Grandhomme, Bruce seal series win for NZ

By M. Shamil Amit reporting from Pallekele

Colin de Grandhomme and Tom Bruce put on a match-winning 109-run stand for the fourth-wicket to steer New Zealand to a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka with two balls to spare in the second T20I played at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy yesterday (03).

With this win, New Zealand took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with the third T20I to be played on September 6 at the same venue.

Grandhomme was dismissal for 53 in 46 balls which had two boundaries and three sixes while Bruce made 53 in 46 balls.

However, New Zealand were in a spot of bother after the dismissal of Daryl Mitchell and they needed seven runs from the last four balls.

New Zealand in their run chase suffered an early setback as they lost the top three wickets with the score on 38 in the fourth over.

Spinner Akila Dananjaya dealt a double blow in his second over but it was not sufficient for them to prevent New Zealand from chalking up a thrilling victory.

Earlier, Sri Lanka taking first lease of the wicket after Skipper Lasith Malinga won the toss were given a sedate start by their openers Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera who put on 34 in 30 balls.

Mendis made a brisk 24-ball 26 that included two boundaries and two sixes.

Perera did not last long as he was sent back to the pavilion clean bowled by Ish Sodhi as he dragged the ball into the stumps whilst going for a sweep.

Avishka Fernando and Niroshan Dickwella settled down well and posted a fifty-run partnership.

The pair brought up Sri Lanka’s 100 runs on the board with Avishka making a quick-fire 37 in 25 balls inclusive of three boundaries and a six.

Sri Lanka lost two quick wickets for the addition of 14 runs that of Dickwella who chipped in with 39 from 30 balls as Sri Lanka slide to 122 for five in the 16th over.

Shehan Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga added 26 runs for the sixth-wicket but both were dismissed six runs apart in the 16th over.

In the last two overs, Sri Lanka were able to add only 11 runs as they ended with 161 for nine.