Herath gets an edge but it falls short of Dilshan, McCullum playing watchfully now. Another shout for lbw but it was hitting the batsman outside the line of the stumps, replays show that it was a good call and was not out. A couple of leg byes to finish the over.
Vettori limping for a single, the quick singles will not be an option for this pair because Vettori is struggling. Dilshan continues and McCullum tries the reverse again and misses again. With five wickets down, a reverse sweep by the captain may not be the right option.
Herath starts his 5th over. McCullum takes a single. A couple of runs from the over, NZ need 67 more to win.
Dilshan introduced into the attack, he is acting like the second spinner today. Senanayake not playing, which was a surprise for everyone. Shout for lbw against Franklin as he plays across the line, but is given not out. WICKET! Similar ball, similar shot, similar shout but a different decision. Franklin goes, Dilshan gets a wicket, NZ are 70 for 5. Daniel Vettori is the new batsman, Dilshan finishes a wicket maiden!
Can Herath generate a wicket? McCullum will look to attack and play his natural game. A couple of singles, safe cricket by the Kiwis.
McCullum drives this through the covers for four, releasing a bit of pressure. McCullum picks up a single in the same area, good cricket from him. Franklin times it perfectly and drives it through the covers for four. Nine from the over, NZ need 71 more to win.
Herath continues, McCullum tries to reverse sweep him but gets a couple, looks awkward. A quick and risky single to follow the unorthodox shot. Franklin gets a single, playing watchfully. Another single, this time it was not risky. Five from the over, it is 59 for 4 after 12.
James Franklin comes out to bat, ahead of Brendon McCullum. Matthews brings Eranga back into the attack, searching for another wicket. Sri Lanka need to keep chipping away at the Kiwis. WICKET! The Kiwis are making a mess of this small total, Guptill gets an edge and the slip takes the catch. Guptill goes and Sri Lanka look strong for the first time today. The captain comes out to bat to save his team. McCullum gets off the strike and off the mark with a single down to fine leg. Straying down leg and Franklin pads it for four, leg byes called.
Ross Taylor walks out to bat, NZ need 91 more to win and they have lost their review. Herath continues from the other end. WICKET! Ross Taylor is caught in front of his stumps and Herath gets a wicket. NZ three down for 49.
Malinga operating from the other end, Guptill drills the first ball straight past him for four, solid shot played with the full face of the bat. The next ball is short and Guptill works it off his hip for a square leg boundary, two good shots. NZ need less than 100 to win. Williamson punches this off the back foot through the off side, it does not reach the boundary but they run four runs. WICKET! Malinga gets Williamson caught in front of the stumps, the batsmen go for the review. Bad review, a good slower ball and Williamson has to go.
Sri Lanka lose a review, umpire Tucker makes a great call under pressure. Herath brought into the attack to bowl the 8th over of the day. It will be an interesting passage of play as both teams look to attack, Guptill picks up three runs on the leg side. Herath gets some turn as Williamson tries to play at it. There is some turn in this pitch and SL not picking another spinner is a surprise. Williamson likes to sweep the spinner and he is doing it well. He walks across, sweeps a short ball for four and it flies over short fine leg. Good first over by the spinner, well negotiated by Williamson.
New Zealand are back after lunch, and will be looking to end this match early. Sri Lanka will be looking to take more wickets, they have taken one, and put pressure on the Kiwis. Malinga starts after the break with a maiden, a big shout for caught behind off the last ball. The umpire gives it not out, Matthews goes for the review, beautiful ball but no edge. Williamson survives.
A big wide from Eranga, Sangakkara does really well to stop it. This will be the last over before lunch. Guptill drives on the up through the point region for four, good timing again making sure that the ball just reaches the boundary. Malinga has to stop this at the boundary as Guptill pulls a straighter one from Eranga for a single. Williamson plays it nicely into the gap for three, the initial call for for two but sloppy fielding makes it three runs. A good yorker, Guptill hits it onto the boot, but Eranga did not catch it, Guptill survives. It is lunch with NZ 26 for 1.
Malinga gets Williamson to play at it, falls short of the slips because it was played with soft hands. Guptill goes up to Williamson and just calms him down. It is not a big total, NZ don't need to take any risks. A couple of runs as the ball is run down to third man, good running between the wickets. Another good over from Malinga, NZ 17 for 1 after 5 overs.
Eranga continues, Guptill works him away onto the leg side for a single. Short ball to Ronchi again, this time from Eranga, Ronchi ducks and lets it go. WICKET! Ronchi's bad form continues, Eranga gets the outside edge and the keeper takes an easy catch. Willliamson comes out to replace Ronchi. A leg gully in place for the new batsman who is off the mark straight away.
