A rain-affected condition at Pallekele saw Sri Lanka starting well with the ball after winning the toss. Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka’s decision to bowl first paid off as Sri Lanka reduced New Zealand to 31/2 early on. Rain interruptions caused delays, eventually reducing the game to 47 overs, with Mark Chapman anchoring the innings and reaching a half-century. The visitors gained some momentum with Chapman and Mitch Hay’s 42-run partnership, but Asitha Fernando broke through, dismissing Chapman for 76 and Michael Bracewell in the same over. Sri Lanka’s bowlers continued to dominate, with Jeffrey Vandersay claiming two wickets in the 41st over, keeping New Zealand in check. One of the main highlights was Mitchell Santner’s wicket in the same over where Pathum Nissanka took a brilliant catch.
On the first ball of the 41st over, Vandersay bowled a good-length delivery around the off stump to Santner, who attempted to hit it for a maximum but mistimed his shot. The ball soared high into the night sky, and Nissanka sprinted in from long-off, keeping his eyes fixed on it. He made a diving effort, securing a brilliant two-handed catch. Though the umpires reviewed it, the third umpire confirmed the dismissal, and Nissanka was celebrated by his teammates and praised on social media for his athleticism and effort.
— Pandit Pranoob (@pranoob76889) November 17, 2024
What a catch from Pathum Nissanka to dismiss Mitchell Santner!
Sri Lanka’s fielding has been so good that it made Sanath Jaysuriya itself smile.#SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/VWm1Rz9lqu— NZ Men’s Cricket – Fan Page 🇳🇿 (@nz_kiwi0107) November 17, 2024
Really?
Mitchell santner is such useless dog
Mfer is no use in international with bat, such mfing scum— noob77 (@noobdude77) November 17, 2024
Stable
Super fast and stable connection. https://t.co/1vaKipwNoz
— Chris santner (@santner294120) November 17, 2024
Personally after the auction list, I’m looking at the XI this way:
Virat
Jacks
Rajat
Lomror
KL
Ashutosh🔁Philips
Swapnil/Santner
KG
Chahal
Dayal
Avesh
Really sad we would mostly miss out RTM on Siraj and Maxwell, but priority is to land Chahal, Rahul/Pant, KG/Josh @RCBTweets— Rogue Prince (@dragonking_04) November 17, 2024
Great catch
Fantastic
That catch from Nissanka #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/p8MVIWMYtP
— Debbie (@Deborah_Deborah) November 17, 2024
Pathum Nissanka 👏👏👏#SLvNZ
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) November 17, 2024
Brilliant
Good
Nissanka
Jaiswal
Root
Ravindra
Pant
Kamindu Mendis
Jadeja
Henry
Cummins
Bumrah
Rabada https://t.co/4Ph2cnYIfP— Backfoot_Punch (@kookaburra_221) November 17, 2024
