KEY POINTS:
Not that it would take much, but a knee injury suffered by emerging paceman Mark Gillespie is threatening to overshadow New Zealand's Twenty20 win against Sri Lanka.
The Black Caps levelled the two-match series at Eden Park yesterday, winning a yawn of a contest by five wickets. From the moment Sri Lanka were bowled out for 115 on a fresh drop-in pitch, New Zealand always looked in control, even though they flirted briefly with disaster during the middle of the innings.
Just like game one in Wellington last Friday, Brendon McCullum and Stephen Fleming gave their side a flying start, with 50 runs inside the first six overs, possibly providing a sneak preview of New Zealand's World Cup plans. McCullum smashed 28 off as many balls, including six boundaries, while Fleming - although seeing less of the strike - raced to 17 from 16 balls before mistiming a drive off Dilhara Fernando.
New Zealand then proceeded to splutter through to the target, losing Ross Taylor and McCullum to run-outs in the ninth over, and Peter Fulton and Peter McGlashan to shots of a starkly contrasting nature. Fulton aimed to smear Fernando to cow corner but had his stumps flattened, while McGlashan offered a gentle catch into the off-side.
It was only after Nathan Astle came to the party with a bludgeoning 40 not out off 37 balls that New Zealand were able to get home with five wickets and nine balls to spare.
The good and the bad news for the home team concerned Wellington right-armer Gillespie.
Selected but not employed during the Champions Trophy in India, Gillespie yesterday impressed a 21,672 crowd with his ability to stop at the clock at 145km/h - making him easily the second quickest in the country to Shane Bond.
But no sooner had Gillespie put together three compelling overs, taking the wicket of Malinga Bandara in the process, than the 27-year-old was forced to pull up in his delivery stride, clutching his right knee.
Team officials believe the injury is a strain and are hopeful Gillespie will be available for tomorrow's opening one-dayer against Sri Lanka at Napier.
