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Prem -> G'day all, the featured game today is Sri Lanka versus New Zealand, at Goodyear Park, formerly Springbok Park, in Bloemfontein. Prem -> We'll pick up action with the Black Caps on the park and Darryl Tuffey with the ball, wiith Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu taking first strike and Sanath Jayasuriya biding his time. Prem -> SL have had somewhat the better of NZ in recent times -- since 2001, it is 5 wins to SL and 3 to NZ. Tuffey, bowling with two slips, goes wide of off and right up, gets the ball swinging away from the right hander. Prem -> If the Lankans put runs on the board, Fleming's decision to field after winning the toss could backfire -- he heads an underconfident batting lineup, a chase of any magnitude with Murali fully fit and bowling could be dodgy. Fleming apparently was looking at using early morning moisture to effect an early breakthrough or two. Tuffey keeping the ball fullish, to Atapattu, who typically is content to play watchfully, off the back foot, and as late as possible. He will anchor while Jayasuriya blazes away -- that has pretty much been the gameplan ever since Kaluwitharana's partnership with Jayasuriya was broken. NO run yet in four deliveries but ball five is down legg and a neat glide, and superb running by Atapattu to the danger end, makes that a two. Prem -> 2/0 SL, one ball left in the Tuffey over, atapattu facing and on the back foot, defending, to a delivery on off, lifting with no sign of movement. Ends the first over, SL 2/0, both runs to Atapattu. Prem -> Lanka have played four games on this ground, lost two and won one, with one game ending in a no result. NZ have had just one game here, a no result fixture. Interestingly, SL here in 1998 were shot out for 105 by SA -- but the highest score on this ground, dating back to 1994, is 140 by Jayasuriya against, who else, NZ! Prem -> Shane Bond bowling the second over, two slips behind the batsman, a widish gully as well given the batsman's penchant for slashing. Bond, on off, squares SJ up, finds the edge with a full length ball moving late, the ball goes to ground and between second slip and gully, single to third man, 3/0. Prem -> that was a beauty -- shortish, seamed in late, cut atapattu in half as it jagged back, went between bat and body to the keeper, bit of an appeal for caught behind but that went off body not bat. 3/0 Prem -> that was a beauty -- shortish, seamed in late, cut atapattu in half as it jagged back, went between bat and body to the keeper, bit of an appeal for caught behind but that went off body not bat. 3/0 Prem -> another short ball, rising into the ribs and atapattu looks uncomfortable, took his eye off that and got it high on the body as he tried evasive action. The problem really is the movement in with the seam, which when coupled with this kind of pace creates problems Prem -> the last ball from bond, huge appeal again, this one for lbw but not a hope. that landed off, cut in sharply and hit atapattu on the front pad between middle and leg, bucknor thinks that would have missed leg, and he is right. 3/0 after 2, SL. Prem -> tuffey bowling the first time today tto jayasuriya, fullish, cutting in, jaya was looking to push, a thick inner edge takes the ball across the stumps and out to backward square, single, 4/0 sl Prem -> atapattu looks ill at ease out there. came forward to the second ball, bad judvgement since it was shortish in length, found himself out of position and almost fell over as he tried to defend to a delivery cutting in sharply off the seam. tuffey again, this one is a bad ball, full on middle and atapattu plays it out to midwicket, two for it, 6/0 in the third over. Prem -> bit of a collision there between bowler and batsman, but that was inadvertent. next ball, the third, a no ball, atapattu plays it out from line of leg to short fine leg, gets a single, sl 8/0. Prem -> tuffey, early into the proceedings, trying a bit too much, really -- he's been bowling several lengths and lines instead of sticking to his best. full this time, fourth ball, on off and jaya forward, pushing, between the stumps and mid off, three before it can be recovered, 11/0 lanka. a leg bye next up as tuffey drifts to leg and atapattu misses with a flick. Prem -> 12/0 lanka, one ball left in the over, tuffey looking different from the metronomically accurate bowler india saw recently. that last ball is full, on middle, a gimme for jaya who flicks off his pads, long chase there for midwicket standing wide, three for the shot and lanka after 3 overs, 15/0. Prem -> bond has to be the key for the kiwis -- three slips and a gully in place as he bowls to jaya, but this is full on leg, played out on th on side but no run with midwicket standing square and close. 15/0, kiwis packing the off side line so the ball straying to leg can cause problems. 4th over, bond in to jayasuriya, short on off, and pushed off the back foot, to point, no run. Prem -> bond, again to jaya. 4th over in progress. kiwis packing off with seven fielders against two on the leg. bond pitches middle, jaya plays it off his pads, again finds midwicket who, by now, has moved to a very square, and up close, square leg. no run. jaya batting 8, atapattu batting 5. Prem -> bond outside off, jaya pushes square, fumble at point gives them one, a bad throw makes it worse as the fielder tries a shy at the bowler's end, in the event, they end up running four. 19/0. harris the fielder who fumbled initially, then the point fielder came up with the shy after seeing jaya a bit short, a comedy of errors really and not something you expect from the kiwis. 4th over, 19/0. Prem -> bond, last ball of his second over, to jaya, back of length on middle, no ball called, jaya content to push back in front of him, 20/0. batting well within himself, the lankan skipper, bond bowling at around the 144 mark here, which is quick, but spoiling the effect by pitching a tad short. last ball, pushed out on the on side and in the v and before the square leg fielder can race across, jaya calls and races the single, 21/0 at the end of four overs SL and off to a solid start. Prem -> tuffey, to jaya. over number five, fullish around off and jaya pushes abck down the track, no run. interesting that jaya is not really looking to free his arms yet, content to play within himself here, no big backlift yet which is the first sign he ggives that he is thinking of hitting over the top. again, tuffey around off and back of length, jaya off the back foot plays it out on the on side, no run. Prem -> tuffey quicker this time, and fuller, takes jaya by surprise with some nip off the deck back in to the left hander, jaya has tto take the bottom hand off, manages to ride the bounce and keep it out of the stumps. ball four, again full but on the middle, jaya shuts his bat face, plays it out on the on, gets the single, 22/0. Prem -> tuffey in again, to atapattu this time, batting 5, that one was just short of the full length, good line just around off, hits the batsman on the back pad, atapattu late bringing his bat down, but the ball was hitting above the knee role and climbing, no point appealing. last ball is on middle and atapattu plays it out to square leg, they take the single, 22/0 in 5 and that is a good start for the lankans, inserted by fleming after he had won the toss. Prem -> and there goes the wicket. bond, sixth over, first ball, atapattu, who kept strike with a single off the last ball of the 5th over, walks back to a superb take by scott styris. bond bowled a bit short, made it climb, atapattu tried to flick it off his waist, the greater bounce meant he got the ball just high enough on the bat to keep it in the air for a bit and styris dived headlong, and clung on at full stretch. 22/1 now, lanka, and the veteran hashan tillekeratne, a key element of the 1996 Cup winning squad, is on the card as batting next. Prem -> 23/1 lanka in the 6th over, two left handers now batting, three slips for bond bowling to tillekerattne, short nad lifting around off, the batsman nicely behind it and playing it down on the off side. Prem -> bond, again short, angling further across the left hander and leaving him on the climb, tillekeratne watches it through. very composed batsman, hashan, plenty of experience and rarely flustered. bond, over number 6, again short, lifting, and tillekeratne sways out of line, dropping his wrists to take the ball out of line. Prem -> full length the fourth ball, on leg, tillekeratne attempting to flick, misses, but off the pad, ball to fine leg for four, 27/1 lanka. that is already 7 extras in the innings, and now bond tries a yorker, swingg in the air but the line was outside off and tillekeratne beaten, but no danger. ends the over, 27/1. Prem -> 14 off 16 jaya, and on strike after spending a cooling period at the other end. tuffey to bowl, outside off and shortish, jaya on the back foot and what looks like a gentle push has enough legs to beat the cordon and run away to the cover boundary for four. 31/1 sl. that was more timing than powr, jaya now 18 off 17 balls and motoring. tuffey again, outside off, jaya seems to have pulled out of a cut, the bowler and the keeper do a little dramatic number with an appeal that convinced no one. good ball that, but jaya's cut was played after the ball was a foot past the bat Prem -> tuffey fuller in length around off, and jaya forward, pushes defensively, into the 7th over here and lanka 31/1. Prem -> tuffey, fullish on leg and middle, jaya trying to flick, misses, another appeal, this one for lbw, again not a hope, that ball hit the deck just aorund leg and was straightening, looking to go down leg and over the stumps for height.31/1 the score. Prem -> tuffey in this over not looking to try too much, sticking to the length just back of good, and more often than not on off and middle. end of the over, 7 gone, 31/1 sl after being inserted by fleming, who called right when the specially made gold coin went up Prem -> bond to continue, hashan tillekeratne on strike. full, quick, on middle and off, the batsman behind the line, defending in front of his body. 8th over in progress, three slips, gully, point, cover, mid off on the off. bond again, this time on leg and middle and hashan pushes out on the on, fielded at square leg standing right up, no run Prem -> the problem for the kiwis is that if they dont strike hard in the first 15, take out a couple more, they could hand the game to the likes of d'silva, sangakaaraa, jayawardene and arnold -- and a total of around 270 on tthis park will be a heck of a target to hunt. single, meanwhile, as hashan pushes one out on the on side from line of middle, 32/1. Prem -> bond, quick and full, but down the leg side and wide calls, 33/1 and that is the 8th extra in the innings, we are into the 8th over here. bond again, to jaya, shortish around off and climbing, jaya content to go on the back foot and play it down on the off side. Prem -> bond, to jaya. shortish, outside off, cut away superbly but a magnificient stop by harris at point, no run, that had enough to make the boundary, the kiwis after some early fumbles steadying now in the field and looking as incisive as they are wont to do. Prem -> 33/1, 8 overs gone, tuffey to continue, 4-0-20-0 the analysis thus far, tillekeratne on strike. bad ball first up, short, wide of off, the batsman chases it and cuts behind point, two for it before third man can run around and clean up. 35/1. Prem -> tuffey, ball two, to hashan tillekeratne, full and the batsman leans forward into a pushed drive, through cover, another brace for the batsman and lanka 37/1. Prem -> tuffey to tillekeratne, and this one is on leg stump, worked out on the on side, single, 38/1 and tuffey's problems continue. another bad ball. short, wide, angling across off, just right for jaya who rocks back and crashes the cut through the off cordon, four all the way, that ball was jam for the lankan skipper. 