|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
By Category |
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
India On Media |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| Cricket
News |
|
| Sri Lanka power into world final |
| Mahela Jayawardene's masterful maiden World Cup century led Sri Lanka into the World Cup final with an 81-run victory against New Zealand in Jamaica.
|
| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
, 24-April-2007
16:56:9 PM |
| The captain took 48 balls to strike his first boundary but paced his ninth one-day century expertly.
Sri Lanka scored 102 runs from the final 10 overs to amass 289-5.
Peter Fulton and Scott Styris shared 73 but five wickets fell for 11 runs in four overs as the Kiwis suffered a fifth World Cup semi-final defeat.
New Zealand needed a sound start and a magnificent spell from charismatic paceman Lasith Malinga ensured they did not get one.
Having nipped one back at pace to trap Stephen Fleming in the second over, he produced a succession of unplayable leg cutters that Ross Taylor and Fulton could only smile wistfully at as the ball fizzed past the outside edge.
In partnership with the economical Chaminda Vaas they left the Kiwis in turmoil and the first boundary did not materialise until the ninth over.
There was a brief period of respite when Malinga was taken off after a spell of 1-5 from four overs and Dilhara Fernando replaced him.
In his first over Fernando was twice warned for running down the wicket by Rudi Koertzen and bowled three no-balls.
Styris, with a century and four fifties already to his name in the tournament, despatched him for two sixes.
Malinga returned and had him well caught for 17 at mid-on by Muttiah Muralitharan, but no-ball was called and Styris and Fulton recorded their 50 stand from as many deliveries.
With dark clouds beginning to close in around Sabina Park, Sri Lanka were relieved to reach 20 overs, the point at which a result could be determined.
At that stage, however, the partnership had taken New Zealand only two runs behind the required Duckworth-Lewis rate.
Occasional spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan was introduced in the 22nd over and made the decisive breakthrough with his fifth ball, Styris chipping to mid-wicket.
But few could have predicted the severity of the collapse that was to follow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADVERTISEMENTS
Free offer!!! Become an administrator for your zip home page, "Post" local news (local to your postcode)& pictures, "Post" advertisement banners from local companies. Make Extra money.
|
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
