Ronchi shatters records to flatten SL
24 Jan 2015 11:38 PM GMT
A record batting blitz by Luke Ronchi and Grant Elliott set New Zealand up for an overwhelming 108-run win over Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI in Dunedin on Friday. In a stunning display of power hitting, Ronchi (170*) and Elliott (104*) bludgeoned an unbeaten 267 to lift New Zealand from 93 for 5 to 360 for 5 in their 50 overs in a world record sixth-wicket stand.
Sri Lanka had their own century-maker in Tillakaratne Dilshan and looked to be in with a chance as long as he was at the crease.But when Dilshan fell for 116, it sparked a spectacular collapse in which Sri Lanka lost eight wickets for just 41 runs in eight overs. The end came with more than six overs remaining as, for the second game in a row, Sri Lanka showed little fight in the lower order to let New Zealand go 3-1 up in the series. Boult was New Zealand’s chief destroyer with 4 for 44 while McClenaghan, Elliott and Tim Southee took two wickets each.
Thirimanne, deputising for skipper Angelo Mathews who sat out the game with a slight calf strain, won the toss and sent New Zealand to bat with immediate reward. On a green-tinged seaming wicket, Martin Guptill was gone first ball and the rest of the New Zealand top order followed quickly as the hosts fell to 93 for 5.Enter Ronchi to partner Elliott and they mounted an aggressive assault on the Sri Lankan attack. Ronchi whacked his 170 from 99 balls, smacking nine sixes and 14 fours while setting several milestones along the way. In addition to the world-record partnership with Elliott, his unbeaten 170 was his maiden ODI century and highest one-day score by a number seven batsman.
Elliott, who took 96 balls for his 104, his second ODI century, showed more restraint at the crease, and like Ronchi he offered few chances. Thirimanne had the best figures for Sri Lanka with 2 for 36 off seven overs.
Briefscores New Zealand 360 for 5 (Ronchi 170*, Elliott 104*; Thirimanne 2 for 36) beat Sri Lanka 252 all out in 43.4 overs (Dilshan 116; Boult 4 for 44) by 108 runs.
Sri Lanka had their own century-maker in Tillakaratne Dilshan and looked to be in with a chance as long as he was at the crease.But when Dilshan fell for 116, it sparked a spectacular collapse in which Sri Lanka lost eight wickets for just 41 runs in eight overs. The end came with more than six overs remaining as, for the second game in a row, Sri Lanka showed little fight in the lower order to let New Zealand go 3-1 up in the series. Boult was New Zealand’s chief destroyer with 4 for 44 while McClenaghan, Elliott and Tim Southee took two wickets each.
Thirimanne, deputising for skipper Angelo Mathews who sat out the game with a slight calf strain, won the toss and sent New Zealand to bat with immediate reward. On a green-tinged seaming wicket, Martin Guptill was gone first ball and the rest of the New Zealand top order followed quickly as the hosts fell to 93 for 5.Enter Ronchi to partner Elliott and they mounted an aggressive assault on the Sri Lankan attack. Ronchi whacked his 170 from 99 balls, smacking nine sixes and 14 fours while setting several milestones along the way. In addition to the world-record partnership with Elliott, his unbeaten 170 was his maiden ODI century and highest one-day score by a number seven batsman.
Elliott, who took 96 balls for his 104, his second ODI century, showed more restraint at the crease, and like Ronchi he offered few chances. Thirimanne had the best figures for Sri Lanka with 2 for 36 off seven overs.
Briefscores New Zealand 360 for 5 (Ronchi 170*, Elliott 104*; Thirimanne 2 for 36) beat Sri Lanka 252 all out in 43.4 overs (Dilshan 116; Boult 4 for 44) by 108 runs.
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