and there it is, courtesy Murali's arm once more! Mendis bowls a shorter ball, pushed through quicker, McCullum again stays on the back foot and forces the ball to extra cover, Murali runs in from mid-off, picks and throws in one action and nails down the stumps with a direct hit, catching McCullum just short
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st Test at Galle, Aug 18 2009 - Ball by Ball Commentary
RESULT
1st Test, Galle, August 18 - 22, 2009, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka
New
NZ 2nd Innings
Full commentary
Murali has been fielding most deliveries at mid-off with his feet but picked a good time to run in and release with his hands. Smart direct hit. Sri Lanka wrap up victory by 202 runs. If Sri Lanka win the series 2-0 and England win the Ashes, Sri Lanka will be the new No. 2 in the ICC ranking. New Zealand have been beat soundly and face a stiff ask moving to Colombo.
This win owes plenty to Dilshan who followed an electric 92 in the first innings with a super century in the second. In the second dig he scored quickly to allow Sri Lanka go for runs and set up a huge target. Dilshan really was excellent in this Test. Centuries to Mahela Jayawardene and Samaraweera proved key to Sri Lanka's first innings. Then Thushara and Murali took four each to keep New Zealand to 299, after which came that quick second innings and then a declaration. New Zealand were always up against it chasing 413 and it didn't help they were depleted on day four. Thushara for me was the best bowler in this match, striking twice today before Murali and Mendis did the rest. A crushing win indeed. Congratulations.
New Zealand can look back at this match and take McIntosh's first-innings 69 as a positive. To bat 292 minutes and 226 balls in Sri Lanka is a big job. There were also good spells from Martin. And of course, as has almost become customary, Vettori was solid with five wickets and 109 runs. New Zealand were hurt by the illness to several players too, meaning Flynn had to open in the second innings and Ryder's uneasiness was evident. Chasing a massive total with several key batsmen not well is a big blow.
Lets head down to the post-match presentation with Danny Morrison. Vettori singles out Dilshan's twin innings as the decisive factor. He's pleased with the contributions of certain players. Obviously he's disappointed with the loss and says having nine players get ill during a Test is not an ideal situation. Vettori is looking forward to Colombo.
Sangakka is very pleased with this win. Credits Dilshan, Samaraweera, Mahela Jayawardene, Thushara and Murali. Likes the way Sri Lanka are going. Thanks his team for this win.
Dr Peter Hayes, the British high commissioner, presents Dilshan with the Man-of-the-Match award. Dilshan is happy with the match he's had. Backed his attacking instincts and liked how it came off.
So thats it from Galle. Thanks for your company over the past four and a half days. The second Test starts in Colombo on August 26. On behalf of Raghav this is Jamie signing off. Bye!
71.5
W
Mendis to McCullum, OUT
Brendon McCullum run out (Muralidaran) 29 (56b 2x4 1x6 82m) SR: 51.78
71.4
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
goes back and opens the face, steering the ball to point
71.3
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
tosses it up and McCullum defends watchfully to the off side
71.2
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
short ball down leg stump, he gets across and pulls out to the fielder at deep square leg and declines the single
71.1
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
flat ball outside off, McCullum drives off the back foot to cover
Martin joins McCullum. Not on strike though.
end of over 714 runs • 1 wicket
NZ: 210/9CRR: 2.95
Brendon McCullum29 (51b 2x4 1x6)
Muthiah Muralidaran 27-4-88-3
Ajantha Mendis 18-4-50-2
70.6
W
Murali to O'Brien, OUT
pushes forward at this one and gets an inside edge back onto the pad, which pops up to Paranavitana at silly point who dives forward and holds on
Iain O'Brien c Paranavitana b Muralidaran 5 (8b 1x4 0x6 8m) SR: 62.5
70.5
•
Murali to O'Brien, no run
spins down the pads, turned to the fielder around the corner
70.4
•
Murali to O'Brien, no run
tossed up outside the line and it strikes the pad
70.3
•
Murali to O'Brien, no run
another miscue from O'Brien, chipping into the gap at midwicket
70.2
•
Murali to O'Brien, no run
slides on and he's beaten as he plays across the line
70.1
4
Murali to O'Brien, FOUR runs
reaches out and chips this one just over mid-off's head
end of over 702 runs
NZ: 206/8CRR: 2.94
Brendon McCullum29 (51b 2x4 1x6)
Iain O'Brien1 (2b)
Ajantha Mendis 18-4-50-2
Muthiah Muralidaran 26-4-84-2
69.6
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
and Jayawardene puts it down at first slip! Mendis again foxes McCullum with the legbreak, on this occasion luring him forward, the ball takes the outer edge but Jayawardene drops it as he goes for it low to his right
69.5
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
better technique this time from McCullum, getting back and pushing the ball to point
69.4
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
lovely ball, the legbreak skids on and stays low and McCullum, standing in his crease to turn the ball away, gets beaten by a whisker
69.3
1
Mendis to O'Brien, 1 run
ah! Mendis floats up the ball just outside off stump and O'Brien pushes it in the air over silly point and gets off the mark
69.2
1
Mendis to McCullum, 1 run
stray ball outside leg stump and he sweeps hard for a single
69.1
•
Mendis to McCullum, no run
pitches on a length and goes across, McCullum defends
end of over 694 runs • 1 wicket
NZ: 204/8CRR: 2.95
Iain O'Brien0 (1b)
Brendon McCullum28 (46b 2x4 1x6)
Muthiah Muralidaran 26-4-84-2
Ajantha Mendis 17-4-48-2
Super combo, Murali and Prasanna. The ball was a peach. Patel lost balance and Prasanna did the rest.
68.6
•
Murali to O'Brien, no run
tossed up on off stump, O'Brien tentatively pushes it back
Patel didn't even wait, he just walked off. New Zealand are eight down. Out walks O'Brien.
68.5
W
Murali to Patel, OUT
superb work from bowler and wicketkeeper! Murali rips that gen of a ball across Patel, pushing it in quicker, he is lured forward and his back foot drags out momentarily and thats enough for Prasanna to collect and break the sticks in one smooth motion
Jeetan Patel st †HAPW Jayawardene b Muralidaran 22 (26b 3x4 0x6 25m) SR: 84.61
68.4
1
Murali to McCullum, 1 run
sweeps from outside the rough and gets a top edge safely to the deep
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