NZ vs SL: Sri Lanka warm-up for quarters with a massive win over Kiwis
Skipper Kumar Sangakkara struck his 11th one-day international century and Muttiah Muralitharan bagged four wickets as Sri Lanka warmed up for the knock-out stage with a 112-run victory over New Zealand in their final Group A fixture at the Wankhede Stadium here Friday.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara led from the front, scoring 111 as Sri Lanka made 265 for nine. Sangakkara moved past 9,000 one-day runs.
Thanks to some magical bowling from Murali, New Zealand, who were without captain Daniel Vettori for the Mumbai clash, were dismissed for a disappointing 153 in only 35 overs. Despite the loss they still progress to the quarter-final stage.
The win catapulted Sri Lanka to top spot ahead of Black Caps, Pakistan and Australia in Group A. But the final position will not be confirmed until the Aussies meet Shahid Afridi’s men in Colombo on Saturday.
McCullum (2-48) cleaned up Sangakkara in the 42nd over, but his innings, which included 12 boundaries and two sixes, had put Sri Lanka in a strong position.
Thilan Samaraweera (5), Chamara Silva (3), Nuwan Kulasekara (1) and Lasith Malinga (6) lost their wickets in a quest for quick runs as Sri Lanka slipped to 239-8 in a matter of six overs.
New Zealand never threatened the total despite a promising start from aggressive opening duo Brendan McCullum (14) and Martin Guptill (13).
Spin-king Murali (4-25) grabbed the ball and ripped the heart out of the New Zealand middle-order, despite suffering from an apparent hamstring injury.
Ajantha Mendis chipped in with the wicket of Ryder and victory was a formality with the Black Caps toiling on 102-6.