42/1. tuffey again, again wide of off and jaya plays the angle, steps onto the front foot and drives, over cover, superbly struck, four more. 46/1 Prem -> tuffey here finding out the hard way that there is a bit of a difference bowling on juiced up pitches and standard ones. this is not exactly a batting pitch, there is bounce and early life, but not enough apparently for him to work his magic with. last ball drifts to leg, and jaya works it off his hips, third man is very square, long chase there for him and three more to the batsman. Prem -> tuffey went for 16 in that over, his 5th, and now is 5-0-36-0. 49/1 in 9 overs kiwis, and fleming has problems. Prem -> bond, and more problems for the kiwis. shortish length and a bit wide, jaya loves those, climbs on top of it and square cuts fiercely through point, four more, 53/1 now and jaya on to 33. next ball is better, fuller in length and on leg and middle, forcing jaya to defend. Prem -> 5.68 the run rate, sl doing well here and bond in the 10th over, strays this time on leg side, jaya goes across the stumps, flicks off the pads square on the on, two more, goes to 35 and sl now racing along. already 6 in the over, after 16 in the previous over, 55/1 the score. 30 balls for his innings, jaya so far. short and lifting around off, next ball and jaya pats it down to point. Prem -> one slip now, and a gully, two other slips moving away. short and lifting again, on leg, and jaya behind the line, defends, gets it high on th4e handle, seems to have jarred his hand a bit, but ready to face again. again short, lifting, on off at around 145k, jaya plays out on the on, no run, 55/1 in 10 sl. Prem -> tuffey off, predictably enough, and jacob oram the right arm fast medium bowler, replacing him. ball one, on leg and tillekeratne pushes out on the on, backward of square, gets the run and ggives it back to jaya. 56/1. Prem -> 11th over, oram to jaya, one slip in place, short outside off and again, jaya cuts, climbing on his toes to ride the bounce, finds deep backward point, single, 34 off 31 the partnership and sl 57/1. Prem -> oram, to tillekeratne, on off and played forward to by the batsman. this kind of reminds you of the role asanka gurusintghe played, for lanka, in 1996 -- the guy who would hold one end up while jaya fired at the other. oram, short, outside off, tillekeratne cuts, but finds point, 57/1 in 10.5 Prem -> oram to tillekeratne and again short, the batsman quickly onto the back foot and onto his toes, cuts, perfectly in control, the man sweeping on the line gets to it but two more to lanka and it is 58/1 at the end of 11. Prem -> 36 off 34 jayasuriya and bond, into his 6th over, to the lankan skipper. shoft lifting close to off, good line but jaya now seems well set, swayed off line late and let it go. 59/1. Prem -> 12th over, fullish delivery on middle and leg, and jaya drives on the on, nicely controlled shot, gets him two more, 63/1 the score. bond responds with an inswinging yorker, jaya brings his bat down in time, defends, no run, 40 off 38 the partnership, lanak 63/1. Prem -> bond, to jaya, on leg this time and pushed out on the on, single to jaya, 64/1. Prem -> bond is bowling quick here, that last was around 146.5k, and the length was good, full, on off, but jaya handles it with ease. the trial by fire in South Africa and Aus over the last few months would have exorcised any worries about facing sheer pace, and lanka 64/1 now at 5.33 with jaya 40 off 38, on strike to oram, defensive to a ball on off and on length. Prem -> no slip now, you've got a gully, point, backward point, trying to block jaya but not much use when oram bowls the second ball short on middle, at his pace, that is meat and drink, jaya rocks back and pulls in the air, hits it clean, four to the midwicket region and now the kiwis are beginning to feel the heat, 68/1 the score with jaya on 44 and with tuffey hit out of the attack and bond having bowled 6, the kiwis with an all seam attack are apt to struggle. Prem -> oram, to jaya, on leg and turned around but bond is up at short fine leg, no run. 45 off 45 the partnership, 68/1 the score, tillekeratnne batting 9. oram, again to leg and jaya this time gets his songle out on the on side, that is a leg bye acually and lanka 69/1 in 12.5. Prem -> oram, last ball of the 13th, to tillekeratne, short and wide of off, punched out on the off but fielded, no run, 69/1 in 13. Prem -> oram, last ball of the 13th, to tillekeratne, short and wide of off, punched out on the off but fielded, no run, 69/1 in 13. Prem -> oram, last ball of the 13th, to tillekeratne, short and wide of off, punched out on the off but fielded, no run, 69/1 in 13. Prem -> 44 off 43 jaya, 9 off 20 tillekeratne, d'silva to come in next, that is a pretty formidable position to be in. bond off, after six overs, and andre adams takes over, another right medium bowler. 69/1 the score, 14th over coming up, ball one is short, wide of off and jaya moves sideways, into line, and bang, four through the point region. they are feeding him quite nicely, the kiwis, and jaya is not complaining. 50 off 48 the partnership, and again adams short, outside off, this time jaya goes tall on his toes and clubs over -oint, four more, 52 to him off 45 balls with 9 fours at 115.6 in the 14th over, two successive fours to bring up the half century. and another celebration, as adams bowls outside off, wide, fuller, so this time, he blazes a drive, again through the point cover gap, four more, that is three fours to greet andre adams. Prem -> 44 off 43 jaya, 9 off 20 tillekeratne, d'silva to come in next, that is a pretty formidable position to be in. bond off, after six overs, and andre adams takes over, another right medium bowler. 69/1 the score, 14th over coming up, ball one is short, wide of off and jaya moves sideways, into line, and bang, four through the point region. they are feeding him quite nicely, the kiwis, and jaya is not complaining. 50 off 48 the partnership, and again adams short, outside off, this time jaya goes tall on his toes and clubs over -oint, four more, 52 to him off 45 balls with 9 fours at 115.6 in the 14th over, two successive fours to bring up the half century. and another celebration, as adams bowls outside off, wide, fuller, so this time, he blazes a drive, again through the point cover gap, four more, that is three fours to greet andre adams. Prem -> 81/1 lanka in the 14th over and jaya quickly on to 56, fuller this time and jaya cuts but finds backward point. no run. jaya has been scoring both sides here, 41 per cent on the leg side, the rest on off, it also indicates that the kiwis are not bowling to any one gameplan against him. rather surprising really, because jaya's strengths and weaknesses are no secret. end of 14 overs, lanka 81/1. Prem -> 56 off 49 jaya and doing all the batting for two, tillekeratne not getting much strike, 9 off 20 and oram continues, pitches one up, tillekeratne forward and driving, single to mid off, that is cairns, and jaya back on strike, 82/1 lanka. Prem -> oram, to jayasuriya, ball two, and short on off, lifting, jaya pushes out on the off, thinks of a single but sent back. 59 off 55 the partnership here. and fleming, having sent lanka in after winning the toss, facing a rather grim prospect of having jaya bat that decision back in his face. Prem -> oram tto jayasuriya, 15th over, fullish on off and jaya pushes but mid off is quickly across to cut it off behind the bowler's back. no run, good over this from oram, just one so far. next ball, short, jaya pulls, but it didnd't climb enough to permit the batsman to go over the top, controlled shot fetches one. 83/1. 5.6 the run rate. oram, last ball, to tillekeratne, slower ball on leg and the batsman defends. 83/1 in 15, and with that, the field can spread out now. Prem -> andre adams, to jayasuriya who greeted him last over with three fours on the trot. first ball, angled across and full, jaya onto the front foot having a wild drive at it, lucky not to touch Prem -> slower ball, and jaya content to drive gently out on the off. batting 57 and on the back foot to ball three, forcing it out on the off but finding point, no run. Prem -> arjuna ranatunga, who knows jaya like no one else does, has an interesting point -- he says there is no point setting 7 on the off and hoping jaya will oblige with a slash; the best way, he suggests, is to bowl fullish just around off and bring him forward driving, early on in his innings. meanwhile, 5 dot balls so far, the sixthh kicked off length and jaya doing well to sway away and pat it on its head as it went past, nice cut, two for it to third man. Prem -> drinks on the field, quick breather for me, 85/1 in 16 th score, be right back Prem -> back after drinks with tillekeratne on strike. jaya meanwhile doing his usual number at 59 off 59 with 10 fours. short outside off the second ball, tillekeratne cuts, in the air but wide of fleming at a slightly backward gully, single. oram the bowler, 86/1 lanka, oram 11 so far in three overs and a bit Prem -> oram, to jaya, makes that climb off length around off and jaya after first shaping to drive, lets it through. Prem -> oram used his height well, there, this time fuller, that was the fifth ourth ball, bowling at around 134, jaya defends to the flll length, no run. Prem -> oram again, last ball of the 17th, short outside off, jaya controls it down to third man and gets the single, 87/1. this should see a period of consolidation, with the field now spread and medium pacers operating. sri lanka have depth and the fact that only one wicket has fallen puts them on a very good base. adams, meanwhile, to contiune, short and outside off, cut away by jaya, single to the sweeper, 88/1. Prem -> adams, now with the fieldwell spread. oram seems to want his third man moving finer, bowls short, the ball climbs outside off, tillekeratne rides the bounce and cuts, to third man, single, 89/1 in 17.2. Prem -> adams, too full that time, and jaya onto the front foot in a flash, puts the kitchen sink into the drive, mcmillan sweeping ran around well, but couldn't beat the pace on that shot even with that last despairing dive. four more, jaya 65 and lanka 93/1. another short ball, jaya cuts, in the air for a long long time, that was a chance but oram misjudges very badly, runs in, realises the shot is hit higher than he thought, ran back, lost it completely and that is four more. 97/1 and 10 in the over, jaya now defends to the 5th ball of the 18th. Prem -> adams, too full that time, and jaya onto the front foot in a flash, puts