ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: Sri Lanka Defeat New Zealand to Reach Final

Sri Lanka survived some late wickets to come through their ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Semi Final against New Zealand, to book a place in the Final, by winning by 5 wickets in Colombo RPS on Tuesday 29th March 2011.

New Zealand set a total of 217 All Out from 48.5 Overs, to which Sri Lanka looked on course to respond easily, as Dilshan (73) and Sangakkara (54) batting at 2 and 3 got them off to a good start. However, despite a late run of New Zealand wickets, Sri Lanka held on to reach 220 for 5 in 47.5 overs, with a couple of overs to spare.

New Zealand’s batsmen were curtailed by good spells of bowling from the Sri Lankan bowlers who’s names begin with the letter ‘m’: Malinga and Medis took three wickets each, while the mercurial Muralitharan also took a brace of wickets from his allotment of 10 overs. Only Styris (57) made more than a half century for the Kiwis in a innings where many got a start, but the Sri Lankan attack always seemed to pick off batsmen just as they looked to be getting comfortable.

In response, openers Tharanga (30) and Dilshan (73) did well, and, when Southee took Tharanga, caught Ryder, up stepped Sangakkara (54) to make an important half century.

However, when Dilshan fell, the score went from 160 for 1 to 169 for 4 very quickly, and Sri Lanka fans had to be thankful for a steadying innings from Samaraweera (23 Not Out) and Matthews (14 Not Out) who brought the match home, despite Silva (13) being bowled by Southee, who was New Zealand’s most effective bowler amassing 3 wickets for 57 runs from his 10 overs.

When Southee and Vettori ran out of overs, however, New Zealand looked a little short of options, and so it would prove, as Sri Lanka reached and passed their total with 13 balls remaining.

The result means that New Zealand have now reached six ICC Cricket World Cup semi finals – and won none of them. Sri Lanka will face the winners of tomorrow’s huge semi final between India and Pakistan in the Final on 2nd April, in Mumbai.
New Zealand v Sri Lanka – ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Semi-Final Scorecard
New Zealand 1st Innings Runs Balls 4s 6s
Guptill b Malinga 39 65 3 0
B McCullum b Herath 13 21 1 1
Ryder c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 19 34 2 0
Taylor c Tharanga b Mendis 36 55 1 0
Styris lbw b Muralitharan 57 77 5 0
Williamson lbw b Malinga 22 16 3 0
N McCullum c Sangakkara b Malinga 9 9 0 1
Oram c M Jayawardene b Dilshan 7 9 1 0
Vettori not out 3 3 0 0
Southee c Sangakkara b Mendis 0 3 0 0
McKay b Mendis 0 2 0 0
Extras 1nb 6w 5lb 12
Total all out 217 (48.5 ovs)

-
Sri Lanka Bowlers O M R W
Malinga 9 0 55 3
Herath 9 1 31 1
Mathews 6 0 27 0
Mendis 9.5 0 35 3
Muralitharan 10 1 42 2
Dilshan 5 0 22 1

-
Sri Lanka 1st Innings Runs Balls 4s 6s
Tharanga c Ryder b Southee 30 31 4 1
Dilshan c Ryder b Southee 73 93 10 1
Sangakkara c Styris b McKay 54 79 7 1
M Jayawardene lbw b Vettori 1 3 0 0
Samaraweera not out 23 38 3 0
Silva b Southee 13 25 2 0
Mathews not out 14 18 1 1
Extras 10w 2lb 12
Total for 5 220 (47.5 ovs)

-
New Zealand Bowlers O M R W
N McCullum 6 0 33 0
Southee 10 2 57 3
Vettori 10 0 36 1
Oram 8 1 29 0
McKay 9.5 1 37 1
Styris 2 0 12 0
Ryder 2 0 14 0

ICC allows news channels access to Ind-Pak match

The deadlock between electronic media and ICC over coverage of Wednesday's Indo-Pak World Cup cricket semifinal got resolved on Tuesday, following a request from the Indian Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ambika Soni.

