COLOMBO: A stunning late assault from captain Mitchell Santner rescued New Zealand from a dramatic middle-order collapse, guiding them to a competitive total of 168 against Sri Lanka in their Super Eights clash of T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Asked to bat first on a dry, turning pitch, the Blackcaps looked to be setting a modest total after losing five wickets for just 50 runs, but Santner’s explosive 47 off just 26 balls, followed by a cool-headed finish from Cole McConchie, swung the momentum back towards the Kiwis.
Phillips, Ravindra steady after powerplay fireworks
New Zealand openers Tim Seifert (8) and Finn Allen (23) started aggressively, taking 30 runs from the first three overs.
Allen looked in fine touch, smashing three fours and a six before being caught and bowled by spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the 4th over.
Seifert followed shortly after for 8, caught behind off Dushmantha Chameera, leaving New Zealand at 34 for 2. Rachin Ravindra (32) and Glenn Phillips (18) then steadied the ship with a 41-run partnership.
Ravindra looked fluent, striking three boundaries and a six, while Phillips played the anchor role.
Sri Lanka fight back with three-wicket burst
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka’s decision to rely on spin paid off handsomely in the middle overs. Just as the partnership was blossoming, Phillips was cleaned up by a yorker from Chameera for 18.
What followed was a complete meltdown by the New Zealand batting lineup. Ravindra was trapped in front by Theekshana for 32, and in the very next over, Dunith Wellalage removed the dangerous Daryl Mitchell for just 3.
To make matters worse, Mark Chapman departed for a golden duck off the very next ball he faced, leaving New Zealand reeling at 84 for 6 from a promising 75 for 3.
Theekshana was the wrecker-in-chief, finishing with exceptional figures of 3 for 30.
Santner-McConchie stand rescues innings
With the innings in tatters, captain Mitchell Santner walked in and immediately went on the offensive. He found an able partner in Cole McConchie, and together the pair orchestrated a stunning recovery.
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Santner smashed four massive sixes and two fours, racing to his fifty in just 24 balls but falling short on the final ball of the innings for a brilliant 47.
McConchie provided the perfect support, remaining unbeaten on a crucial 31 off 23 balls.
The unbroken 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket, the highest of the innings, completely shifted the game’s complexion.
Sri Lanka, who looked set to restrict New Zealand to under 140, will now face a challenging chase of 169 under lights.
