New Zealand slid to 15-3 against Sri Lanka in Sydney before Glenn Phillips led their fightback with a knock of 104 from 64 balls to set up a 65-run victory; New Zealand face England in a crucial Group 1 game on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket
Saturday 29 October 2022 13:49, UK
Glenn Phillips blazed 104 from 64 balls as New Zealand recovered from a stuttering start to overwhelm Sri Lanka by 65 runs at the T20 World Cup in Sydney.
The Black Caps were reeling at 15-3 inside the powerplay before Phillips and Daryl Mitchell rescued their side with a crucial partnership of 84.
Phillips - who was dropped twice - took advantage of those let-offs to post his second T20 international hundred and guide New Zealand to 167-7.
That total proved well beyond Sri Lanka, who collapsed to 8-4 in reply and were eventually bowled out for 102, with left-arm seamer Trent Boult collecting his best T20I figures of 4-13.
Deciding to bat after winning the toss at the SCG, the Black Caps quickly found themselves in trouble as Maheesh Theekshana removed the dangerous Finn Allen with the third ball of the innings.
Devon Conway and Kane Williamson also followed cheaply but Phillips, who struck 10 fours and four sixes, led the fightback in his fourth-wicket stand with Mitchell.
Although Wanindu Hasaranga prised out Mitchell (22), Phillips advanced to his ton from 61 deliveries before eventually holing out in the final over of the innings.
Tim Southee (1-12) struck the first blow with the ball when Sri Lanka replied, trapping Pathum Nishanka leg before in the opening over.
Boult then took centre stage, leaving the top order in tatters by dismissing Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva in the space of four deliveries, with Charith Asalanka following in his next over.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa's brisk 34 from 22 balls brought Sri Lanka some relief, while skipper Dasun Shanaka top-scored with 35 before becoming Boult's fourth victim.
Spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi finished with two wickets apiece as New Zealand wrapped up the win with four deliveries unused.
The Black Caps, who remain unbeaten, now hold a two-point advantage over second-placed England in a tight Group 1, with the two teams due to meet in Brisbane on Tuesday.
All six Group B teams are in action on Sunday, starting with Bangladesh against Zimbabwe from Brisbane at 3am UK time.
Then it's a double header at Perth's Optus Stadium, with Pakistan and Netherlands facing off at 7am followed by the clash of the top two - India and South Africa - from 11am - all live on Sky Sports Cricket.
