Jacob Duffy picked up three wickets in one over to turn the tables on Sri Lanka and inspire an incredible comeback win for the Black Caps. Photo: Getty Images The New Zealanders won by eight runs as the Sri Lankans failed to score the 173 runs needed for victory. It was an unlikely win because for the first half of their innings, the Sri Lankans looked as though they would cruise in, such was the ease with which openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis were handling the Black Caps' bowling.
But then veteran Otago paceman Jacob Duffy struck in the 14th over, removing not just Kusal Mendis for 46, but also Kusal Perera and Kamindu Mendis. It caused a big momentum shift, with Sri Lanka's chances resting with Nissanka, who continued on to a brilliant 90 off 60 balls before Tim Robinson took a fine catch at mid-wicket off Matt Henry's bowling. They still needed 20 from 10 deliveries but things capitulated in dramatic fashion.
Henry bowled Bhanuka Rajapaksa with a yorker two balls later and two more wickets fell in Zac Foulkes' final over as they finished at 164 for eight. After the excellent opening partnership, the eight wickets fell for just 37 runs in 36 balls after Sri Lanka earlier needed just 50 runs off 42 deliveries. Michael Bracewell clubbed 59 off 33 balls as part of a 105-run partnership with Darryl Mitchell.
Photo: Getty Images "I'm really disappointed with the result and thought we should have done better," he told Sky Sport. Duffy took player of the match honours wit.