Ambika Soni proposed a 24-hour 'truce' in a dispute created by Indian non-rights holders (NRH) breaching the terms and conditions they had agreed to follow when they were awarded accreditation for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said, "Ms Soni had written to ICC President Sharad Pawar and asked for the television channels be allowed access into the ground at Mohali for this important game. At the same time she agreed to convene a meeting at the Ministry on 31 March 2011 to address the dispute which has been caused by repeated and serious breaches of the terms and conditions which these organisations had signed up to."

"I am grateful for the minister's intervention in calling a meeting but I must repeat that we are committed to protecting the rights and investments of our broadcast partners as well as the exclusivity of our commercial partners. We will not allow that to be compromised and if the relevant members of the News Broadcasters' Association are not willing to give the necessary undertakings we require, we will have no other option but to withdraw accreditation for the final in Mumbai," Lorgat said.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final: India v Pakistan

Venue: Mohali Date: Wednesday, 30 March (1000 BST)
Coverage: Highlights on BBC Two (see listings), Red Button & online at 2200 GMT (UK only); live Test Match Special commentary (BBC 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and online); text commentary online and mobiles; live on Sky Sports

Afridi and Yuvraj have played to their true potential during the World Cup

By Sam Sheringham

Wednesday's titanic semi-final between India and Pakistan could hinge on the contest between two great entertainers who have reinvented themselves as ruthlessly efficient performers at this World Cup.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh have often been derided as "Hollywood" cricketers, capable of turning on the style when conditions suit them, but just as likely to go missing when their teams need them most.
However, by curbing some of their natural instincts and performing with a new maturity, the duo have taken their games to new heights.

SHAHID AFRIDI

Shahid 'Boom Boom' Afridi earned his nickname for smashing the ball out of the ground with a ferocity and regularity the game had rarely seen.
These days the big scores are few and far between, but the Pakistan captain's capacity to make an explosive impact on games make his moniker as fitting as ever.
Now it is the show-stopping quality of Afridi's bowling that is clearing the bars.

Highlights - Pakistan power past West Indies

In seven matches at the 2011 Cricket World Cup, he has taken 21 wickets at a staggering average of 10.71.
Having only taken four or more wickets on five occasions 312 one-day internationals, he has achieved the feat four times in seven matches at the tournament.
His ability to intersperse conventional leg-spinners with googlies, top-spinners and quicker deliveries on the slow, low, wickets of the subcontinent have rendered him nigh-on unplayable and been the single biggest factor in Pakistan's run to the semi-finals.
Afridi's combination with paceman Umar Gul, who has 14 wickets, has helped the side overcome the shortcomings of an inconsistent batting line-up to beat Sri Lanka, Australia and the West Indies en route to the last four.
With his constant flow of wickets, Afridi has largely led by example, but his leadership has also caught the eye for the way he has galvanised a notoriously fractious squad and imbued them with more energy and efficiency in the field.
"Everybody is standing behind him at the World Cup," said Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq.
"I think there are always differences in opinion but we always talk to the captain about what he thinks. He's really good at that.
"He listens to the players, especially the senior players and the coaches, we just decide everything with a good co-ordination, and that's why everything is going well and the team is performing well. It's a big thing actually."
Originally selected for Pakistan in 1996 as a leg-spinning all-rounder, Afridi shot to fame at the tender age of 16 with the fastest one-day hundred off 37 balls in his first international innings.
A compulsive slogger, he has hit the highest-number of sixes in the history of one-day cricket and three of the seven fastest centuries.
But while his batting has always been inconsistent and is showing signs of terminal decline - he has just one fifty in his last 21 innings and a tournament average of 10.83 - as a bowler he is undoubtedly at the peak of his powers.
Having declared in 2009 that he was a bowler first and a batsman second, he has become an undisputed master of his craft, as anyone who witnessed his devastating bursts against Kenya, Sri Lanka, Canada and the West Indies would testify.
The one worry for Pakistan would be Afridi's record against India, whose batsmen are notorious for their mastery of spin bowling.
In 63 matches against their arch-rivals, he has 38 wickets at a decidedly ordinary average of 55.50.

