Sri Lanka in Finals Of World Cup 2011 With Tense Win

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 at 5:40 am , filed under World Cup 2011 by Bowman Michael

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Sri Lanka won by five wickets and 13 balls remaining in the first semi-final of ICC World Cup 2011. Sri Lanka and New Zealand clash seemed to be one sided but turned into tense game and proved to worth full semis match.

New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first. Kiwis made one to the playing eleven Andy Mckay come in place of Luke Woodcock. Sri Lanka opted with Muttiah Muralitharan though he was not full fit with his injury. Sri Lanka continued their winning team from the past game.

New Zealand opened their innings with Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum, McCullum (13) looking for quick runs upfront was cleaned up by a low kept delivery from Herath. Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder consolidated the Kiwi innings with 37 runs for the second wicket. Ryder (19) edged one of Murali bowling and Guptill (39) was out to Malinga’s trademark yorker. Ross Taylor and Scott Styris added 77 runs for fourth wicket; this is highest partnership in the New Zealand.

Ross Taylor (36) who had played against natural game was dismissed in search of quick runs. Scott Styris (57) has scored much needed half century; Kane Williamson (22) played a useful knock, but could not able to play for complete 50 overs. Kiwi lost their way as they lost their tail-enders very cheaply and were bowled out for 217 in 48.5 overs.

Sri Lanka bowling has gone with different strategy fast bowler opened the innings for one over spell and went with spinners and slow pacers. Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis have bagged three wickets each. Muttiah Muralitharan has taken two wickets and Herath and Dilshan ended up picking a wicket each.

Sri Lanka openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan have continued their good form. Tharanga (30) was the first one to go but off to a superb catch by Ryder. Sangakkara and Dilshan has played wonderfully to place their team in a strong position. Dilshan (73) was departed by Southee and the Lanka batsmen fumble started there, they lost two more key wickets of Jayawardene (1) and Sangakkara (54) in the space of 9 runs.

New Zealand bowlers turned the pressure back to Sri Lanka, but the cool heads of Thilan Samaraweera (23) and Angelo Mathews (14) remained not out to seal win over New Zealand. Samaraweera hit the winning runs and now they will travel to Mumbai to play the finals of ICC World Cup 2011.

New Zealand bowling attack, Daniel Vettori tried his heart out but failed to rewrite history to make it to the finals. Tim Southee has taken three wickets, Daniel Vettori and Andy Mckay has settled with one wicket.

Kumara Sangakkara 54 was adjudged as the Man of the Match for his responsible innings. Sri Lanka will be facing winners of today’s second semi-final game between India and Pakistan.

The finals of ICC World Cup 2011 will be held on 2nd April, 2011 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

"Sri Lanka vs New Zealand"