Glenn Phillips scored a magnificent century while Trent Boult scalped four wickets as New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 65 runs in their Group 1 encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The victory in Group 1 sees New Zealand sit at the top of the table in Group 1 with 5 points in three games. The victory also sees them edge one step closer to sealing a place in the semi-finals. Sri Lanka meanwhile stay on two points from three matches. The victory was also New Zealand’s biggest against Sri Lanka in terms of runs in T20Is.
Chasing 168, Sri Lanka’s innings never got going as they failed to counter the clever bowling from Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Southee scalped one wicket in the first over, with Boult scalping two in the second as Sri Lanka were reduced to 6/3. Boult would have his third in his fourth over, sending Charith Asalanka packing as Sri Lanka were reeling at 8/4.
After the early blows, Sri Lanka never quite recovered, despite the best efforts of Bhanuka Rajapaksa. The batter scored 34 off 22 before being dismissed by Lockie Ferguson. Mitchell Santner would also strike twice, getting the wickets of Chamika Karunaratne and Maheesh Thekshana, as Sri Lanka were limping around at 65/8.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka’s spirited effort of 35 for 32 would also come to an end as Boult ended his knock to scalp his fourth of the match. The pacer would end his spell with figures of 4/13. Ish Sodhi would scalp the final wicket of Lahiru Kumara in the final over as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 102.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand were in trouble in the Powerplay, losing 3 quick wickets. Finn Allen, Devon Conway and Kane Williamson all departed early, leaving New Zealand on 15/3.
A partnership of 84 was then built up between Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell, getting New Zealand out of trouble. The pair would bat sensibly, knocking the ball around, punishing the odd bad ball away. They were also helped in their effort by Sri Lanka’s fielding, as they put down two catches. Mitchell would finally be dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga with a brilliant wrong ‘un, bringing an end to the partnership.
After steadying the ship alongside Mitchell, Phillips then upped the ante, smashing some brilliant shots and slowly getting his strike rate up. The batter would enter another gear after his fifty, taking the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers. He would finally bring up his second T20I hundred in the 19th over. Phillips would be dismissed in the final over by Lahiru Kumara but not before scoring a breathtaking 104 off only 64 balls. Phillips hit ten fours and four massive sixes in his brilliant knock.
Mitchell Santner (11*) also made a handy contribution as New Zealand set Sri Lanka a target of 168. Kasun Rajitha (2/23) was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka.