Malinga to continue, Ronchi to face him. This could be the game for Ronchi, the score is not too big and if he can get a decent score, he will get a lot of confidence out of it. Malinga gives him a slower full toss, Ronchi can't put it away, smiles all around. Clever bowling from Malinga who now follows it up with the bouncer, Ronchi being tested. Ronchi picks up a boundary with a well-timed shot down the ground. Good cricket all around. Malinga gives him another bouncer. A play and a miss to end the over.
Shaminda Eranga to partner with Malinga, Kulasekara not playing today. Guptill whips it from his hip and Malinga saves two runs on the boundary. Good batting and fielding. Guptill gets it through the covers for four, just reaching the boundary.
Malinga to start the bowling for SL and the Ronchi-Guptill partnership to start for NZ. Malinga starts with a maiden, Guptill plays it out.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat on a good batting wicket and a sunny day. New Zealand bowled well, created chances with some excellent fielding and produced a balanced, effective and brilliant bowling performance. McClenaghan took 4 wickets, Nathan McCullum took 2, Mills chipped in with 2 and Vettori grabbed 1. Poor batting from Sri Lanka overall, only three batsmen reaching double figures with Sangakkara getting 68. Sri Lanka all out for 138 runs in 37.5 overs.
Malinga is the last man, McClenghan to bowl his 9th over. Herath takes the single bringing Malinga on strike. Malinga angles his bat, works the ball into the leg side for a couple. WICKET! Sri Lanka all out for 138, McClenaghan produces the outside edge and the slip takes the catch. A solid bowling effort comes to an end.
McCullum to Herath, who takes a single to bring Sanga on strike. WICKET! Sangakkara plays a poor shot, and gives a simple catch to Williamson. An out of character shot for Sangakkara giving NZ their 8th wicket. Shaminda Eranga the new man in, he is playing instead of Kulasekara today. WICKET! Mills takes a good catch at long off and McCullum gets another wicket. SL are 9 down now.
McClenaghan starts with a bouncer, he has taken a wicket in each spell. The bowler strays down leg side and Sangakkara put it away for four down to fine leg. A quick chat between Vettori, McClenaghan and McCullum. Herath plays a great cover drive for four, hitting through the line of the ball. Herath deserves a promotion up the order.
The batting powerplay has been taken, Sangakkara wants to make use of it. A quiet over for a power play, just two from it.
McClenaghan to continue, bowling with the old ball now. WICKET! A good ball, Perera goes for the strike only to hit it in the air and Vettori completes a well-judged catch. Perera goes for 15 and Sri Lanka are 118 for 7. Herath is the new man, the Kiwis will be looking to get the tail out quickly. Sangakkara hits it past the bowler for four, strong shot.
Nathan McCullum continues after drinks. Sangakkara takes a quick single, umpire thinks he is safe but refers it. Replays show he is safe, good work by Ronchi. Perera hits it straight and over the bowler's head for a single. Just four singles from the over.
Southee continues and Perera looks to attack him. The Kiwis still looking for wickets which is a good sign, they have not changed their plans even after SL have switched gears. Just a single from the over and it is drinks.
Perera gets a boundary through the leg side, driving Nathan McCullum through midwicket. A four and a single from the over.
Sangakkara clips one off his pads for four to fine leg, Sanga is shifting gears now. Perera hits it in the air and it lands in no mans land. Eight runs from the over, SL go past 100
Nathan McCullum comes into the attack. Sangakkara works him through the off side and gets a single to bring up his 50. The umpires gives Perera out and he goes for the review straight away, and replays show they was an inside edge. Umpire Tucker will overturn his decision, Perera survives.
Southee is brought back into the attack, to attack Sri Lanka. Sangakkara made his intentions clear in the last over. Guptill makes a smart stop at midwicket to deny a single. Perera hits it straight back at Southee who puts him down. It was not too difficult but Southee grabs at it and it hits the palm and goes to ground. Perera hits it to mid on and Franklin lets it go through him for a boundary. A couple of errors in the field.
Sri Lankans now are pushing for the singles even with the close in fielders. WICKET! A comedy of errors for Sri Lanka, trying to take a single to Guptill and Thirimanne is run out. A mixture of bad calling, bad judgement and poor running causing the wicket. Williamson making sure he takes the stump out. A couple of boundaries for Sangakkara, one straight down the ground and one on the leg side. Another boundary straight down the ground. So a wicket and three boundaries to end the over.
Vettori operating with Williamson, with lots of fielders inside the circle. Thirimanne takes the risk and hits it in the air for four, good shot in the end.
Kane Williamson comes into the attack, NZ have three spinning options. After 25 overs Sri Lankaare 75 for 5.
No free runs for Sri Lanka, the Kiwis keeping it tight in the field and bowling well.
McClenaghan continues to impress, bringing the ball back into the left handers. An edge but it falls short of first slip, McClenaghan inducing a false shot, really good bowling and captaincy. Just a single from the over.