the kitchen sink into the drive, mcmillan sweeping ran around well, but couldn't beat the pace on that shot even with that last despairing dive. four more, jaya 65 and lanka 93/1. another short ball, jaya cuts, in the air for a long long time, that was a chance but oram misjudges very badly, runs in, realises the shot is hit higher than he thought, ran back, lost it completely and that is four more. 97/1 and 10 in the over, jaya now defends to the 5th ball of the 18th. Prem -> adams, last ball, short and rising and jaya sways away from the line, no run. biding his time, the lankan skipper, and he's put away anything in his two, three favorite spots -- short and wide of off, full and just outside off, full and on middle. Prem -> oram, after that lapse, now has to try and do something with the ball. fullish length there on off and tillekeratne defends. Prem -> field now well spread, oram bowling 4.1-0-12-0, lanka going at 5.34 rpo, beats tilleratne with a beauty there, fullish in length, seaming late, drawing the batsman forward and passing the edge. and again, this one even fuller, less movement but quicker and tillekeratne late bringing his bat down, lucky the ball passed off by about a half inch. Prem -> another full length ball, this one tillekeratne drives, but not really on top of it, head behind the ball and the bat shutting too early, finds mid on, no run Prem -> ouch, short, wide of off, tillekeratne cuts, long chse there and by the time the relay throw gets in, that is three more and lanka, 100/1, that is a great platform now in place for the batting side, having been inserted after fleming won the toss. Prem -> end of the 19th over, 100/1 lanka, now looking good to put a total of around the 270 mark on the board. which, if they can do it, will almost win them the game on these conditions -- given a disciplined bowling effort especially in the first 15 overs. jaya meanwhile still going at 100 per cent, 69 off 69. itt is adams, to tillekeratne, down the leg side and the batsman does enough to touch it past the keeper down to fine leg, four more, 104/1. Prem -> adams, outside off this time, adams needs to make his mind up where he wants to be. tillekeratne cuts and misses, that was a lucky let off for the bowler, that ball should have travelled. adams again, short, on off this tie and tillekeratne guides down to third man, single, 105/1 and lanka going at 5.38 here Prem -> adams now to jaya, on off, pushed out into the covers and a very quick run taken there, calling and response both quick and unhestitating. 70, jaya, and lanka 106/1. Prem -> shot, thgat was a short ball, adams, outside off and tillekeratne on his toes, controlling a cut, just one, but that wa a lovely shot, perfect execution of the cut to a climbing ball. 107/1. 20 overs gone. Prem -> oram continues, 5 overs and 15 runs so far, bowling within himself and just putting it there or threabouts. still a packed off field, what has gone against the kiwis is that their bowlers have bowled both sides of the wicket. tillekeratne, to ball two, pushes out on the on and works the single. 85 off 91 the partnership now, 108/1. Prem -> oram, to jaya, shortish around off, jaya onto the back foot, pushes the single deep into the point region, 109/1. Prem -> oram in new zealand to the indians was bowling in odis with four slips. that kind of track was hardly preparation for playing in south africa, and like with the other bowlers on view thus far, the seductive quality of that home series now showing in their performance. and that is interesting, that ball was short, but kept about knee high outside off, first sign of uneven movement on the day, wonder whether that is an exception of whether it will continue. if it does, murali will be lethal. 109/1 in 21 lanka Prem -> another change. adams is off, harris is on with his dibbly dobbly stuff, jaya forces the first one out on the on, singgle. 110/1. Prem -> shot!!! harris again with the slow delivery on off and tillekeratne forward as harris delivered, huge wind up, picked it up around off and powered it wide of long on, four. next ball, tillekeratne tries to work off his pads, ball too slow, hits the thigh well after the shot was finished. another single to the next ball, 115/1 nw and jaya back on strike, harris right arrm, around the wicket. jaya plays to cover, no run Prem -> last ball of the over, jaya forward, shuts the bat face, plays out to deep midwicket, single to end the over. Prem -> oram continues. jaya pushes, shoft cover fields, 116/1 the score, jaya batting 73. Prem -> oram with a packed off field, bowling within himself here, ball two of the 23rd, a bit short and jaya controls a pull, gets the singgle to backward square, one more. 117/1 and oram now to tillekeratne, nice cut but superb stop by harris at point, that was travelling when he raced across and lunged to stop. Prem -> oram to tillekeratne, on leg this time and tucked down for the single. this is the problem, when you bowl both sides of the wicket, you can't really come up with a dot ball sequence and allow pressure to build. 23rd over, and jaya back on strike, facing oram, ball five and jaya, to a ball on full length outsiee off, plays the percentatves perfectly. went forward, hit through the line, over the bowler's head, outfield here is slow, it stops after pitching, jaya thought that was four and didnt push for the runs, ends up with just two. next ball, cut down to point, well fielded but tillekeratne calls well and races to the danger end, gets the run comfortably. 121/1 the score at the end of the over. Prem -> harris, to jayasuriya, around off and jaya cuts it out to point, no run. 24th over in progress, harris again and jaya tucks it out on th on off the front foot, there was a man right back on the line there, jaya controlled the shot, played it soft, before the fielder can run in, they race two. superb running, 100 now for the partnership off 109 balls, 123/1 the score. Prem -> harris keeping the ball as slow as he can and jaya not unduly worried, just pushing the balll out on the off, angles one away to long off, keeping it wide of short cover, makes the single possible, 124/1. Prem -> harris, outside off and tillekeratne cuts, man sweeping is deep, two more to end the over. tillekeratne, earlier, just held his end up, but now that the field is spread, he is looking to take the pressur off jaya by doing his share of the scoring. this, meanwhile, is a record second wicket partnership for lanka for the second wicket, 24 oves, gone, 126/1 the score, styris now into the attack and jaya on drives, but finds the fielder. Prem -> two slow or slow medium bowlers together now, with harris and styris, be interesting to see how they fare. jaya batting 80. that second ball wa around 116k, jaya cuts too early, misses. Prem -> styris, on off and jaya angles it away through point, single, 81 to him, tillekeratne on 30 back on strike. lanka revived the career of the left handed tillekeratne after spotting a bit of a brittleness in the middle order, and it seems to be working. hashan did well in aus and is looking good again, here. drives, finds mid on, no run. 127/1 the score. 5.11 the run rate at the moment, which is good for the middle phase Prem -> that was a good ball -- very full and jumping up off length, jaya almost touched through to the keeper sttanding up. no damage, ends the over Prem -> half the innings gone, 127/1 in 25 the score and harris, round the wicket, to jaya. worked off his pads out on the on, single to the first ball, 128/1 Prem -> harris now to hashan, slow ball on off, touched to poit and a quick single taken, the lankans really putting pressure on the kiwi fielding,m they are all in the circle but the lankans are playing to the fielders and still running the single, Prem -> 129/1 and now jaya drives, out on the off side, single to long off and lanka 130/1. Prem -> harris to tillekeratne, a hard drive back down the track and a good stop by harris on the follow through. Prem -> harris, a touch short and tillekeratne quickly onto the back foot, waits, and powers the pull to long on, wide of the fielder, and enough on it to find the boundary. 26 overs gone, 134/1. Prem -> styris continuing and bowling well, just focussing on line and length. jaya forward, drives, hits hard, threatens the run, the fielder shies and hits the stumps and they run for the richochet. 135/1. fleming himself the fielder on that occasion, and a touch of frustration evident in the kiwis now. on off, another gentle tap out on the off, jaya called and went, harris went for the non striker's end, but the batsman just makes his ground and the throw turned out to be wide anyway. 136/1, and now jaya tucks one on the on side, sees the fielder there is back on the line, plays it soft and races two. this really is beautiful work by the lankans, between the wickets to one of the best fielding sides in the competitoin. 138/1 Prem -> styris continuing and bowling well, just focussing on line and length. jaya forward, drives, hits hard, threatens the run, the fielder shies and hits the stumps and they run for the richochet. 135/1. fleming himself the fielder on that occasion, and a touch of frustration evident in the kiwis now. on off, another gentle tap out on the off, jaya called and went, harris went for the non striker's end, but the batsman just makes his ground and the throw turned out to be wide anyway. 136/1, and now jaya tucks one on the on side, sees the fielder there is back on the line, plays it soft and races two. this really is beautiful work by the lankans, between the wickets to one of the best fielding sides in the competitoin. 138/1 Prem -> that was close. styris outside off, an attempt by the batsman to run it down to third man, jaya, gets the thick edge but the keeper up too close, and unable to control the catch, lets it go. single to the next ball, on the on side, and lanka 29 overs gone, 139/1. Prem -> harris to continue, and jaya drives the second ball out on the on and races one, wants another, tillekeratne stumbles, the run is turned down. 140/1. Prem -> harris to tillekeratne, nicely controlled cut, and one more. 141/1. Prem -> harris to jaya, driven to the man out deep at mid off, single. 142/1, the lankans milking harris here, three singles on the trot off four balls, ball four driven, in the air but wide of harris, back down the track and two to the long off fielder running around. 144/1. Prem -> harris, right arm round the wicket and tillekeratne again plays clverly, onto the front foot, takes it from off, lifts over the top to wide long on, two more to end the over. 146/1 in 28 overs, 89 off 98 jaya, on strike to styris who is a bit pissed off that jaya is not ready to face. outside off and jaya cuts, gets the toeof bat on it and two more, 148/1 Prem -> the keeper, lou vincent, standing up is not such a good idea here, that is the second nick that is going past the keeper. again outside off, jaya throws the abt at it, misses, vincent also misses, two byes down to third man. 150 up, off 173 balls at 5.29. Prem -> 29th over in progress. if you go by the theory that you can double what you ahve at the thirty over mark if you have wickets in hand, lanka is looking good for a huge one. batting 91, jaya, but seems a bit unsure of styris' gentle pace and he does look a bit tired and/or unwell. struggling now for breath, next ball is tucked to the square leg region and ges the single. 151/1 and signalling for some water now. Prem -> styyris to tillekeratne, played out to cover, no run, end of the over, 151/1 in 29 lanka Prem -> water coming out for jaya, batting 92 off 103, alex kontouri out there checking on his captain's health, he's had a good year so far, two fifties and two 100s in five games and that could translate into 1 50 and three hundreds if jaya can get there in this game. bond being brought back, fleming nees the wicket so bad you can smell the need. wide, first ball, down leg, 152/1. Prem -> 129 the partnerhsip, 143 balls to get them, bond to jaya and another wide, that is two runs without a legit ball. 153/1. bond this time makes itt climb from off, jaya plays it down to wide gully, no run Prem -> jaya taking a lot of time to get ready after each ball, he really is struggling here. bond makes one rise into the batsman's ribs, jaya fends it down on the on and they take the run. 154/1. Prem -> bond to tillekeratne, fullish on off and middle and the batsman hits it back down the track. 30th over in progress, here. jaya batting 93. tillekeratne batting 41. 5.22 the run rate, the lankans havent allowed it to drop below five. tillekeratne whips the fourth ball off his pads, towards midwicket, two more. 156/1. Prem -> bond to tillkeratne, bouncer and the batsman sways away from the line, lets it go. 30th over, last ball coming up, lanka 156/1 at the end of the over, no run off the last ball Prem -> styris bowling the 31st, and tillkeratne after driving a brace on the on side, short arms the next ball out on the on and gets one more. 159/1, and jaya, batting 96, back on strike. drives, gets one, the score moves to 160/1. 137 runs off 153 balls the partnership Prem -> 31 overs gone, 161/1 sl and need to take two here, be right back Prem -> sorry about that, missed the century there, off 112 balls with 13 fours as lanka moves to 166/1. tillekeratne now on strike, works one to wide fine leg. 167/1 and tillekeratne 46, picking up commentary again here. Prem -> bond, to jaya, fullish on off and stroked out to mid off, no run. Prem -> 39 per cent of his runs on leg side, 61 per cent on off, 28 of those runs to point and 22 to the third man region, so this is a typical jaya innings. last ball, clipped off the pads to the vacant on side and jaya gets two more. he looks like he has gotten a second wind now, ran those two quite quickly without showing sign of the fatigure he seemd to be suffering from. 169/1. Prem -> styris with the 33rd over, tillekeratne swings hard, thick oiuter edge puts the ball in the air but over gully and short of third man, gets one. next ball, styris, on off, and jaya stands tall and clubs it out to wide long on, four more. picked it on the rise and hit up and over, great shot. 107 to him and 174/1 lanka. Prem -> styris again to jayasuriya, and again, onto the front foot and bang, this time in the air back past the bowler for four more, 178/1. 155 the partnership off just 164 balls, for the second wicket. styris, wide and this time, i;s called, he's been getting away with murder till date on this count. 179/1. Prem -> styris tto jaya, wide of off, driven, single to long off, 180/1. Prem -> 112 jaya, 47 tillekeratne and now on strike. on leg, slower ball, tillekeratne tries tow rok to leg but plays the shot too early. no run Prem -> styyris to tilleratne, outside off, he cuts, gets it off the bottom edge, through vincent to third man and four more, that is tillekeratne's 50 and he gets a hug from his captain. really played the gurusinghe-like role here, tillekeratne, ensured that jaya can bat without fear of less experienced, younger batsmen collapsiing at the other end. 184/1 the score after 33 and lanka running away with th game here. Prem -> andre adams after a disastrous first spell, gets a second chance here. 34th over. jaya on strike. short ball and jaya clubs it out on the on, gets two before the fielder can come in off the line. 186/1. Prem -> adams to jaya, shortish and jaya rocks back to shorten the length further, hits, again up and over, out to wide long on, two more, 188/1 and jaya once more struggling for breath. Prem -> adams to jaya, short outside off and this time, the aerial cut over ponit gets the lankan skipper one more, 189/1. 33.4 overs gone and now, jaya bending double after every shot and every run. tillekeratne has an airy drive to the next one, but can't get it off the middle. no run Prem -> qdams, and tillekeratne swings, finds midwicket, no run, drinks now coming onto the ground sot hat gives jaya a breather. 34 overs gone, 189/1 on the baord. Prem -> 117 off 121 to jayasuriya, and it is nathan astle now being triesd, jaya hits one down on the off, oram dives and stops. no run. 35th over in progress. astle bowling his tgentle bedium pacers here, and jaya goes across, plays a little jab out on the on and gets his single. 190/1. Prem -> astle again, to tilleratne this time, a slashing cut gets him one to backward point, 191/1. Prem -> next ball, fullish, jaya gets under it and chips it over the bowler's head, two more to jaya, 193/1. Prem -> astle again, and jaya looks to turn off his pads, misses, hit on the pad and the umpire this time, upholds the LBW appeal. 193/2 in 34.5 overs, jaya finally out and can go back to the hut and get the rest he needs after an eelctric 120 off 125, the wicket falling at 193/2, astle getting the breakthrough to a tired jaya in his first over. Prem -> astle again, and jaya looks to turn off his pads, misses, hit on the pad and the umpire this time, upholds the LBW appeal. 193/2 in 34.5 overs, jaya finally out and can go back to the hut and get the rest he needs after an eelctric 120 off 125, the wicket falling at 193/2, astle getting the breakthrough to a tired jaya in his first over. Prem -> the problem here could be that the kiwis have exchanged a tired jaya for a fresh aravinda -- orwill jayawardene come out ahead? Prem -> actually, it is jayawardne, so a right-left combo out there now, 35 overs gone and 193/2 lanka Prem -> actually, it is jayawardne, so a right-left combo out there now, 35 overs gone and 193/2 lanka Prem -> adams continues. tillekeratne pushes out on the off, gets one to point, 194/1. 36th over in progress Prem -> jayawardene on strike now, free flowing player but has most of his runs in lankan conditions. nice delayed cut there to a ball outside off, single to tthird man, 195/2 the score Prem -> adams, to tillekeratne, on off and played to point, harris, no run Prem -> adams, to tillekeratne, on off and played to point, harris, no run Prem -> adams, to tillekeratne, on off and played to point, harris, no run Prem -> adams, to tillekeratne, on off and played to point, harris, no run Prem -> adams, and tillekeratne to tthe fourth ball drives to mid off and runs with the shot, gets the single. running between wickets has been a feature of this innings. adams now to jayawardene and he's gone -- that kept low, was straight on the stumps, jayawardene looking to whip to leg, beaten by the low bounce, and trapped in front. 196/3 in 35.5 Prem -> aravinda d'silva, the new man in and adams bowling the last ball, ads drives, no run, ends the over, 36 gone and lanka with 14 more overs to go, will need to look for around 100 runs more. astle continues, tillkeratne drives, single to long off, takes him to 55, 197/3. Prem -> astle, with his wicket to wicket medium pace, in again and a deft whip by aravinda off his pads, single. 198/3. Prem -> this takes the clock back, really, aravinda and tillkeratne batting out there, hugely experienced pair. astle, to tilleraratne, played out to wide point, single. aravinda very cleverly moving across to off and making room to glance down to fine leg, gets one more. these two will now look at pushing the singles rapidly, 200/3 the score after 37 for lanka. Prem -> they can keep it ticking over till about 43, 44 overs, then go for broke. ads pulls adams, out to midwicket, one more, 201/3. Prem -> adams, to tillkeratne on leg, and flicked, single 202/3 Prem -> adams, to ads, pushed to mid on standing inside the circle, that is fleming himself, no run. tillkeratne 577, adams meanwhile drifts to leg and ads glances, four to fine leg, 206/3. this really is indiscipoined stuff from the kiwis, bowling both sides of the wicket. next ball is wide of off and ads plays a silken drive, beats the diving mid off and rolls over the line for four more. this guy can be deadly dangerous, and after his comeback he has been batting like the aravinda of 1996 vintage. lanka after 38, 210/3. astle continues and tillkeratne takes one ot point off the first ball Prem -> astle now to aravinda, field spread, keeper up, aravinda again easily forward, drives, beats cover, cut off by wide mid off, single, 212/3. Prem -> tillekratne driving, this time, to mid off, they are playing shots to every ball now, single, 213/3. ads back on strike, drives, misses this one as astle slows it down. Prem -> astle to aravinda, on off, a checked drive, trying to chip, but just mistimed enough for the ball to go to cover, styris holding one handed, high over his head. lanka with three wickets going in quick successing wasting that sstart somewhat, aravinda gone for 12. Prem -> sangakaara -- most famed for a demonstration of state of the art sledging against SA -- now to the wicket. astle bowling, and the batsman pushes, no run, 39 overs gone, 213/4. Prem -> 40th over adams, to tillekeratne, and pushed out on the on side, single, 214/4. Prem -> 40th over, ball two, sangakaara, another left hander, slower ball and he spots it and defends to line of leg and middle Prem -> adams to sangakaara, driven, but finds fleming at mid off, no run. 214/4. three balls left in the 40th. a pull attempted but again, that short ball was slower, and the batsman misses on the shot Prem -> adams to sangakaara, driven on the off but finds wide point, no run Prem -> 214/4, last ball of the 40th, short outside off and the batsman jumps in the air to play a tennis style shot square on the off, great save by bond on the line, just two for it. end of the 40th over, 216/4. Prem -> astle continues, tillkeratne on strike, pushes square from line of off, one more, moves to 60. sl 217/4. Prem -> astle now to sangakaara, gentle push finds short cover, kiwis trying to tighten things on the batsman have five inside the circle on the off, no room for singles. 217/4. Prem -> that was on off, sangakaara gets inside the line and edges it down to third man, gets two more, 219/4 in 40.4 Prem -> astle, and sangakaara pushes past point, good running and they are back for two more, 221/4. Prem -> astle, to sangakaara, last ball of the 41st, on off and agfain the push square, wide of sweeper point, two more to tne dhe over, 223/4 after 41. Prem -> 61 off 81 tillekeratne and now the onus on him to provide the propellant at the end of the innings. oram,m 7-0-22-0 in his first spell, returns to the attack, to tillkeretna, quick single first ball as he pushes short of point and scampers across. 224/4. Prem -> oram to sangakaara, driven to cover, the sweeper comes in off the line to tidy up, single, 225/4. 42nd over in progress, four balls to go Prem -> oram to tillkeratne, outside off, he tries to dab it down to third man, misses, no run Prem -> oram, and tillkeratne again looking to push a single butt not given any room, good work this from oram. the real option for the batsman is to look to get under the ball and hit straight, right now the focus seems to be on playing square, but with the field in, that is a zero percentage area. mid on and mid off are in, so lifting over the top could upset the rhythm of the bowlers here. oram, last ball of the 42nd, and still no run, as tillkeratne pushes on the on. 225/4 at the end of 42. Prem -> 62/86 tillkeratne, having a chat with sangakaara batting 9, 12 off 19 the partnership, astle to continue, off field still packed. driven wide of point by sangakaara, single, 226/4. Prem -> 2/19 in 4.1 astle, to tilleratne, wide of off and driven, wide of cover, cairns has a long chase, but the ball wins. superbly placed between sweeper cover and wide long off, both fielders converged but the ball split the difference. 230/4, and first boundary in quite a while. Prem -> 66 runs tillkeratne, on strike to astle, drives and again, out to wide cover, the sweeper has to come in, two more to the batsman, 232/4 the score Prem -> astle, to tillekeratne, last ball of the 43rd, driven and beats a diving wide cover, single out to the deep, 233/4 at thhe end of 43. Prem -> 69 ff 91 tillkeratne, on strike to orgam, short ball and pulled around, single to the deep fine leg, 234/4. Prem -> oram, to sangakaara, who is down the track, looking to go over the top, misses, that ball kept low and beat the shot. ball three, oram again, 44th over in progress, taken from off and whipped out on the on, single, 235/5. Prem -> oram, and tillkeratne on drives, finds the fielder, no run Prem -> oram to tillekeratne, a pull, almost missed as the ball didnt climb like the batsman thought it would, but he manages to get it away for one more, three in the over, one ball to go, oram to sangakaara, 236/4 the score, and a short ball on loeg, pulled, that is also a no ball, long chase for cairns, two more for that, 238/4 plus an extra ball now to be bowled Prem -> oram, last ball of the over, to sagakaara, played to point, no run, 239/4 in 44 Prem -> 71/94 tillkeratne, on strike, to the 45th over, the batsman has a heave, thick inner edge, soingle to the on side. 240/4. Prem -> and that is the wicket, sangakaara trying to get under the ball and go ov er the top, miscues, high catch to mid off, 240/5 now. in the 45th over. Prem -> the lankans making a bit of meal of these last few overs, losing wickets without really putting runs on the board at speed. russel arnold to come, followed by vaas, murali dilhara fernando et al -- and with just under five overs to go, they'll need to go for it while hashan rotates. Prem -> arnold, yet another left hander, and eases the ball fluently past cover, single, 241/5 Prem -> sorry, this is the 45th over, so five more to go after this one, arnold meanwhile driving on the off, cairns deep there, single, 242/5 after 45 sl Prem -> oram, and that is very well played, placed to the left of point by arnold, good running, two for it, 244/5 into the 46th over Prem -> oram, into his last over, short outside off and again, arnold cuts, well, long chase for bond, two more for arnold. 246/5 the score Prem -> oram, and arnold pushes, mid off is right up but this guy is lightning between wickets, ran with the shot and got the one easy, 247/5. Prem -> 46th over, oram to tillkeratne, played out on the on side and another quick single, styris shies at the stumps, would have had the wicket but couldn't hit direct, and now tillkeratne down on the ground, seemingly cramping up. lull in play Prem -> that's interesting, hashan now gets a runner, arnold is very fast, so th fresh legs might make a difference here. 46th over in progress, arnold on strike, oram for his last ball, has bowled well here. 36 in 9.5, make that 37 in 10 as arnold drives tto cover to end the 46th over on 249/5 Prem -> astle resumes. fleming keeping the faith with the slower bowlers here, though bond, tuffey et al have overs in hand. 3/29 in 6.1 astle, and arnold again drives, adams stops well at mid off, single Prem -> 250 up for lanka and tillkeratne carves one to cover, one more. 75 now to him, 251/5. Prem -> arnold off drives, single, 252/5. tillekeratne to the next ball down on one knee lofting, but just the one again. arnold ends the over with a single to third man, you keep wondering how long these guys can keep up these singles before breaking out in a rash. overs are ticking by and sl looked good for 300 at one point, which the batsmen will be aware of. 3 overs left, 254/5 in 47 the score, arnold batting 10 off 11 Prem -> oram having finished his spell, bond is back, he has two overs so should be bowling the final over, 33/1 in his 8 thus far. arnold facing, chops the first ball down to point, bond bowling within himself, that was just around 139k Prem -> bond to arnold, ball two of the 48th, and arnold drives, opening the bat face, carving it out behind point, third man has to run around, two for it, 256/5. Prem -> bond, to arnold, and a huge swing to a full length ball, plays all over it and is bowled. the suspicion of an inside edge here, lanka 256/6 in the 48th.. Prem -> chaminda vaas the new man in, with two overs after bond finishes the one in progress left for the lankans to recover lost ground Prem -> averages just over 15, vaas, digs out a yorker first up and gets off the mark, and strike, with that single. 257/6, two balls to go. tillkeratne gets one full in the blockhole, drives, thick edge, mess up in the calling and running but vaas recovers and gets back inside before the throw comes in Prem -> outside off, looking for the yorker but delivering it full, tillekeratne carves out to the covers, gets one to end the over, 257/6 and two overs more to go Prem -> adams, and tillkeretne on his knee, smashes the first ball down the ground, man out there though in the deep, gets just one. 259/6 Prem -> vaas flicks off his pads, the man on the line at midwicket has to run in to field, that is two for the shot, 261/6 Prem -> again, a hit out on the on side and this time, sangakaara as runner puts pressure on the fielders, comes back for the second. 263/6. Prem -> adams, now with a shorter, slower ball, vaas was forward, premeditated a slog, beaten by teh change down in pace and bowled as he swings all over it, and a lifetime too early. 5 off 4 for him, 48.4 overs gone and murali walks out. Prem -> two balls left in the 49th, and murali has a huge hit at a slower ball, misses completely, and very nearly pushes the ball onto the stumps with his pads. last ball, full toss looking to york, played wide to long on, single, 264/7 after 49, one over to go Prem -> bond, and murali steps away and slams at it, a low full toss, gets one to third man. 265/7. tillekeratne on strike, batting 78 Prem -> bond, and hit back down the track, bond tries to run murali out, misses the stumps, and a single results for the overthrow., 266/7 Prem -> bond, to murali who steps away and gets enough wood to keep the ball out of the stumps, they scamper another single. 267/7 Prem -> bond, and tillkeratne slashes but only one to third man. three balls left, bond to murali, who again backs away, misses the slower one but they run anyway, bye taken, 270/7 Prem -> that is twice in two tries bond has missed running murali out. tillekeratne has a hit, finds midwicket on the edge of the circle, one more. 271/7, one ball left in the over. bond now to murali. picked up from outside off and clubbed out to long on, one more, 272/7 the score after 50 overs, and with that, break time here for me, back in 40 minutes Prem -> awright, guys, sorry about that, seems like by the time one innings is over, the next has begun. the kiwi innings now underway, chasing 272/7 and we are pickng up with vaas bowling to astle, who was almost run out off the previous ball, the first of the innings. 1/0 as we pick up play, vaas to astle, ball cuts back in, astle takes it on the pad, huge appeal, and that looked close. vaas has a knack of doing this, taking wickets early, and for the life of me I dont know why that was not out -- bucknor the umpire, ball hit off and middle, straightened on to middle. it could be height, but i dont think so, that looked plumb. anyways, 1/0 and astle struggling here against vaas. Prem -> vaas is bowling around the 128 k mark, not too fast, but his line, and the angle, and the seam movement back to the right hander, are all spot on. great start this by the lankans, 1/0 and vaas in, last time in the first over, to astle. an off side bias to the field setting, one slip in place, astle gone -- he pushed out on the on, took off for the single, very stupid really, since the ball hadn't travelled far enough, vaas quickly down the track on the follow through, picked up, turned, and flung the stumps down with astle not even in the frame. 0/5 astle, 1/1 kiwis. Prem -> craig mcmillan in at number three, and after watching half a dozen replays, i cant for the life of me figure why astle thought there was a single. pulasthi gunaratne, meanwhile, to bowl the second overl, tall, easy run up, right arm fast bowler and that was almost another run out -- mcmillan pushes hard, straight to mid off, takes off, and if that throw had hit, mcmillan was about five feet short of the stumps. this is panic, pure and simple. fleming, now, on strike, and to a ball angled across him, fleming pushes at it, lucky not to touch. 2nd over in progress, 2/1 the kiwis Prem -> gunaratne, and that is wicket number two -- angled delivery, fleming again prods at it blind, no foot movement worth mentioning, ball goes off the edge and sangakaara dives and holds well, that is 2/2 the kiwis. Prem -> scott styris the new man gunaratne, last ball of the over, finds the thick outer edge to backward point of styris, single, 3/2 kiwis at the end of two overs. Prem -> in my audio match preview, this was the point i was making -- the kiwis looked for a short term goal, against the indians, got carried away by the theory of flooding pitches to create exaggerated movement, and coasted on that to a win. fine -=- but the WC was coming up, the bowlers got used to freebies and now find they dont know what to do in tougher conditions, and the batsmen didn't get any kind of practise on those conditions, and look completely undercooked. vaas, meanwhile, in to styris, again the ball straightens on line of middle, thick inner edge runs it behind square leg, single, and mcmillan on strike, kiwis 4/2. Prem -> in my audio match preview, this was the point i was making -- the kiwis looked for a short term goal, against the indians, got carried away by the theory of flooding pitches to create exaggerated movement, and coasted on that to a win. fine -=- but the WC was coming up, the bowlers got used to freebies and now find they dont know what to do in tougher conditions, and the batsmen didn't get any kind of practise on those conditions, and look completely undercooked. vaas, meanwhile, in to styris, again the ball straightens on line of middle, thick inner edge runs it behind square leg, single, and mcmillan on strike, kiwis 4/2. Prem -> good ball, vaas bangg on line, and mcmillan plays it with soft hands and takes off, this single better judged and they make itt easy before point can run in and field. 5/2. vaas, to styris, who drives, mishits, out to cover, no run. Prem -> vaas again and this is good bowling, perfect angle across the right hander, hits line of off or thereabouts, then either straightens or jags back. Prem -> vaas, last time in the third over, in to styris. and again, the straightening ball has styris scurrying to defend. 5/2 at the end of three kiwis, chasing 273 to win Prem -> gunaratne, to mcmillan, who tries to flick to leg but finds square leg, no run. 273 the target, 6/2 the score. Prem -> gunaratne straightens one around line of off, mcmillan takes it on the pad, quick single stolen, lbw appeal, but that hit too high. next ball, it is styris taking it on the pad, and scrambling the single, bad throw there and the overhthrow is four, the bowler himself the culprit, 11/2 after all the confusion. mcmillan back on strike Prem -> vaas continues, styris flicks off his pads to fine leg, gets one more. if i were to do a prediction here, i'd think this business of staying on the back foot and trying to work vaas off the pad is likely to produce an lbw if these tow guys are not careful Prem -> the kiwis just pushing the ball around and scrambling through for runs. sorry guys had a bit of a break here, will pick up play in just a moment Prem -> and that is wicket number three. gunaratne, full, moving away late, mcmillan with no foot movement, pushes, faint edge, sangakaara holds, kiwis reeling at 15/3. Prem -> had a visitor here which explains why i went off for a bit there, but it is now back live, and already, one thing is sure, the kiwis are out of this one. sure there is cairns, who is danggerous, sure the kiwis bat deep, sure cricket is as full of cliches as a dog is of fleas, but forget it -- this game is gone. the three batsmen on view thus far have looked so shockingly lacking in form on a decent batting track, that you now begin to wonder about their other games. Cairns, meanwhile, to the crease now, 15/3 kiwis in the 6th over. Prem -> gunaratne, inswinger on yorker length first up, great first ball to bowl, cairns pushes and gets enough bat to take it to cover, no run. lankans not trying anything fancy with the field setting, slip, an off field of point, cover, short cover, mid off, cairns meanwhile cuts, past point, gets two, 17/3 kiwis Prem -> vaas for the 7th over, kiwis 17/3, field placed tto stop the singgles, and styris pushes, wants one but vaas very quick to field on the follow through Prem -> two, now, to styris cutting one behind point. And another brace next ball, vaas in this over giving a fraction more room outside off and getting taken for runs, 21/3 the score. Prem -> vaas, to styris, and that was a good ball, angled across, batsman expected it to come back in, played inside the line, the ball went through and just missed the edge. Prem -> vaas again, fullish on off and styris defends, 21/3 in 7 Prem -> gunaratne, now to cairns and a loose ball, shortish on middle and cairns swings him around, gets it out to backward square, two for it, 23/3 the score. Prem -> that was wide. speared down the leg side, length was full but the direction went for a toss -- gunaratne not as confident bowling to cairns, here, seems to be straying after three great overs earlier. cairns, to the fourth ball, pushing from line of off, finds midwicket, single. 24/3. Prem -> gunaratne losing it a bitt in this over, looks a touch over-eager, trying too hard and that is causing errors of line and length the batsmen are using to work him around. styris just did, a quick push to midwicket and kiwis 28/3. Prem -> last ball of the 8th, cairns across his stumps, takes one from outside off, hits it out wide of midwicket,t hree for the shot, 31/3 in 8 kiwis. Prem -> vaas to continue, slip in place, cairns on strike and driving, thick inner edge, singgle out to mid on. 32/3, into the 9th over Prem -> vaas, to styris, this one has styris reaching for it and lucky not to touch through. as in the previous over, styris not sure if it is coming in or not, hence the push without getting into line. 9th over, and ball three is cut down past point, single to third man, 33/3 kiwis Prem -> vaas, to cairns. slip standing wide, that is aravinda, cairns's turn to try pushing at a ball thinking it was coming in off the seam, and get foxed as the ball slows down, and leaes him instead Prem -> vaas in again, and cairns gets the outer edge, out to backward point, single. 34/3. Prem -> styyris this time walking across the sticks and working vvas off his pads, gets one, ends the over, 35/3 kiwis in 9. Prem -> gunaratne continuing, though the lankans also have fernando up their sleeve, he can generate fair amount of pace. 3.82 the kiwi run rate, styris defends to ball one. gunaratne again, and styris pushes off the open face of the bat, they take a second run, good throw in, but styris just made it back in time. Prem -> gunaratne, and again styyris places it behind point, single this time as the fielder is quicker onto the ball this time. this is a big ground, stand by for lots of twos, like you found in the first innings. 38/3, cairns on strike to gunaratne, shortish on off and cairns pushes to mid off, no run Prem -> 10 off 11, cairns, gunaratne in to him, full length, actually an attempt at an inswinging yorker, got the swing right, cairns has to dig it out in defense, no run38/3. last ball of the 10th, tto cairns, again the fullish length looking to york, cairns gets the bottom edge of the bat to it, two to third man, 40/3. Prem -> 10 off 11, cairns, gunaratne in to him, full length, actually an attempt at an inswinging yorker, got the swing right, cairns has to dig it out in defense, no run38/3. last ball of the 10th, tto cairns, again the fullish length looking to york, cairns gets the bottom edge of the bat to it, two to third man, 40/3. Prem -> vaas, into his sixth, and styris stays back, pushes out towards the mid on region, gets the single, 41/3. in now to cairns, who defends on line of off. Prem -> vaas again, and that was almost that. the bowler bending his back on that, cairns tries to cut, the extra bounce beats the shot and misses the edvge. Prem -> vaas again, fullish and some inswing, cairns looking to push through midwicket, thick edge to square leg, no run. he is bowling around 121k, vaas, but there is so much of variation and swing, both ways, that he looks more dangerous than guys with 20k more than him. Prem -> gunaratne gets a break, dilharra fernando now in. quickest of the lankan bowlers, very tall, strong lad, tends to get the ball to lift off the deck when he bangs it in, bowling with one slip in place here. styris on strike, ball one is outside off and left alone Prem -> 12th over in progress, 41/3 the score, fernando in the first over of his spell, and a bouncer. that was around the 134k mark, styris goes under the ball. fernando, i suspect, might be wasting energy bowling fast here, be more advised to do a vaas and bowl within himself, work on the batsmen. styris pushes the next ball off his pads, behind square, gets a single, 42/3. Prem -> fernando, and that was almost fatal. cairns winds up and swings, thick edge, aravinda at slip gets finger tips to it but too high to hold, really, down to third man for four, cairns was aiming for the long off boundary and got his runs to third man instead. clouts the next ball out to mid off, gets one. 47/3. Prem -> been living dangerously ehre, cairns, and that run would again have been fatal, the throw beat cairns by a couple of yards, but just missed. fernando ends the over with a short ball, which styris spots early, swings, way high over midwicket, six to end the over, quite eventful one too, 53/3 in 12 kiwis Prem -> interesting, vaaas now into his 7th over. cairns checks his push there, in the air but wide of mid on, gets the single. Prem -> vaas, to cairns. and that is authentic cairns. popped his foot down the track, free swing and hits the ball like a rocket, back down the track, four. i think the kiwis are into this all or nothing mode, trying to hit their way out of this hole, it's been dangerous business so far. cairns this time, cuts, hard into the ground, cfinds cover, no run. 59/3 and cairns now 22 off 23. Prem -> vaas again, cairns across his stumps, cuts, but finds point, no run. 59/3. 13th over in progress. this has to be the last one for vaas, unusual to see a seam bowler bowl 7 on the trot, bouncer ends the over, 13 gone, 59/2. Prem -> fernando continues. and now the odd ball is really keeping low, this one went to sangakaara on the third bounce. 59/3 into the 14th over here, the kiwis, and that was almost out. a chop at one outside off, misses, the ball flashing close past the edge Prem -> fernando, and this time, he goes across the stumps and tries to swing, fine leg is up, ball goes straight to him, they scramble a single. 60/3. Prem -> fernando, now to cairns. slower ball swigning in, cairns defends. 14th over, one ball left in the over. Prem -> fernando to cairns, wide of off, swinging further, escapes the wide call and 60/3 after 13 the kiwis. Prem -> vincent, harris and oram the next in line, and here comes murali, taking over from vaas. 304 wickets for him, an economy rate of 3.83. slip, silly point in place, styris on strike. and the very first ball lands on off and middle and turns past leg, huge turn already. ball two, outsie off, styris covers and pushes in defense Prem -> 31, styris, and again, murali spins from outside off to leg, styris wants these called wide, but the fact is the ball is landing outside off and going across the batsman, tough to call that. murali, and styris rocks back and cuts, manages to control, three to third man, 63/3. Prem -> last ball of the 15th, murali to cairns who is forward, defending, 63/3 after 15 the kiwis. Prem -> 6 the required run rate, from ehre on. styris on strike to fernando. one slip in place still, and styris off the back foot, forces the ball out on the off side past point, gets two. 65/3. Prem -> fernando, and again styris waiting on the ball and pushing, finds one out into the covers, 66/3. Prem -> slip, point, cover, mid of, sweeper, and deep wide third man on the off, cairns to one outside off, guides to third man, single, 67/3. Prem -> 37 styris off 43, on strike and fernando bowls a beamer, he apologises, styris runs it down to third man, two for that. Prem -> 54 off 61 the partnership for the fourth wicket, 69/3 the score, styris this time changes tack, shuts the bat face, plays it out on the on and gets one, 70/3. Prem -> fernando to cairns, fullish, looking to york, driven hard to mid off, no run, 70/3 after 16 kiwis Prem -> post drinks play about to resume with murali continuing, 70/3 the score in 16, silly point in place for styris who shuts the bat face and turns with the tide to wide mid on, single, 71/3. Prem -> murali now to cairns who comes a long way across, and defends to the line outside off stump. Prem -> cairns in fact standing with an off stump guard, almost exposing leg stump. murali floats it up, cairns drives, two for it through mid off, 25 off 33 cairns now, 73/3 the score. Prem -> murali with the straighter ball, cairns defends. and again, murali floating one up, looping itt and making it go straight, cairns pushes with the pad, no run, end fothe over, 73/3. Prem -> widespread field now, the lankans taking time over the personnel deployment, fernando comes off, jayasuriya comes on to bowl slow left arm. round the wicket and styris runs it down to third man, long chase for aravinda, who is not the fastest on his feet, two for itt, 75/3. Prem -> jaya to styris, this one hits line of leg and goes away, wide called. 