, though, bowling as well as he ever has. Bell down the track, Vaas goes wide, Bell lashes at it anyway and Ranatunga rounds off a good cricket moment with a diving stop at cover point. No run.

Prem: Vaas, ball two, on off and cutting in this time, Bell cramped on the push, finds cover. No run

Prem: Vaas being continued with, though it is a good 40 degrees out there, and he seems to not even feel the heat, that first ball was a beaut, slanted to off, then moved just enough to square the batsman up and beat the edge.

Prem: Last ball of the 8th, Zoysa to Bell, the batsman down the track this time, covering the slant ofthe ball and playing off his pads through square leg, but just the one. 31/1 in 8.

Prem: 7.5, Zoysa to Bell, slower ball this time on middle and off and this time, the push finds cover, no run.

Prem: 7.4, Zoysa to Bell, again a very good line, pitching middle, three quarter length, climbing on the batsman and he can only push to point, no run.

Prem: Bell pushes to point, this one on off, but finds the fielder, no run, Kiwis 30/1 in 7.3.

Prem: Wide this time, down leg side, called, one more to the Kiwis.

Prem: Both bowlers changing pace very well here, alternating the faster with the slower balls. Outside off here, and Fleming slashes through cover, but overhits, gets just one to the sweeper.

Prem: Zoysa to continue, to Fleming and again, gets him on the pad but this one is outside off, no damage.

Prem: Vaas, last ball of the 7th, to Bell, sloer ball on yorker length, middle and off, Bell defends, just one in the over.

Prem: Vaas now to Bell, two balls left in the 7th, Bell turns it round from leg stump but finds the fielder. No run

Prem: Ball three is bowled well within himself, change of pace and again, Fleming spots it late, has time only to push defensively. This is good work from the SL bowler. Ball four, Fleming tentatively forward, gets bottom of bat on a slower ball, to mid on and runs with the shot to get the one.

Prem: And again, ball two, beats the batsman for pace on middle and leg -- quicker through the air and Fleming unable to guage the sudden increase in pace. Misses, rapped on the pad.

Prem: Vaas continues and spears that one in faster and thuds into the pads of Fleming, beaten for pace here, bat awfully late coming down, but that ball was probably dooing enough off the seam to miss leg.

Prem: Zoysa, short this time and punished, Bell picking the length very fast, swinging it round and beating the boundary rider at square leg, four to end the over.

Prem: Nice steady work from both SL openin bowlers, thhis one is on off to Bell and played back down the track.

Prem: This one comes in with the arm, pitches off and raps the pad in front of leg, no damage. Ball three, on off and punched off the front foot square through point, single. 23/1.

Prem: Zoysa continues, over the wicket to Fleming, outside off holding its line and Fleming lets it go.

Prem: End of 5, Nz 22/1 and a good comeback by Vaas after getting hit for four in the first ball.

Prem: Vaas to Bell, two left in the 5th, lovely line again, off and cutting in, cramps the batsman, no run.

Prem: Vaas to Bell, down the leg side this time and called, 22/1.

Prem: 111 wickets and an economy rate of 4.05 is very very good for a fast bowler. Bell plays defensively, looks for the single, Vaas lightning fast down the track and Bellhas to dive to regain his crease.

Prem: Vaas now to Bell, staying over the wicket, pitches middle and seams it in to the pads, played square on the on, no run,

Prem: Vaas to Fleming, again on off, this one punhced straight, single to mid on running round.

Prem: Vaas now to Fleming, over the wicket and on off, gentle push but beautifully timed, through mid on, beats the fielder on the chase, that was well timed and place, four for it. 20/1/

Prem: Good ball, on off, pushed in front and Bell very quick to call and run, there were five SL fielders in range but the batsmen made the run anyway. 16/1 in 4 Kiwis

Prem: Left-right combo now, with Fleming at the wicket, but Astle is a big loss, the guy can be dangerous if he hangs in there for a bit. Fleming on strike and Zoysa now goes back to over the wicket to the left hander.

Prem: Zoysa to Astle and there goes the wicekt, that was outside off, AStle gave it all he had, ball lightning fast to point, Jayasuriya juggles and holds a good one, Astle gone for 10 off 9. And the change of line working for Zoysa, less room for the batsman to hit through the line.

Prem: Zoysa again, this one from wide of the crease into off, cramping the batsman for room on the push, no run.

Prem: Zoysa now round the wicket but a bad line again, pitches leg and takes off, so does Kallu, flying way to his left to pull that down or there went four wides. As it is, one wide.

Prem: That was a bad ball -- short, on off, and Astle off the front foot punches through cover, lovely drive, four for it all the way, 14/0 Kiwis.

Prem: Ball two is on off, played to point, Astle off like a rabbit, bit of hesitation from Bell, if Jayasuriya had hit, that couldhave been close but as it is, a risky single.

Prem: Zoysa to continue. Taller than Vaas, runs in slower, but quite pacy with his high arm action and easy release, angles the first outside off and Bell lets it go.

Prem: Vaas, last ball of the 3rd and Bell opens the bat face, runs it down behind point, single, 9/0

Prem: Vaas to Bell, now, on middle and turned square on the on, no run, to short square leg

Prem: Ball three, on off and played straight to cover. No run. Ball four of the 3rd, Vaas to Astle, on leg angling to middle, Astle gently pushes to midw cietk, good call by Bell makes the single possible.

Prem: Vaas to Astle, outside off, bad line and too much width, Astle blazes it over cover, free swing of the arms, four for that and Astle, like Bell, on the 2-leg guard, getting room to hit. Ball two, on off seaming away and beats the bat outside the line of the stumps.

ZOYSA IS GROWING RAPIDLY IN STATURE Bob Prem: Zoysa to Bell, who now asks for the 2-leg guard, which means he is looking to hit through off with more arm room. Zoysa pitches middle, Bell cover drives, straight to the fielder. Another plus for SL is they are a very very good fielding side. Last ball, on leg seaming to middle, raps Bell on the pads but that pitched outsdie leg, no damage. 3/0

Prem: Bell on strike to Zoysa, bang on off and pushed defensively, good start so far by the Lankans but it's early days yet -- the Kiwis will want the maximum possible in the first 15. Zoysa again, on off seaming away. Left alone.

Prem: Ball two, delivered off a nice easy run up and high arm delivery, on leg and Astle turns to leg, gets one. 3/0.

Prem: Zoysa, after a long spell of injury, now back in partnership with Vaas. Another left arm fast bowler, in the VAas mould and he begins with one slanting in to middle, pushed forward by Astle.

Prem: Vaas to Bell, on middle and again, straightening up after coming in at the slant to the right hander. Very nice line this, Vaas with his experience knows exactly what to do in the beginning overs. Very difficult to get away. Ball six, bang on target and again forces the defensive push. No run,

Prem: Willey and Shepherd the umpires, this is a good ball from Vaas, slanting in, landing on off and straightening, forces the defensive push.

Prem: Vaas, ball two, on middle and Bell leans forward, tucks itsquare on the on and gets two.

Prem: Martin Crowe in the expert's chair says that he has a good feeling about the Kiwis today. That going in with nothing to lose, they might bat out of their skins here. Meanwhile, it is Vaas to begin, bowling to Bell and beating him straight up with one outside off.

Prem: Chandara, Dharmasena, Vaas, Murali, Zoysa with Aravinda and Jayasuriya in support make for a lot of bowlin options, for the World Cup holders.

Prem: Arjuna Ranatunga, flying in the face of perceived wisdom, won the toss and decided he would field first. Says that the Lankans love chasing and he sees nothing to change that here.

Prem: The temperature, mid pitch, is 40 degrees Celsius. At this rate, you may not need the 'bowl out' at all in this tournament, but dehydration could become a factor.

Prem: Hot and humid day again -- way this is going, the sun will bake the pitches harder and harder. Slight grass on this pitch, but not enough to make fast bowlers salivate.

Prem: Full house at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, in fact it's been that way all along, all three games so far are house full, the interest levels are incredible.

Prem: Sri Lanka with Vaas back in the side look to have a good attack this time, actually -- and they've been there, done that, often enough before. What could go against them, if they don't watch out, is overconfidence.

Sure Lanka is the favorite, but look for an upset. Astle the man this time.. SriLanka have a pathetic bowling attack, but they still manage to win. Have a cloud of luck along with their aggressive ways going for them. But maybe it is coming to an end. Beginning now. It is a SIN. Jim Morrison Prem: Good morning, all, we will be live with Sri Lanka versus New Zealand in 25 minutes from now, stay tuned.

Prem: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

Continued