YUVRAJ SINGH

England fans will remember Yuvraj Singh as the man who gave Stuart Broad an unforgettable lesson in just how tough international cricket can be.
In launching the fresh-faced seamer for six sixes in an over at the 2007 World Twenty20, India's middle order mauler showed his immense talent for taking attacks apart.
Indeed, Yuvraj has long been recognised as one of the most exciting and destructive performers in the game, as a tally of 216 sixes in international cricket and a Twenty20 strike-rate in excess of 150 would confirm.

India too strong despite Ponting ton

As with many players of his ilk, Yuvraj's undoing has tended to be the absence of a Plan B in bowler-friendly conditions, and a run of low scores saw him dropped from the India side for the first time last year.
Perhaps it was the wake-up call he needed because something has come over Yuvraj at this World Cup and India are reaping the rewards.
In curbing his instinct to go after every ball, he has converted himself into India's "Mr Dependable", judging the pace of a run chase to see him team to victory in a manner that has drawn comparisons with Michael Bevan, Australia's former master finisher.
Although free-scoring openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar have been grabbing the headlines, Yuvraj has played an influential role in four of Indies five victories at the tournament.
In the group games against Ireland and the Netherlands, he entered the fray with India wobbling and steered them over the line with measured fifties, while against the Windies he lifted an otherwise indifferent batting display with an imperious 113.

my responsibility is to bat till the end whether we are batting first or chasing a target Yuvraj Singh

But the left-hander's finest hour came in the quarter-final against Australia after India had been reduced to 187-5 chasing 261 on a slow Ahmedabad track.
Aided by Suresh Raina in a partnership of 74, Yuvraj struck a match-winning unbeaten 57, sealing India's place in the last four by cracking a Brett Lee yorker through the covers for four.
"Finishing a game gives me a lot of confidence going into the next match," said Yuvraj, who has also taken 11 wickets with his left-arm spin.
"I'm just happy about how I am hitting the ball, my responsibility is to bat till the end whether we are batting first or chasing a target."
Overall, Yuvraj has struck 341 runs in six matches, with one hundred and four fifties at a staggering average of 113.66.
And with Wednesday's showdown taking place at Yuvraj's home ground of Mohali, few would bet against another influential display from India's man of the moment.

India-Pakistan clash could be most watched match ever

The cricket diplomacy plus the frenzy can turn Wednesday's semi-final match between India and Pakistan at Mohali as one of the most watched cricket matches ever. The hype and the brouhaha over the match could help ESPN-Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the ICC cricket World Cup, earn more tha
n 40 television viewership rating points. A rating point means about 1.5 crore people have watched the programme live on that day.

"We expect between 60-80 crore Indians to watch the live telecast," said an official of an advertising agency, who has booked the available space, despite the prices being jacked, for advertisement both on ESPN-Star Sports and Doordarshan for the match. 

India-Pakistan cricket matches have always been highly watched.

The 2003 World Cup pool match between India and Pakistan in South Africa, considered a classic one-day clash, got peak television rating of 32.45 in India, highest for any cricket match India had played since the rating systems was introduced.

The number of people, who watched the match, was over three times the viewers for other 2003 world cup matches.

"On an average 40 crore people were glued to television sets in 2003 when reach of television was much less," an official with sports broadcasting company said. 

Such a craze for a cricket match was not witnessed ever again though India and Pakistan clashed again in 2007 T-20 World Cup. It got a television rating 9.5, just a point higher than other matches, says the data provided by Television Audience and Measurement (TAM), a company in the business of measuring performance of television programmes.

The mass following of India-Pakistan match as compared to others can be gauged from the fact that the highest watched cricket game in 2011 World Cup was the quarter final between India and Australia played in Ahemdabad last Thursday.

The match earned 6.53 rating and was watched by over nine crore people. On average, matches in the 2011 world cup had got rating of 4.12.

The titanic semi-final match will be different ball game.

"Much will depend on performance of the team that bats first," the broadcaster said.

New Zealand v Sri Lanka live match update ICC world cup 2011

After 20.4 overs the ongoing battle between Sri Lanka and New Zealand hangs as Sri Lanka’s side managed to pick up two vital wickets of Brendon McCullum and Jessie Ryder. Brendon McCullum scored only 13 runs of 21 deliveries. After sending both players to the pavilion, the Lankan tigers are playing their hearts out on the field. Up till now they have successfully pushed back the Kiwis batsmen with a total score of 76 runs for the loss of 2 wickets after 20.4 overs.