76/3 and styris picks up the next ball, on line of off and middle, plays to midwicket, single. 77/3 brings cairns on strike. these two have to bat on for another 20 overs or so to turn this game around again. jaya on line of off, going straight through, cairns defeds. next ball is pushed out to cover, the sweeper is in business, single. Prem -> 78/3 and jaya to styris who prefers the on side, another single out to wide mid on. 194 still needed, by the kiwis. that was close, ball goes flashing past the bat as cairns pushes and misses. sangakaara whips the bails off but cairns had his back foot grounded. Prem -> third umpire asked to rule on that, and he is taking his own time on an obvious decision, Prem -> 79/3, 18 overs gone. 272/7 the lankan total, and finally the decision comes, not out. about time, too. murali nbow to styris, the wrong 'un, more or less, or doosra, styris gets the thick edge for a single behind point. cairns on strike, and pushes his pad in defense. Prem -> murali to cairns, flighted, and again, the defensive push Prem -> cairns keeps his bat tucked well behind the pad, been pushing his pad at everything here. appeal for a catch at silly point as murali npushes at a faster one, ball pops up, to silly point, but the bat was out of harm's way. 19 gone, 80/3 kiwis. Prem -> jayasuriya continues. styris appears to have decided his gameplan, forward, shut the bat face, play out on the on, get the single. cairns has been looking to go as far to off as he can, you would suspect he is looking for the one ball he can clout into the gap at midwikcet. hasn't got it so far. pushes one square on the on, gets the one, 82/3. Prem -> push and run by styris, again to mid on. jayasuriya might want to think of bringing the fielder up to block that area, styris has been getting away with a single each ball in that region. next ball, faster, going through straight, cairns trying to make room to cut, misses, lucky since that one flashed past the bat. 83/3 after 20. Prem -> 190 from 30 overs needed and interestingly, murali goes off and aravinda d'silva comes on to bowl. 4.88 his economy rate, into his 299th odi here, one short of the 300 landmark, styris, batting 48, on strike. that turned a lot, but from middle to wide of leg, wide called. 84/3. bowls that one again, this time from outside off to off, styris flicks, off the pads, finds square leg. ball thhre, batsman down the track but can't et to th pitch, checks his shot, finds the single wide of point. 85/3. Prem -> paddle sweep from cairns, single to shoft third man, 86/3. interesting to see the amount of turn aravinda is getting, styris pushes it out on the on, though midwicket, single, fifty to styris, off 55 balls, no fours, one six, 186 more kiwis need with seven in hand. Prem -> 21st over, aravinda to cairns who pushes to long off, gts the single, 88/3 the score after 21. Prem -> 29 off 50, cairns, on strike to jayasuriya who is looking to bowl flat, quickish around off. a needless shy there at the crease gives a single, 89/3 the score, 74 off 94 the partnership. in again, now to styris, who tries to work it off his pads, misses, but the leg bye taken anyway. 90/3. Prem -> jaya now to cairns, who hits hard at a ball outside off, good diving stop at cover, no run. next ball, cairns looks to flick, misses, hit on the pad, big appeal, ball was in line but cairns too far forward for the umpire to give it. single to wide long off as cairrns drives the next ball. 91/3. end of 22 overs. Prem -> aravinda continues. he would in fact want to try reducing the tweak he is giving the ball, because he is turning it almost a foot, the batsman is able to go back, then play with theturn out on the on side. or, as in that case, paddle as the ball goes down the leg side, that was styris, single.93/3 the score and that is cairns gone. he held one back, cairns pushed on the walk, not really getting to the pitch, puts the ball back down the track and aravinda dives forward and holds. great catch, vital wicket and jaya scores with his idea of holding murali back and using aravinda here. cairns gone for 32. sl 93/4 now. Prem -> aravinda continues. he would in fact want to try reducing the tweak he is giving the ball, because he is turning it almost a foot, the batsman is able to go back, then play with theturn out on the on side. or, as in that case, paddle as the ball goes down the leg side, that was styris, single.93/3 the score and that is cairns gone. he held one back, cairns pushed on the walk, not really getting to the pitch, puts the ball back down the track and aravinda dives forward and holds. great catch, vital wicket and jaya scores with his idea of holding murali back and using aravinda here. cairns gone for 32. sl 93/4 now. Prem -> that was a solid partnership, but it really needed to continue for a few overs more , at the least till 35 to allow the other batsmen to come in and go for the target. for sl, the big plus is that murali has all of 7 overs left, and getting him off the park at the death is never easy, so if they go into the final overs needed anything over six, the murali factor will kick in. Prem -> lou vincent the new man in. aravinda, in his second over, ges the key wicket, 93/4 now in 22.4 and vincent forward, playing out on the on, no run as atapattu is now well inside the circle. floats one up and vinctent drives, finds long off, single. 94/4. Prem -> jayasuriya continues, bowling to vincent. this is the second time in two games the spinners are doing the damage, wonder what the indians are making of it. speaking of damage, next ball, outside off, vincent tries to crash him square, manages only to hit straight to murali at point, and that is wicket number 5, 94/5 kiwis. Prem -> the kiwis looked to be recovering when cairns was around, but they dontt have the form or confidence for this kind of chase, really. and it is showing in the desperation of batsmen looking to force the pace. chris harris the new man in, 24th over, four balls to go. Prem -> jayasuriya to harris, on line of jus outside off, the batsman forward, pushing, no run. ball four of the over, and harris again forward takes it on the pad. ball five, harris forward again, loses sight of the ball, again on the pad. last ball of the 24th, jaya to harris, tucked away to long on, single to end the over, 96/5. Prem -> kiwis at this point going at 3.96 per over, 178 more needed at 6.9. harris to face, aravinda bowling, 25th over coming up. the 78 run partnership between cairns and styris the only double figures association till date, and this lack of partnerships is hurting the kiwi cause. quick single, meanwhile, and styris back on strike, 96/5. Prem -> aravinda bowling well here, keeping it slow, flighting the ball, styris down the track driving, but can only get the one out on the on side. harris faces, with a slip now in place and aravinda spins it past the left hander's blade from round the wicket. Prem -> 6.96 the ask, jaya continues, styris on strike, 26th over in progress, 99/5 the score. 53 styris, and the only one showin some application tot he cause. plays one with the shut face, from line of middle to the square leg region, single. harris now on strike. Prem -> a push, by harris, lucky the slip is no longer in place, thick edge puts the ball in the air, single to short third man. 101/5. jaya again, to styris, driven but straight to cover, no run Prem -> quicker through the air this time, on line of middle, played out on the on, single. 102/5 after 26 the score. Prem -> aravinda continues. this is clever captaincy really, because by using himself and aravinda, jaya is also saving overs for vaas, murali, gunaratne et al for the death. harris facing dsilva, forward looking for the pushed single, the lankan fielders very quick onto it, no run. next ball, a sweep, nicely controlled, single, 104/5. Prem -> styris this time goes down the track, has a huge swing, in the air, gunaratne runs around, looked to have it covered, and then overran the ball, let it go through his hands for four. aravinda not amused, 108/5 the score and another run off the next ball as he pushed it out on the on and gunaratne, again, had to come off the line and field Prem -> harris sweeps, misses. 27 overs gone, 109/3. Prem -> jayasuriya to styris, who after that act of derring do in the previous over, is now back to doing what he does best, working the ball around for singles. 110/5 the score with a single out on the on side. next ball, harris plays out to midwicket, murali, no run. ball three, harris bustling forward, gets it on the pad, for some reason, umpire signals that as a run though the bat was nowhere near it. next ball, styris down the track, gets tothe pitch, makes room and hits inside out over cover, four. 115/5. Prem -> 28th over, in progress, and both batsmen now working singles around, enbd of 28 it is 116/5. Prem -> jayasuriyya appears to be feeling the heat again, going off now and aravinda as senior pro taking over the captaincy. 29th over, and it is aravinda to bowl, to styris. ball two, great shot by styris, down the track, to a bit of flight on the ball, again used his feet to make room so he could free his arms, up and back over the bowler's head, six, 73 off 73 styris, 122/5 kiwis. Prem -> paddle to the next ball, down to fine leg, gets two. 124/5. Prem -> aravinda, and styris again down the track, but gets too close to the ball to hit through, finds the fielder on the on side, no run. Prem -> 29th over, last ball, and styris works it fine off his pads, two to fine leg, 126/5 Prem -> jaya being off the field, a forced change, russel arnold with his off breaks takes over. 110 matches, just 32 wickets, but his forte is a tight line and restrictive bowling, has a career economy rate of 4.7 which is agreat for a part-timer Prem -> harris facing, and that one turned -- alarmingly, across the face of the bat and beat harris as he lunged forward. Prem -> arnold, 30th over, to harris who tries to sweep, beaten by turn, no run. Prem -> and again, huge turn beats harris, that one hit line of leg then went across the batsman at speed. could have been a stumping but sangkaara a fraction late. next ball, played out on the on side, two runs, 128/5. end of 30 overs, single out to long off off the last ball, 129/5. Prem -> and now murali brought back, for aravinda. harris on strike. has 7 overs left to bowl, slip in place for the left hander facing the off spinner. round the wicket, and harris drives, finds cover. Prem -> murali again, to harris, on lne of off, sweep, misses, they race a leg bye. 130/5. Prem -> murali, now to styris, flighted, and overspun, goes through with the arm, styris drives but cant get it past the fielder. next ball, driven, out on the on, but no run. top spinner third ball, straightens and hurries through, beats the bat. great over, 130/5 at the end of it. Prem -> 19 overs to go, 130/5 the score. 