Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to a meager 217 at innings break in the first semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at R Premadasa ICS in Colombo, Sri Lanka a short while ago.
New Zealand electing to bat first were given a tidy bowling attack by the Sri Lankans who displayed an improved performance in comparison to the quarterfinal encounter played last Saturday against England.
Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis bagged three scalps apiece and Muttiah Muralitharan playing in his final ODI on home soil ended with figures of 2 for 42.
Muralitharan claimed the priceless wicket of top-scorer Scott Styris (57) in the final delivery of his bowling spell, trapped lbw.
Sri Lanka needs to chase 218 to qualify for the final which will be played in Mumbai on Saturday (April 2) against the winner of the second semi-final match between arch rivals India and Pakistan.
New Zealand 217 all out (48.5) (Martin Guptill 38, Ross Taylor 36, Scott Styris 57, Kane Williamson 22, Lasith Malinga 3/55, Ajantha Mendis 3/35, Muttiah Muralitharan 2/42) vs Sri Lanka
New Zealand electing to bat first were given a tidy bowling attack by the Sri Lankans who displayed an improved performance in comparison to the quarterfinal encounter played last Saturday against England.
Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis bagged three scalps apiece and Muttiah Muralitharan playing in his final ODI on home soil ended with figures of 2 for 42.
Muralitharan claimed the priceless wicket of top-scorer Scott Styris (57) in the final delivery of his bowling spell, trapped lbw.
Sri Lanka needs to chase 218 to qualify for the final which will be played in Mumbai on Saturday (April 2) against the winner of the second semi-final match between arch rivals India and Pakistan.
New Zealand 217 all out (48.5) (Martin Guptill 38, Ross Taylor 36, Scott Styris 57, Kane Williamson 22, Lasith Malinga 3/55, Ajantha Mendis 3/35, Muttiah Muralitharan 2/42) vs Sri Lanka
