Srilanka have sent a warning message to all other semifinalists by registering a convincing 4 wicket victory over New Zealand.
NewZealand batted first on a very tricky pitch and started disastrously losing Fleming(0) and Taylor(0) to Chaminda Vaas, who bowled brilliantly. New Zealand, who were 4/2 in the 3rd over, never seemed to dominate as the Srilankan bowlers bowled tighly and took regular breakthroughs. Scott Styris scored a brilliant 111not out and stood tall among the ruins. Apart from him, Fulton(28 runs), Oram(31 runs), and Franklin(25 not out) were the only batsmen to cross double figures.Srilanka exploited New Zealand's inability to play spinners as Muralitharan(3/32), Jayasuriya(0/44), and Dilshan(1/44) gave away just 120 runs in their 28 overs. New Zealand scored 219/7 in their 50 overs . Vaas was the star performer as he took 3 wickets for just 33 runs.
A target of 220 was never going to be enough provided Srilanka got off to a flying start. Srilanka started steadily losing Tharanga(11) in the 5th over, thanks a superb catch by Shane Bond in the deep. However Fleming dropped two difficult catches(Tharanga and Jayasuriya) and thus gave away the initial advantage to Srilanka, who accepted it gleefully. SriLanka were never put under pressure as Jayasuriya(64 runs) and Sangakkara put on a 100 run partnership. By the time, Jayasuriya got out in the 26th over, Srilanka were already cruising along. Sangakkara played patiently for his 69 not out, rotated the strike beautifully, hit some lovely boundaries, and led his side to victory. Srilanka romped home with 4 wickets and 29 balls to spare.
New Zealand must now win atleast one game in order to reach the semi-finals.
Highlights: Styris's Knock of 111 not out.
Jayasuriya's unusually controlled knock of 64(80 balls 5 fours and a six).
Chaminda Vaas's match haul of 3/33(9 overs). He took the first three New Zealand wickets, and thus swung the match in Srilanka's favor.
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