Kiwi skipper, Daniel Vettori called the right side of the coin and elected to put runs on board, as it becomes difficult to chase runs under the lights in Colombo.

Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum opened the innings for the Black Caps. McCullum, unfortunately, let the Sri Lankan bowlers get under his skin, and finally lost his wicket  at a total of 32 runs, to Rangana Herath in frustration.

Mr. dependable, Jessie Ryder stepped in next.

With the arrival of Jesse Ryder on the crease, Guptill and Ryder began a series of irresponsible shots, but primarily only to engineer a partnership that was much needed at this stage of the game. Together they established a partnership of 56 runs, which included some impressive shots from Guptill, who maturely steered the kiwi ship. His innings till now include 3 fours’.

After making 69 runs, New Zealand lost Jesse Ryder’s wicket at the hands of spin wizard, Muttiah Muralitharan in his first over of the innings.  Ryder managed to score only 19 runs of 34 balls. Kumar Sangakkara caught the valuable Jesse Ryder behind the stumps.

Sri Lanka up till now has been successful in putting pressure on the Kiwi batsmen. Their spearheads, Herath, Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga have been performing up to their required potential.

The pitch seems to be lucrative for the spinners. Colombo’s weather is warm and will test the physical fitness of both sides in the later hours of the innings. Crowd in the stadium is cheering the home team and wants them to win the penultimate round of this prestigious competition.

The pitch’s potential for spin indicates the Black Caps dependence on their veteran spinner and Captain, Danial Vettori. Kiwis have replaced their young talent Luke woodcock with another young player, AJ McKay, who has been impressive in their domestic cricket circuit.

All eyes are on Muttiah Muralitharan who is playing his last World Cup and his fans are expecting some breathtaking farewell performance from his end.

ICC Cricket World Cup: New Zealand collapse as Sri Lanka chase 218 to win

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

Model Poonam Pandey to go nude if India wins Cup

Some fans pour milk on cut-outs of their favourite cricketers, some hold chain prayer meetings for divine intervention during the Indo-Pak epic semifinal clash on Wednesday at Mohali, while there are still others who vow to shed all their clothes if India lifts the World Cup trophy.

Model and cricket fan Poonam Pandey has promised to strip naked in the view of thousands if India wins the Mohali semifinal against Pakistan and eventually lifts the Cup, though she is also open to a players' dressing room peep show if the Indian cricket board permits it, reports said. 

The Kingfisher Calender girl's intention to bare all is bound to pile on additional pressure on the Indian cricket team already coping with mounting crowd expectations at home, not having won the Cup since 1983. 

Poonam recently started a fan page on Facebook to cheer the Indian team. She follows in the footsteps of Paraguay's Larissa Riquelme and Argentinian Luciane Salazar who promised to strip if their football teams won the FIFA World Cup.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Live Cricket Scores and Updates

A six in the first over, a four in the second, and another boundary… Sri Lanka means serious business. 18/0 in 2 overs. Cur RR: 9.00 Req RR:4.16 – and btw, Tharanga has become the first batsman to hit 50 boundaries in this World Cup.

Back for the chase, and I expect a short fight. 217 is not a bad score against a less worthy opponent. But against Sri Lanka today… it’s simply not enough. NZ will count a lot on their bowlers.

217 ALL  OUT – Sri Lanka has dealt an amazing blow to New Zealand. If Sri Lanka plays like this in the final – NO ONE, I mean NO ONE can beat them.

Another Wicket GONE 9 down, New Zealand is in flames now Andy McKay is the last man in for New Zealand – can they bat out their last wicket?

J Oram OUT on a long one  NZ 215/8 in 47.4 overs no one dropping the ball today for SL

Tillakaratne Dilshan replaces Malinga from the Maligawatte End now the match takes on a new complexion

NZ 213/7 in 47 overs Styris does NZ proud – half century plus 7 on 77 balls

OUT another wicket gone!

Styris may be out – hold on!

NZ 210/6 in 46 overs

McCullum OUT already – Orum with a FOUR

NZ 192/5 in 44 overs



Williamson OUT Malinga continues to stifle NZ  NZ 192/5 in 43.3 overs

Brilliant bit of fielding saves a certain boundary – Sri Lanka has been flawless

NZ 190/4 in 43 overs

Malinga likes to inflict damage on batsmen. Yet this time, the batsman wins. FOUR. Williamson won the confrontation now. NZ 175/4 in 41.4 overs, followed by a no ball at 41.5: NZ 179/4. 42 over 180/4 with 8 overs to go.

NZ 165/4 in 40 overs

Taylor IS GONE! Nathan McCullum walks out to take his place

NZ 161/3 in 39 overs 11 to go until the chase

NZ 159/3 in 38 overs

To the boundary, held off by a great diving effort, 3 runs instead of 4



NZ 153/3 in 37 overs

14 Overs to go and its NZ 149/3 at the current rate NZ may not break 210 – a virtual death sentence RR is 4.13 times 14 – do the math

Styris with a FOUR!

NZ 142/3 in 35 overs

NZ 139/3

33.5 One

33.4 No Run

No Run – No Run – then Taylor with One



So uneventful – its as if New Zealand is asleep, or not even playing?? NZ 137/3 in 33 overs

Styris with a FOUR - too few and far between though – NZ 130/3 in 31.5 overs

NZ ProblemNZ 124/3 in 31 overs – NZ has a huge problem – it looks like a case of Malinga-itis!

NZ 122/3 in 30 overs The RR is still low – NZ need a boost soon or it could be curtains – even the commentators say a minimum of 250 is needed.

NZ 102/3 in 26 overs two FOURS helped some

NZ 93/3 in 25 overs

NZ 90/3 in 24 overs NZ is running out of time – and SL only looks stronger

NZ 84/3 in 23 overs

Malinga now has the NZ batsmen totally stymied – what a performance

Malinga is unbelieveable! What an artist – OUT with a clean bowl!

Off the outside edge FOUR!

NZ 83/2 in 21.1 overs

NZ 74/2 in 20 overs

NZ 72/2 in 19 overs

Ryder is OUT! NZ 69/2 in 18.3 overs Two wickets down now – it is not looking good for NZ

NZ 68/1 in 18 overs

NZ 67/1 in 17 overs If NZ does not pick up the pace it is going to be a long day for the kiwis

The last few overs, NZ has only a 1.16 RR – at this rate SL will overtake their score with ease.

NZ 62/1 in 16 overs

NZ 60/1 in 15 overs RR down to 4.0

NZ 58/1 in 14 overs

NZ 42/1 in 11 overs

The commentators are spot on in their discussion. NZ cannot coast through 220 and defeat SL. They have to be more aggressive, it’s all or nothing time.

NZ 38/1 in 10 overs

NZ 37/1 in 9 overs Do you feel it? I do

NZ 35/1 in 8.1 overs

And just like that McCullum OUT! NZ 32/1 in 7.1 overs

NZ 32/0 in 7 overs RR is 4.57

Outstanding start by the Kiwis so far, just under a 5.0 run rate going on

NZ 29/0 in 6 overs

And a leg bye

SIX - a massive shot to start off

NZ 20/0 in 5 overs like clockwork New Zealand hammers out a 4.0 run rate so far.

NZ 16/0 in 4 overs Malinga seems to have found the range

NZ 16/0 in 3 overs

A cheap shot FOUR, rolls into the boundary

NZ 10/0 in 2 overs

One and One and No Run

FOUR straight out.
NZ 4/0 in one over

And a FOUR straight down to the boundary

NO RUN and NO RUN and NO RUN

Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum
Here we go - so much anticipation from the crowd – Malinga is out there – 24 years old and on top of the world of cricket now.
Castrol Index has Sri Lanka at 65 percent over NZ

And the crowd is on its feet – seconds away from the 1st of the ICC semi’s

The Sri Lanka fellows all lined up for their country’s wonderful anthem – uplifting
The proud New Zealand boys, what a beautiful anthem the Kiwis have!
Seconds away – hold on to your office cubicle :O) The ANTHEMS

A chance of showers in Columbo, the world crosses its fingers – the commentators are describing the ground now. Evidently the ground seems a bit slow according to the expert commentary.