Vettori to continue. Another quiet over, making it 4 overs for 9 runs for him. Good display of bowling and fielding from the Kiwis.
WICKET! Matthews loses his leg stump, he was walking across his stumps and McClenaghan pitches it outside leg stump and goes on to hit the leg stump. Clever bowling getting rid of the SL captain. SL in all sorts of trouble now, having lost half their side. Thirimanne comes out to bat, making it two left-handed batsmen at the crease. Thirimanne gets a single.
Angelo Matthews finds the gap on the leg side, risky shot but effective, gets the boundary. A good over, just the boundary from it, SL are 64/4 after 20 overs.
Clever captaincy from Brendon McCullum, placing 7 fielders inside the circle, denying Sri Lanka the singles. A string of dots from McClenaghan, still not bowling full pace.
Vettori comes back into the attack, he does not turn the ball a lot, but is very accurate and effective. A maiden from Vettori.
Not much turn for McCullum and Sangakkara takes a couple on the long boundary. Another couple off the leg side, making it five from the over.
Sangakkara finds the gap and threads that through the off side for four, beautiful shot. Southee follows it up with some good bowling, after being hit for four off the first ball.
Nathan McCullum to continue after drinks. Four runs from the over, SL 47 for 4 after 15 overs.
Southee gets driven down the ground by Sangakkara, that shot was more about timing than power. Just a couple of runs from the over, the Kiwis putting pressure on Sangakkara.
Nathan McCullum comes in to bowl, the captain keeping Vettori for later. Nathan had a good last game, so should be confident. Good start from Nathan, just a single from the over.
Southee continues, his second over. Mills and McClenaghan starting well also takes the pressure off of Southee, if he can follow the pattern, SL will have a nightmare today. A good maiden from Southee.
A chance of a run out, but Matthews sends Sangakkara back in time. That could have been catastrophic. Just two from the over, Mills very economical.
Southee comes into the attack, he is their strike bowler. A wide down leg from Southee. Sangakkara thumps that one through the covers, but does not fin the boundary, Sangakkara gets three. Chandimal should learn from this shot.
WICKET! Mills consistency gets him another wicket. Sri Lanka look stunned by some good bowling on a good batting surface. Chandimal goes for 0, caught by the keeper, SL struggling at 34 for 4. The captain walks out to save his team and rebuild. Just one run and the wicket from that over.
Vettori comes into the attack, after not playing ODIs for almost two years. A bit of turn for Vettori, Herath will be looking at this. WICKET! Vettori gets the breakthrough, Mahela gone for four runs. The experienced of Vettori, spins one square across Mahela and then gives him the straighter one and gets him out lbw. Chandimal is the new man. There is a buzz around the new batsman, close in fielders. A good over from Vettori.
Just a couple from that over, another quiet one from Mills.
Sangakkara not looking as comfortable out there, has a knee problem or something like that. Dilshan drives through the covers for four, it was in the air for a while but safe. WICKET! Dilshan gets castled, McClenaghan brings the ball into Dilshan and goes through his defenses. The Kiwis get another wicket and Jayawardene comes in to bat. Two very experienced batsmen for Sri Lanka out there.
A good over from Mills again, SL batsmen respecting his experience. Sangakkara gets down on one knee and punches that through the covers for four, a great shot from an experienced campaigner.
Short from McClenaghan and pulled for a square leg boundary by Dilshan, good shot, got on top of it. Another short ball, slightly faster, Dilshan fails to pulls it. Then he follows it up with a perfect one outside off and Dilshan gets a bottom edge and it falls short of second slip. Just five from that over.
Umpire Tucker lets to down the leg side go without calling them wides. A tidy over from Mills again, just a couple from the over.
McClenaghan, the lefty, to bowl the second over. He has been bowling slightly slower than he usually does, it will be interesting to see what he does today. A couple for Dilshan on the leg side, the ball getting big on him but he angles it for a couple. A couple more on the leg side for Dilshan, some boundaries are longer than others on this ground. A wide called, down the leg side. McClenaghan adjusts his line from leg to outside off, Dilshan leaves it alone. First boundary for SL and Dilshan, hit it straight down the ground for four.
A short delay because of the sight screen to begin the day. WICKET! What a catch at second slip by Brendon McCullum. Mills gets Kushal Perera first ball, great catch by the captain. After the first over, SL are 2 for 1.
Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat first. Shaminda Eranga comes in for Kulasekara. Daniel Vettori comes back into the NZ squad. It is bright and sunny and Cardiff is a great pitch for batting so should be a great game.
The tournament got underway on Friday, when South Africa fell to India. Australia then lost to England on Saturday. The pitches have been competitive, and early signs are that short-pitched bowling is not the way to go. Oh how we long for the return of the regular yorker. Mail us your opinions to: cricket@365.co.za.
Hello and welcome to our over-by-over commentary of the Champions Trophy Group A clash between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales.