New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test at Wellington, , Dec 15 2006 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
2nd Test, Wellington, December 15 - 18, 2006, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand
268 & 365
(T:504) 130 & 286

Sri Lanka won by 217 runs

Player Of The Match
61 & 152*
chamara-silva
New
NZ 2nd Innings
Full commentary

Chamara Silva, who collected a pair in his debut Test, but roared back in this game with a scintillating ton, was awarded the Man-of-the-Match trophy. Stephen Fleming makes a nice speech.. "Sri Lankans played great cricket, Over the past year they have emerged as a credible and strong Test team. ... they have one of the greatest spin bowlers (Murali) and a action which is very difficult to pick (Malinga)" That about sums it up for as well. It was a wonderful comeback from a team who had lost the first Test. There was some controversy as well. A run out. Debates raged about whether it was unsporting. And here we are now.. all even stevens and wondering why is it so. Surely, these two-match series should be discontinued.

This is Sriram Veera, and along with Jamie Alter, signing off. It was good fun bringing you the live action. Till next time, good bye and good luck!

85.1
W
Murali to Franklin, OUT

That's it! Sri Lanka have romped home to a series-levelling win. Murali spins them home with his 9th five-wicket haul of the year. He, now, has a 10-wicket match-haul against each of the Test playing nations. Flighted up and Franklin, who put up such a good defiant two-man act with Vettori, swings it straight into the lap of the deep midwicket.

James Franklin c Silva b Muralidaran 44 (95b 4x4 1x6 133m) SR: 46.31
end of over 858 runs
NZ: 286/9CRR: 3.36 
Chris Martin4 (7b 1x4)
James Franklin44 (94b 4x4 1x6)
Farveez Maharoof 11-1-47-1
Muthiah Muralidaran 34-9-87-5

Ray H writes in, "In response to Warwick Inder I would like to add I think NZ presently has the same selection problems as the England....i.e., some of the 'best' players are sitting on the sidelines. How can Ryder with a 1st class average of nearly 50 not be selected; how can Ross Taylor with as good a technique as Crowe not be selected. Conversely, how do we select How and Cumming with their domestic averages? If we look at the bowlers also I ask myself why players such as Adams, Gillespie and Patel are not in the frame. If NZ cricket is going to progress it must leave those that are not performing behind. "

84.6
Maharoof to Martin, no run

lands on a length, cuts back in and raps Martin on the pads

84.5
Maharoof to Martin, no run
84.4
4b
Maharoof to Martin, 4 byes

yorker, goes between the bat and pad, and goes away for four byes. I am sure Martin acted as he was playing a straight drive, it was cleverly done to fool Sangakkara who reacted late and couldn't quite get across in time! Just kidding. Or may be not!

Ben attacks me with, "You forgot to point out that Martin has bought up his 50 - in only 33 matches" My bad.

84.3
Maharoof to Martin, no run

In the channel outside off, left alone

Derek screams out, "I don't think it is necessary to spell Fleming. Just reverse the batting order!

84.2
4
Maharoof to Martin, FOUR runs

Martin hits the seventh four of his career. Short of length, outside off, driven on the up, through backward point. Easy.

84.1
Maharoof to Martin, no run

In the zone outside off, Martin goes back and across, covers the stumps and shoulders arms. . Nicely done!

end of over 84Maiden
NZ: 278/9CRR: 3.30 
James Franklin44 (94b 4x4 1x6)
Chris Martin0 (1b)
Muthiah Muralidaran 34-9-87-5
Farveez Maharoof 10-1-43-1
83.6
Murali to Franklin, no run

Murali makes sure Martin will face the next over. Rips across a quick offbreak that spins away sharply after landing outside the offstump. Franklin goes for a squareslash, cant' connect

83.5
Murali to Franklin, no run

goes back, punches it back down the track

83.4
Murali to Franklin, no run
83.3
Murali to Franklin, no run

And again.

83.2
Murali to Franklin, no run

refuses a single after sweeping a fullish delvery to long leg

83.1
Murali to Franklin, no run

floated up, pushed to the offside

Still on Tindill. Carey again. "Tindill is unique also in that he is the only one that played both test cricket and rugby whereas Oliver, Page, McKechnie and Wilson represented NZ at either one day internationals in cricket or tour matches only with the AB's. As a gutsy left handed batsman, I am sure he would have enjoyed Vettori's brave knock."

end of over 833 runs • 1 wicket
NZ: 278/9CRR: 3.34 
Chris Martin0 (1b)
James Franklin44 (88b 4x4 1x6)
Farveez Maharoof 10-1-43-1
Muthiah Muralidaran 33-8-87-5
82.6
Maharoof to Martin, no run

full, and Martin drives, gets an inside edge and the ball rolls away.

82.5
W
Maharoof to Bond, OUT

Gone! Bond's licence to survive is over. (ouch that was bad) Goes hard at a length-delivery, outside off, edges it to Sangakkara

Shane Bond c †Sangakkara b Maharoof 6 (18b 1x4 0x6 25m) SR: 33.33
82.5
1nb
Maharoof to Bond, (no ball)

Lovely slower delvery, dips in on the middle stump, kept out by Bond

Both me and Dave need to get a life! Dave writes in to say, "Question is how many lives does Bond have? Easy answer: 007!"

82.4
Maharoof to Bond, no run

And again. This time driven to mid-off.

82.3
Maharoof to Bond, no run

full again, driven to cover point. Nice-looking shot, he just couldn't find the gap

82.2
Maharoof to Bond, no run

full and on the off and middle, pushed back down the track

82.1
Maharoof to Bond, no run

Well outside offstump, Bond has no problem in letting that one go through.

82.1
2nb
Maharoof to Franklin, (no ball) 1 run

length-delivery, Franklin leans forward, drives on the up, to right of mid-off.

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