New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I at Dunedin, NZ v SL, Apr 05 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

On that note, it's a wrap from us. Fidel's report should be up soon, but for now on behalf of Ekanth and Venkat, this is Madushka signing off. Be sure to join us again for the final game of this tour on Saturday!

New Zealand captain Tom Latham: "It was a pretty clinical performance I think. Probably from around eight overs on the way we fought back, and the way we were just able to keep taking wickets, and that's the best way really to stall a run rate. So yeah, I thought our bowling performance was outstanding. [Bowling changes preplanned?] A little bit preplanned, we obviously wanted to give Rachin a little bit of a bowl but obviously the surface helped him a little bit. But I thought he bowled fantastically well, and just a clinical bowling performance all round. And then obviously the way Chad and Tim played was icing on the cake. Chad set the innings up beautifully, he would have wanted more, but that's his role in this side to get us off to a good start. And then Timmy when he's in form is great to watch at the other end."

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka: "[The conditions were] not really tough. It's about the way we batted. We got a good start but lost the momentum in the middle. Losing wickets at regular intervals cost us the game. But the way Adam Milne and the other bowlers bowled, I should give them credit as well, they used the conditions well. But we need to finish the innings better, especially after the first 10 overs."

Adam Milne is the Player of the Match for his figures of 5 for 26: "It's a great feeling to get a five-for and to top it off with a team win is fantastic. The wickets were nice product of trying to find a good rhythm. Also it was great team bowling today, the other seamers and spinners really bowled well through the middle, helped pick up some wickets, and made the job easier towards the back end. You obviously have some plans, but it's about executing them well."

Hiran47: "And just like that, NZ has managed to boost their NRR such that even if it rains in Queenstown they would still win the series. Phew!"

This was a win setup by the New Zealand bowlers, who did incredibly well to pull things back in the final 10 overs after Sri Lanka had laid a strong early platform. And then after skittling the visitors for a subpar 141, Chad Bowes broke open the chase with a quick fire 31 off 15, before the devastating Tim Seifert, unbeaten on a 43-ball 79, saw the game through to the end alongside his skipper Tom Latham.

3.55pm A dominant win then for NZ, as they win by 9 wickets and 32 balls to spare! They've tied the series and now set up a decider in Queenstown on Saturday.

Dhananjaya from around the wicket

Jared: "NZ managed to break the back of this chase by targeting the seam bowlers. Hasaranga and Theekshana are the key bowlers and their figures (33 off 6 overs so far) are pretty decent, but by taking every single pace over for double digits NZ has taken them out of the game and been able to deny them wickets." Precisely. Bowes innings in that context was crucial.

BowlingGreggy: "Not much left now but for the batters to give the audience their money's worth! "