Sri Lanka spin and struggle into final

Thilan Samaraweera (right) and the runner of Angelo Mathews (not in picture) Mahela Jayawardene celebrate their team's win against New Zealand. REUTERS picture Andrew Caballero-Reynolds

Sri Lanka marked Muttiah Muralitharan’s last appearance in an international on home soil with a five wicket World Cup semi final victory over New Zealand at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday, a painstaking struggle after the top four batsmen were dismissed and raised questions about their ability to provide a genuine challenge to Pakistan or India in the final in Mumbai on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 218 under lights, Sri Lanka were cruising on 161 for 1, but a flurry of wickets which resulted in three crucial wickets falling within four overs, made the locals fumble and falter, before finally making it home with 2.5 overs to spare.

It all started when Tillekeratne Dilshan was caught in the covers after the in-form opener blazed his way to a typically aggressive 73 in 93 balls in the 34th over.

Dilshan hammered a six and ten boundaries while his exit looked inconsequential as his skipper Kumar Sangakkara who shared a 120-run second wicket stand was still at the crease. But Mahela Jayawardene who replaced Dilshan lasted just three balls and was dismissed for one while Sangakkara’s dismissal three overs later, turned the proceedings on its head.

Sangakkara made 54 off 79 balls with seven boundaries and a six while his exit exposed Sri Lanka’s pathetic middle order.

Chamara Silva and Tilan Samaraweera both struggled even to score singles as New Zealand smelling a kill began tightening screws. The pair added 26 runs in seven overs before Silva was bowled by Tim Southee for 13 in the 43rd over.

Allrounder Angelo Mathews who pulled a hamstring while fielding came into bat with a runner, and was largely instrumental in helping them scamper home thanks to some big hits which came after the batting power-play was taken in the 45th over.

Mathews hit a six and a four off Southee in making 14 off 18 while Samaraweera made 23 not out off 38 balls.

Earlier opener Upul Tharanga smashed one six and four fours in making 30 off 31 balls while paceman Southee bagged three wickets to improve his tally of the tournament to 18 wickets in eight matches.

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