Vettori hails Kiwis comeback by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	DL Vettori, LRPL Taylor, TM Dilshan
Event:	New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2009

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DateLine: 3rd September 2009

 

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori was pleased with his side's fightback that helped them secure a narrow victory over Sri Lanka in the first T201.

 

Ross Taylor first laid the foundation with an innings of 60 out of New Zealand's total of 141 for eight, but a power-packed 57 off just 28 deliveries from Tillakaratne Dilshan had at one time left New Zealand reeling.

 

Dilshan's blitzkrieg helped Sri Lanka reach 64 for two after six overs, but the Kiwis swung the game back in their favour with a strong bowling and fielding display.

 

Jesse Ryder was the star on the field as he ran out Mahela Jayawardene cheaply, while Vettori claimed the wickets of Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and debutant Gihan Rupasinghe (15) as Sri Lanka lost wickets regularly.

 

Jacob Oram, who dismissed Angelo Mathews - the last recognised batsman - with the final ball of the 17th over, completed a hat-trick by dismissing Nuwan Kulasekara and Malinga Bandara with the first two deliveries of the 20th over as Sri Lanka were restricted to 138 for nine, handing New Zealand victory.

 

"I think we were about 15 runs short, but the history of this track suggests that it gets harder to bat on as the game progresses," Vettori said.

 

"We knew we were in with a chance and the fightback after we got Dilshan was impressive.

 

"The ball stopped a little and we managed to just strangle them and pile on the pressure.

 

"The bowling at the death is the best it has been for a long time and to put them under pressure after the start Dilshan gave them is really satisfying."

 

Vettori admitted that his side's fielding was the key to the victory.

 

"I think the fielding really stands out in Twenty20 and you just have to take the chances that come your way," he said.

 

"I think Ryder's run out of Jayawardene at the start of innings was an amazing piece of work and all the guys did a fair bit of work in the field."

 

The left-arm spinner was effusive in his praise for Dilshan's batting, but said his team was trying to find ways to stop the batsman.

 

"He has been the real difference between the two sides in the Test series and in this game today," he said.

 

"He's playing at the top of his game and he's playing some good cricket.

 

"It's difficult to know where to bowl to him because he has such a wide range of shots.

 

"We just need to keep looking at the footage and find a way to stop him."