New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka, 2nd T20, Florida

The first experiment of international cricket in the United States turned out to be a low-scoring, underwhelming affair. A dead pitch combined with long boundaries meant the match aggregate was merely 212, unheard of in Twenty20 cricket. While a hard-fought scrap was entertaining for the players and fans in attendance, questions were asked about whether this would be the best way to introduce cricket to an unfamiliar, sports-crazy market. So all eyes were on the second game between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Lauderhill, Florida.

 Keeping in mind how the wicket got tougher to play on as the game went on the first time, Daniel Vettori put his men in to bat after winning the toss again. That's about all that went right for the Black Caps, as Nuwan Kulasekera took three wickets in his first over, and Angelo Mathews one in his second, to leave New Zealand reeling at 9/4. Gareth Hopkins was run out to leave the score at 13/5, before Vettori and Nathan McCullum rallied together to take the total past 50. Vettori was unhappy at being given out caught behind off Ajantha Mendis for 27, and the rest of the batsmen (save for McCullum, who made 36) fell shortly thereafter. Lasith Malinga bowled Tim Southee and Andy McKay off consecutive deliveries to shoot the Kiwis out for 81, their lowest score in Twenty20 cricket. Kulasekera finished with career-best figures of 3-1-4-3, with a staggering economy rate of just 1.33. 

Needing just 4.1 an over to win let the out-of-form Sri Lankan top order work on their batting. Mahela Jayawardene hit a 6 and a 4 before being dismissed for 17 (19/1). Thissara Perera was a surprise no. 3, but he made good on his promotion by hitting only the second 6 of the match. Going for the third, he fell to a brilliant catch by Rob Nicol, which was one of the few high points for the Kiwis. Kumar Sangakkara was stumped with 3 runs needed to win, and Nicol bowled 5 wides the next over to gift the Sri Lankans victory by seven wickets. 

So the first international cricket series in the United States ended on a cautiously optimistic note (as it probably would have, regardless of how the games themselves turned out). New Zealand would be satisfied that they recorded the first win on American soil, but being knocked over for 81 will smart. Sri Lanka will be happy that their bowling clicked in both games, while the batting wasn't given much of a chance to improve in the second game. Both captains spoke glowingly about the facilities of the Central Broward Regional Park, and indicated they would love to return for future cricket matches - probably on the condition that the pitch is improved. Their endorsement would seem to indicate that, while not a roaring success, international cricket's first venture into the American market was not a flash in the pan.