In Columbo, this is the biggest match ever at the home stadium, if Sri Lanka wins – it will be their first EVER time in the finals – the stadium is doing more than buzzing, it is shaking. No amount of money can buy a set here today now. This ICC World Cup has had more surprises than anyone ever imagined. Can New Zealand pull off anther work of magic? The safe money is on Sri Lanka continuing their winning ways – in a moment the bowling starts.

One win from Mumbai, two teams now battle for the right to fight for the coveted World Cup of Cricket – this is it!

New Zealand has won the toss and has elected to bat first! Here we go!

Welcome! We are watching Sri Lanka versus England recap until the coin toss of today’s match – stand by for the coin toss.
In a few moments Sri Lanka will take on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Regardless who plays tomorrow, all the eyes in the world of this sport are on R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo at this moment.

Both these teams have exhibited their own kind of magic in this tournament, now one gets to prove they have the heart to meet either Pakistan or India in the final. Stay with us for the live play by play, or link to the live streams below and stream the game.
Cosmic Clashes

We have not had to offer so much by way of analysis during this tournament. And there is no reason to over analyze todays matchup either. The die is cast already. Sri Lanka’s bowling and fielding versus New Zealand’s heavy bats – that sounds about right, except for two interesting points – Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan. All the experts are spouting off about the “classic” duel of spinners versus batsmen – but against England Sri Lanka’s fielding fell down, it was two, let me say it again TWO Centuries that swept England back home for fish and chips.

Not discounting New Zealand here, they worked their own brand of wizardry on Australia. Interestingly, at bat was a team effort and bowling had as much to do with South Africa’s downfall as anything. Enough said about the relative strengths and weaknesses. This is cricket, and anything can happen. What I love most about the sport is the “heart” factor (I call it). Players seem to come through in the clinch regardless of yesterdays metrics.

I won’t be going too far out on a limb in predicting Sri Lanka by a nose today. They are favored, but the reason I feel they will prevail actually has little to do with their stats, or New Zealand’s for that matter. There was just something in the way Tharanga and Dilshan carried themselves the other day – call it cosmic, I don’t care – they will do it again.
Stream It If You Can

Again for our readers who want to watch the game online, here are a few websites providing live streaming, live scorecards and updates: ESPNstar.asia (live streaming available only in Asian countries), Crictime.com (site for live streaming, broadcasting on four different servers) and ESPN3.com (ideal for US viewers). Willow TV is also an official online broadcaster in the United States. Our most recent feed came via a very nice mail from someone who created a nice feed here called CricZero. Fans in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland can watch the game via BSkyB. A complete list of 2011 Cricket World Cup broadcasting rights can be found via Wikipedia, or at Yahoo! Sports, in *pdf format.
The likely starting teams:

Sri Lanka: Tillakarathne Dilshan, Upul Thanranga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thillan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan.

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Luke Woodcock, Tim Southee.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Update: NZ 76/2 in 20 overs

The first semi final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is played here at R Premadas Stadium, Colombo where Sri Lanka able to dry out the runs as New Zealand batsmen finding it difficult to score free runs against Herath, Mendis and Muralitharan.

Martin Guptill. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

Muttiah Muralitharan took a big wicket in his third over when Ryder (19) got out while playing a cut short. New Zealand only managed to score 36 runs in last 10 overs and lost another important wicket.

The Black Caps best batting pair Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill were on the crease and looking to build partnership. On the other hand, Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara was brilliant with his bowling changes and field placing as Sri Lanka had the upper hand after 20 overs of the first semi final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Statistical highlights: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

Statistical highlights of the Group A World Cup match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

# New Zealand (153) recorded their lowest total against Sri Lanka at the World Cup, surpassing the 181 at Derby on June 18, 1983.

# New Zealand's total is their fourth lowest at the World Cup - their lowest being 112 against Australia at Port Elizabeth on March 11, 2003.

# Mahela Jayawardene's 56th half-century in ODIs is his fourth against New Zealand.

# Jayawardene has aggregated 9000 runs for Sri Lanka -9050 at an average of 32.32 in 333 matches. His overall run-aggregate is 9319 (ave.32.81) in 338 matches.

