Sri Lanka steamrolled New Zealand in a Super 10 Match, and secured a berth in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. The feat was possible due to Rangana Herath, left arm spinner who gave only 3 runs for 5 wickets. The knock out match was turned on its head when Herath seized the opportunity to grab 5 wickets for 3 runs. His sensational spell was also coupled with his role in a run out. His contribution made it possible for Sri Lanka to defend a total of 119 only in their final group 1 game.
Today’s result made Sri Lanka finish on top of the Group 1 table, tying with South Africa at 6 points. They have been placed ahead of South Africa on the basis of net run rate. This marks the end of the team’s matches in the Super 10 section. The feat was achieved in the ZahurAhmen Chowdhury Stadium.
The team that Sri Lanka will be up against shall be decided after tomorrows match between Pakistan and West Indies, which will indicate the runners up for Group 2. India was the winner of Group 2 and will take on South Africa, the runner up of Group 1. The former match is to be held on 3rd April while the latter one will take place on 4th April. Both the games are to be held in Mirpur.
New Zealand’s fortunes took a browbeating after their star player Corey Anderson was rushed to the hospital for dislocating a finger while trying to catch the ball during Sri Lanka’s innings. Anderson did not come out to bat in the second innings. It seemed New Zealand had secured a spot in the semis as they were chasing a modest total of 120 runs. They began to a quick start by scoring 18 runs by the end of the second over.
The third over was handed over to Herath who worked his magic in the first ball itself. He caught the ball that was hit by Martin Guptill who ran for a single without receiving a response from fellow batsman Kane Williamson. Herath threw the ball back to Kumar Sangakkara the wicket keeper who dropped the bail within a blink.
Five balls later, Captain Brendan McCullum was also stumped out by Sangakkara as he had misjudged the ball’s delivery. In his second over, Herath dismissed Jimmy Neesham and Ross Taylor for zero runs in two back-to-back deliveries in the sixth over and New Zealand had to take two steps back.
New Zealand was at 23 runs for 4 wickets lost when Herath bowled two maiden overs. Senanayake, off spinner, claimed the wicket of Nathan McCullum which brought up the score tally to 33 for 6 for New Zealand.
On the side of New Zealand, Boult and Neesham both claimed 3 wickets apiece to topple over the top and bottom order of the Sri Lankan line up.
Don’t forget to tune into the nail biting matches of the T20 World Cup 2014 on your television set. To cheer team India in the semis, get your sports memorabilia quick!
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