143 more needed off 19 overs. arnold to bowl his second over, harris has a swing to the line of leg, misses. Prem -> arnold, again, ovdr the wicket, swings, sangakaara takes the bails off as harris misses, but the back foot is in. Prem -> arnold, to styris, who pats it out to midwicket, single. 132/5, 78 to styris. Prem -> arnold to harris, who gets the faintest of edges onto the ball, goes through sangakaara down the leg side, single, 133/5. styris back on strike and showing signs of cramp. arnold to bowl, and that wa a muffed stumping -- styris went down the track, arnold bowled it wide, sangaakaara had it easy, but let the ball pop back out of the gloves. that was a clear chance. jaya meanwhile back on the field. 135/5 the score at the end of the over Prem -> 32 gone, 18 to go, kiwis need 138 more and murali to bowl, to styris who checks a sweep, out to backward square, gets the single Prem -> 80 to styris, harris 10, 136/5. murali angles one in, gets some drift, beats harris on the push, hits the pad but outside line of off. slip still in place, harris goes back looking to hit on the on, misses. Prem -> murali, and harris this time uses his feet well, hits it out to long on, gets one. 137/5. Prem -> styris sweeps, from line of off trying to hit with the turn, but cant beat short fine leg. 5th over for murali, nad so far he has give 9. styris sweeps again, mishits, and gunaratne runs in and dives, but the ball lands short of him. just one for the shot, murali now going at 2 rpo, the kiwi task becoming more and more difficult. 138/5 the score. 81 off 86 styris Prem -> arnold continues. to styris, who steps back, works it fine to fine leg, beats the short fine leg fielder, long chase for jayasuriya, gets three, 141/5. 34th over Prem -> arnold again to harris, driven to the on side, fielder at long on is deep, so siingle is on. 142/5 the score and 131 more needed. Prem -> arnold, to harris who mworks it out on the on, gets one to aravinda at square leg, 144/5. Prem -> for now, singles rule, 145/5 in 34 and that is drinks. be right back, guys. Prem -> for now, singles rule, 145/5 in 34 and that is drinks. be right back, guys. Prem -> oh fish. confession time -- thanks to yesterday's late finish plus having to do audio both at night and early this morning, been sleepy as hell. went off to wash my face and came back to see harris walking back and the drinks cart coming on. gimme a few, will pick up play post drinks plus tell you of the harris dismissal as well. Prem -> right, play resumes, harris bwoled murli with the arm ball, in the 35th over, 150/6 the scoe, jacob oram the newm man in, murali bowling with a slip, this one was almost a leg break, came in to the left hander. now a silly point in as well, and murali bowls one fast, pushed down to the leg side, quick single taken, could have been a run out but the throw didn't hit from backward square. Prem -> right, play resumes, harris bwoled murli with the arm ball, in the 35th over, 150/6 the scoe, jacob oram the newm man in, murali bowling with a slip, this one was almost a leg break, came in to the left hander. now a silly point in as well, and murali bowls one fast, pushed down to the leg side, quick single taken, could have been a run out but the throw didn't hit from backward square. Prem -> 151/6 kiwis, in 35 overs, arnold to oram, 36th over. very tight line, arnold, has tons of experience in this kind of role. a drive to mid on, next ball, gets the single, one run in three balls, 152/6 and styris on strike. checks a drive, pops it up but short of arnold. Prem -> ball five, pushed out to midwicket, single. 153/6. one ball left in the 36th, arnold to oram, defensive push, no run. just two in the 36th. Prem -> 120 needed off 14 overs, four wickets in hand, ask over 8, styris playing a lone hand, 91 off 94, jayasuriya takes murali off and brings himself back on Prem -> neither batsman at this point unable to do more than push the ball around and get singles, which are just not doing it for a side needing 8 and more per over. to make things worse, there are no wickets in hand for a big push at the end, 155/6 the score here, 118 more needed, and styris makes room for himself to push to point, singgle. 156/6. jaya to oram, driven, to long on, single. actually, good running makes it two, coming ack for the throw styris and making his ground. oram again, down the track and driving to long on, but just one this ttime, 159/6 in 37 Prem -> arnold continues. to oram, who drives, finds the run to long off, no run. 160/6. Prem -> styris works the single, to midwicket in his turn, 94 to styris, 161/6 the score. 8.96 the ask. oram sets himself and hevaes, but again, all he gts is a run out to deep midwicket. 162/6. 94 off 97 styris, on strike, and getting another of his singles to midwicket. Prem -> last ball of the 38th, 163/6, arnold to oram, two, deft touch to third man, beats the man standing up. 165/6 at the end of the over. ask rate now 9 an over. Prem -> jayasuriyato styris, who tries to work from outside off to midwicket, hits it on to the pads. next ball, placed to point, single. Prem -> jaya to oram, who goes down the track swinging, misses, takes it on the pad. leg bye. 167/6, styris back on strike. fires one down leg side, wide given 168/6. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> jaya to styris, 96 off 100, and a push out to deep cover gets styris one more. batting with two lives, styris, left off by gunaratne at deep midwicket, meanwhile, oram attempting to turn one to leg, beaten, leg bye. styris in his turn, pushes to point, single, 171/6 at the end of 39, styris 98. Prem -> arnold to styris and predictably, the shut bat face gets the single out on the on side, 172/6 and kiwis need 101 more in 10.5. arnold to oram. down leg, oram, gets one to the midwicket region. 173/6 Prem -> 99 off 103 styris, and a push past arnold gets him his 100, first odi hundred for styris, 174/6 the score, 104 balls for the score. oram takes another single, this one to cover, 175/6. Prem -> arnold to styris, who goes back, hits itt out from outside off to long on, single. 176/6. Prem -> arnold now to oram, no run to the defensive push, ends the over, 176/6 in 40. Prem -> murali back, and almost does for styris who goes a long way off to hit to leg, ball turns like a top and just misses leg. next ball, big swing and miss to the arm ball, ball goes through the batsman and keeper, two down to third man. 178/6, in the 41st over. ball three, styris has another hit, single behind square leg. 179/6. Prem -> murali now to oram, round the wicket, oram is out. came out to try and hit, murali deceives him with drift, thhat was the off break, goes past the bat, sangakaara conmpletes the stumping. Prem -> andre adams the new man in, 94 off 56 the ask. right hand batsman, averaging 22, has a big strike rate, around 90, he will need some big hits here to bring the kiwis into this game, murali bowling with a slip now in place. 179/7 Prem -> that was the doosra -- adams plays inside the line thinking it was the off break, beaten, end of the over, 179/7 at the end of the over. 41 gone Prem -> arnold to continue. styris works one down to square leg, gets the single. 180/7. adams on strike, waits on a ball and tries to hit, thick outer edge, to cover, single, 92 off 52 sttill needed. Prem -> arnold to styris, who goes forward, has a swing but again, can only manage one to sweeper at midwicket. 182/7. 10.71 the ask now, and adams has another swing, in the air and down the throat of the fielder out on the line at midwicket, 182/8 the score, the kiwis. the slowness of these bowlers, the softness of the ball, and the low bounce all impacting on the outcome of this game, mubarak the fielder who tooik that catch. 182/8 the score at the fall of that wicket Prem -> tuffey out to the middle now, rather strange that he is ahead of bond if you recall the big htting bond did against india in that game. in any case, tuffey starts off with an exneansive drive to wide cover, gets three, 185/8 in the 42nd over. last ball, and styris has a hit, out to deep backward point, ends the over with a single, 186/8 at the end of 42 Prem -> 10.88 the required run rate, 2 wickets left, 87 needed off 48. Prem -> murali to styris and this time, the batsman down on his knee, lifts, picking up the straight ball and swinging it high over midiwcket, for the six. has another swing to the next ball, same direction, misses, two leg byes as the ball goes off the body, styris 113 off 113 now, 194/8 the score. ball three, swung around again, single this time behind point. 78 more needed off 45. Prem -> murali to tuffey, who rocks back and cuts, under edge, ball flashing past the stumps, out on the on side to fine leg, single. Prem -> 77 more off 43 the ask. murali to styris. clipped off the pad, gets the single, 197/8 at the end of the over, 76 more off 42 needed. Prem -> styris to the first ball from arnold, tries to turn, gets pad on it, risky single that, the throw from short fine leg just misses the stumps at the other end, and they run another to the overthrow. next ball, single out to backward square, 200 up on the board for 8 wickets. 118 styris. Prem -> arnold, and that is tuffey gone. pushes at the ball, gets the edge, sangakaara takes low, and kiwis 200/9 Prem -> bond the last man, kiwis needing 73 off 38 balls. arnold bowling, and bond has a hit, up into the on side, single, 202/9 Prem -> 71 off 37, arnold to styris who comes down looking to hit, arnold keeps it short, forces the batsman to defend, no run. this is pretty much a question of going through formalities, here Prem -> murali for the 45th over. styris the batsman, swings, and swings well, into the croweds over midwicket, six more. keeps hitting this one off murali, styris. 208/9. Prem -> next ball, another swing, identical, with identical results. that is great hitting, 215/9 Prem -> ball three, styris hits, hard, but cantt get under this ball, manages just two. 217/9 and murali to bond. 56 needed off 31. Prem -> murali forcing the defensive push off bond, no run. end of 45, and kiwis 217/9 Prem -> styris now with the last hurrah. arnold, and styris down the track and bang, over long on, a huge six. next ball, down the track, and again a huge swing, high in the air and and lands bettween three fielders on the on side. 48 needed off 28 with one wicket in hand. styris connects on another swing, this one though is swung to deep square leg, vaas holds with ease, and that seals a 47 run win for the lankans. kiwis all out 225, and styris, coming in after the kiwis were 5 or so for two, seeing it right down to the end, and single-handedly taking the fight to the kiwis. a little bit of support could have made a difference, but there was no batsman with the nous to take on this attack of seamers, one spinner, and a bunch of part-timers. Prem -> 141/125 styris, at the end of it all, and with that, kiwis 225 all out in 45.3 overs, we'll shut down ehre and be back tomorrwo, with the huge australia-pakistan game. um, i reckon to get some sleep between now and then. take care all.

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