# Jayawardene has posted his fifth World Cup fifty.

# Kumar Sangakkara received his 18th Man of the Match award in ODIs - his first at the World Cup.

# Sangakkara is the first wicketkeeper to affect 10 stumpings in the World Cup.

# Ross Taylor recorded 13 sixes - the most in the 2011 edition of the World Cup.

# Tim Southee has taken 14 wickets (ave.15.07) in six matches - the most for New Zealand in the 2011 edition of the World Cup.

# Sri Lanka's 112-run win is their largest by runs margin over New Zealand, surpassing the 81-run triumph at Kingston on April 24, 2007.

# Muttiah Muralitharan's 4 for 25 is his best against a Test-playing country at the World Cup - his second best at the World Cup, his best being 4 for 19 against Ireland at St.George's on April 18, 2007.

# Sangakkara completed his 9000 runs in ODIs, amassing 9062 at an average of 37.91 in 288 matches. His run-aggregate includes eleven hundreds and 61 fifties in 288 matches.

# Sangakkara's first century as captain in ODIs is his first against New Zealand in ODIs.

# Sangakkara's 111 off 128 balls is his best at the World Cup.

# Sangakkara is the first wicketkeeper/captain to post a hundred at the World Cup, surpassing his own record of 92 aginast Canada at Hambantota on February 20, 2011.

# With a century and two dismissals, Sangakkara became the first wicketkeeper/captain to register the double at the World Cup.

# Sangakkara became the third Sri Lankan captain to post a hundred at the World Cup, joining Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene.

# Sangakkara became the 14th batsman and the fourth Sri Lankan after Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva and Jayawardene to complete 9000 runs or more in ODIs.

ICC Cricket 2011 World cup SL VS NZ Semi Final Live Streaming Online

ICC Cricket 2011 World cup SL VS NZ Semi Final Live Streaming Online

Semi-Final Espn live Streaming SL Vs NZ live Cricket telecast at Espn From Colombo at 14:00 local(9:00GMT).ICC Cricket World Cup 1st Semi- Final Match will Be Play Between SL Vs NZ at Colombo.Srilanka beat Englnad in Quarter Final match,Srilanka take Advantage of Home ground in today semi-Final Match.

Semi-Final of 2011 World Cup Race Begins from Today ,there are Four Teams In Semi-finals Team are India ,Pakistan,Srilanka and New Zealand.Semi-finals matches Schedule 1st Semi-final Play between Srilanka Vs New Zealand on 29th March at Colombo From 14:00 Local(9:00GMT).2nd Semi-Final Play Between India vs Pakistan at Mohali From 14:00 local (9:00GMT).those Team win they will play Final Match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

India Vs Pakistan Match Will be Interesting Tommorow at Mohali,Cricket fans also book Ticket India vs pakistan 2nd Semi-final Match of Cricket World Cup 2011 From Given Below the Direct Link .Srilanka Vs New Zealand Both Team Give theri 100% on the Field Today and Try to Win the Match and Enter in Finals Of 2011 Cricket World Cup .

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live - stream ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

More than 20 million watch Americans Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live have multiple ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Social Security numbers online (SSNs) associated score with their highlights name in commercial records according to a new study announced in December from ID Analytics, Inc. The study found that rather than serving as a unique identifier, more than 40 million SSNs are associated with multiple people.

6.1 percent of Americans have at least two SSNs associated with their name. More than 100,000 Americans have five or more SSNs associated with their name.

Dr. Stephen Coggeshall, chief technology officer, at ID Analytics said. “Most of these cases of duplication are likely due to simple data entry errors as opposed to deliberate falsification. Nevertheless, organizations expose themselves and their customers to risk if they solely rely on the SSN to verify an individual.”

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

Watch Cricket World Cup 2011 online live - stream here

ID Analytics analyzed 290 million Social Security numbers, and found that 1 in 7 are associated with more than one name. Anywhere from 3-4 million names are directly used to commit fraud.

MSNBC reported the same study showed 140,000 SSNs are connected to 5 or more people and 27,000 SSNs are connected to 10 or more people.

Some of these secondary SSNs are the result of typos where an administrator may incorrectly enter a digit and then that secondary SSN is now connected to a person’s credit going forward.

