🏏ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: S8 - M46: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka🏏 - Page 8

Cole McConchie: Nice batting with someone like Mitch (Santner), who’s experienced in situations like that. He calmed things down. Being 2 off 10 was nervy, but we trusted we could make it up at the back end. Mitch struck it beautifully to get us to a good total. I struggled early and realised I had to be more proactive, especially against the spin. They bowled well through the middle and put us under pressure, so we had to adjust. We can learn from the Sri Lankan spinners - they found response from the wicket and set good fields. The first 10 overs will be important, and we need to be sharp. It’s special playing in front of a home Sri Lankan crowd in Colombo. Hopefully, we can silence them early.

8.50pm Have Sri Lanka let this one get away from them? McConchie and Santner's 84-run partnership, for the seventh wicket, has silenced this crowd. Colombo was on its feet and celebrating electric cricket from both sides in the powerplay, before Theekshana and Chameera slotted in with their slow spin to make the most use of this pitch. Both of them end with three-fors, and you thought they would have an easy chase up ahead. But the Sri Lanka bowlers fluffed their lines in the death overs, bowling full toss after full toss, and New Zealand have the advantage in what has been an incredible contest so far.

Cole McConchie: Nice batting with someone like Mitch (Santner), who’s experienced in situations like that. He calmed things down. Being 2 off 10 was nervy, but we trusted we could make it up at the back end. Mitch struck it beautifully to get us to a good total. I struggled early and realised I had to be more proactive, especially against the spin. They bowled well through the middle and put us under pressure, so we had to adjust. We can learn from the Sri Lankan spinners - they found response from the wicket and set good fields. The first 10 overs will be important, and we need to be sharp. It’s special playing in front of a home Sri Lankan crowd in Colombo. Hopefully, we can silence them early.

NZ innings progression

Overs 1-6: 44/2 at 7.33 RPO (5 X 4s, 1 X 6s)

Overs 7-15: 46/4 at 5.11 RPO (3 X 4s, 1 X 6s)

Overs 16-20: 78/1 at 15.6 RPO (5 X 4s, 6 X 6s)

Pace vs Spin for Sri Lanka today

Pace: 3/72 in 7 overs, ER: 10.28

Spin: 4/95 in 13 overs, ER: 7.30

Sri Lanka spinners by speed today

Under 90 kmph: 3/64, 49 balls, ER: 7.83

90-plus kmph: 1/29, 29 balls, ER: 6.00

The 84-run partnership between Cole McConchie and Mitchell Santner is the highest for the 7th wicket or lower in T20 WCs, bettering the 74 runs added by M Hussey and Steve Smith vs BAN at Bridgetown in the 2010 edition.

Bowled in 1st ball

What was that bro

Nissanka out 💔

B Matt Henry

0.1

W

Matt Henry to Pathum Nissanka, out Bowled!! Pathum Nissanka b Matt Henry 0(1)

Matt Henry to Pathum Nissanka, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

1st ball wk for Henry🤯

Sri Lanka Innings

0.1 Henry to Nissanka, OUT

Silence around the Premadasa as Henry knocks Nissanka over first ball! 137kph length ball just outside off, it seams in and Nissanka is caught at the crease. He tries to get his bat down but the ball goes through his defences and crashes into the stumps! What a start for New Zealand!

Pathum Nissanka b Henry 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

Originally posted by: Prizi

Bowled in 1st ball

What was that bro