New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2014-15
Wisden's review of the fifth ODI, New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2014-15
15-Apr-2015
At Dunedin, January 23, 2015. New Zealand won by 108 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka.
The series had ebbed and flowed until this drastic lurch in momentum. At 93 for five on a spicy pitch prepared to last for two matches, and with Kulasekara nipping it around, New Zealand seemed down and out. Then, for the next 30 overs, Wellington team-mates Elliott and Ronchi combined for a phenomenal unbroken stand of 267 - the highest for the sixth wicket in one-day internationals (previously 218 by Jayawardene and M. S. Dhoni, for the Asia XI against the Africa XI at Chennai in 2007). They shared the match award. Ronchi's nine sixes did untold damage to Sri Lanka's confidence: his unbeaten 170 was the highest score by a No. 7 in the format and came from only 99 balls. Elliott became, aged 35, the second-oldest one-day centurion for New Zealand (Bevan Congdon was 37 when he made 101 against England at Wellington in 1974-75); he faced 96 deliveries. New Zealand's total was - for ten days - their highest against the major nations. Sri Lanka were without Angelo Mathews due to a calf injury and, though acting-captain Thirimanne filled in smartly with seven economical overs of medium-pace and a useful 45, and Dilshan replicated his 116 of the second game, their task was too steep. Boult captured career-best figures to wrap up victory.
Men of the Match: G. D. Elliott and L. Ronchi.
The series had ebbed and flowed until this drastic lurch in momentum. At 93 for five on a spicy pitch prepared to last for two matches, and with Kulasekara nipping it around, New Zealand seemed down and out. Then, for the next 30 overs, Wellington team-mates Elliott and Ronchi combined for a phenomenal unbroken stand of 267 - the highest for the sixth wicket in one-day internationals (previously 218 by Jayawardene and M. S. Dhoni, for the Asia XI against the Africa XI at Chennai in 2007). They shared the match award. Ronchi's nine sixes did untold damage to Sri Lanka's confidence: his unbeaten 170 was the highest score by a No. 7 in the format and came from only 99 balls. Elliott became, aged 35, the second-oldest one-day centurion for New Zealand (Bevan Congdon was 37 when he made 101 against England at Wellington in 1974-75); he faced 96 deliveries. New Zealand's total was - for ten days - their highest against the major nations. Sri Lanka were without Angelo Mathews due to a calf injury and, though acting-captain Thirimanne filled in smartly with seven economical overs of medium-pace and a useful 45, and Dilshan replicated his 116 of the second game, their task was too steep. Boult captured career-best figures to wrap up victory.
Men of the Match: G. D. Elliott and L. Ronchi.