Wisden
Second One-Day International

New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2006-07

Don Cameron

At Queenstown, December 31, 2006. New Zealand won by one wicket. Toss: New Zealand.

Queenstown still lacks a top-class pitch to match its spectacular setting: over the years the scores have been moderate, and this match was no exception - but a thrilling finish made up for that. McCullum and James Marshall started strongly in pursuit of 225, adding 57 in nine overs, before Muralitharan triggered another mid-innings collapse. When the eighth wicket fell, 31 were required from 44 balls, with Franklin supported only by Gillespie and Mason, habitual just-beforethe- roller men. The runs trickled on, with Franklin in good touch and Gillespie perfecting a lastminute jab to foil Malinga's yorkers. But Gillespie was caught two short of victory and, although a wide from Vaas levelled the scores, Mason had to face Jayasuriya's final over. The first five balls were blocked - stoically, or stupidly, depending on your point of view - but the last ball, straight and full, was blithely driven back over the bowler's head for four. Earlier, Sangakkara had been the backbone of Sri Lanka's innings, before it was his turn to fall to a deflection run-out by the bowler, Adams. The other batsmen never managed to locate top gear, and only 60 came from the last ten overs.

Man of the Match: J. E. C. Franklin.

© John Wisden & Co.