In other cases it is deliberate fraud. When the same person is shown using multiple Social Security numbers on purpose then a flag is raised.

Consumers often find out their SSN is compromised as a result of being denied credit or when bill collectors call them for non payment.

Watch Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Cricket World Cup 2011 online free live - stream

Watch Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st Semifinal Live Cricket Streaming 2011

A Most awaited and exited thrilling match of IND vs PAK Semifinal match Tomorrow. Before that the game Sri Lanka play for thier victory to go final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 agains New Zealand. More chance Sri Lanka. Schedule time of Match is 14:30 Local Time The match is schedule to be played on Mar 29, 2011. The schedule match would be which was the favorite to lift the trophy at the start of the tournament.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live match will be telecaster most of the national channel of south Asia. Besides this lot of channel like ESPN, STARPORTS, STAR CRICKET etc will show this two event with final match. Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live Streaming Free Game Online On PC. Watch Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live 1st Semifinal Match in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 on Tues Day here in colombo.

the home team can be expected to have an easy ride to the final. Now, if only cricket was that rational a sport. Catch the action of World Cup 2011 matches LIVE and ONLINE at Most awaited and exited match of cricket is IND vs PAK. Before that game.

Sri Lanka vs NewZealand (SL VS NZ) Live Score, Streaming of 1st Semi-Final : World Cup 2011

Watch here online SriLanka vs NewZealand (SL VS NZ) Live Score, Streaming of 1st Semi-Final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Mar 29, 2011. Checkout here for SriLanka vs NewZealand (SL VS NZ) Live Score, Streaming online as New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to bat in SL VS NZ Toss.

Teams:

Sri Lanka Team: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara(w/c), Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath

New Zealand Team: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum(w), Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Kane Williamson, Daniel Vettori(c), Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Andy McKay

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (SL VS NZ) Live Match details:
Toss New Zealand, who chose to bat
Player of the match tba
Umpires Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and SJ Davis (Australia)
TV umpire M Erasmus (South Africa)
Match referee BC Broad (England)
Reserve umpire BR Doctrove (West Indies)

ICC Cricket 2011 World cup SL VS NZ Semi Final Live Streaming Online can be watched here as Semi-Final of 2011 World Cup began from Today as there are Four Teams In Semi-finals those are India, Pakistan, Srilanka and New Zealand. Some websites like espnstar cricket live, espn star live provide ball by ball commentary and scorecard.

ICC Cricket 2011 World cup SL VS NZ Semi Final Live Streaming Online can be watched here as Semi-Final of 2011 World Cup began from Today as there are Four Teams In Semi-finals those are India, Pakistan, Srilanka and New Zealand. 1st Semi-final Play between Srilanka Vs New Zealand started today on 29th March at Colombo From 14:00 Local(9:00GMT) and 2nd Semi-Final between India vs Pakistan at Mohali Stadium will be on March 30, 2011 from 14:00 local (9:00GMT).

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live streaming online ICC Cricket World Cup 1st Semi-Final Match

Watch Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live streaming online ICC Cricket World Cup 1st Semi-Final Match on your pc on 29 March .09:00 GMT | 14:30 Local .15:00 BDT.Sri Lanka will face New Zealand Cricket world cup 2011 Semi Final match on 29 March at Colombo. SL vs Nz is 1st Semi final of this World Cup 2011 and both teams want to reach into Final but its a tough match for both sides. Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live semi Final match will be played on 29 march at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. All updates about this match will be provided here.

Match schedule
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live
ICC Cricket World Cup
1st Semi-Final Match
29.03.2011
time:09:00 GMT | 14:30 Local
15:00 BDT
Repeat/live

Watch and Enjoy  ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 games on satellite TV, cable TV, pay per view in HD to the PC Internet. The cricket fans do not miss the links to get the site http://iporesult.info/. Cricket Dreamers and lovers to watch Cricket Match Sri Lanka vs New Zealand live on your PC and Feel Free. So guys, can not follow the competition on your live TV, do not worry, it can have a look at online games from your PC to listen. Well sports fans do not leave him alone to watch live online on the same.

This time Sri Lanka have more important because this time Srilanka also a part of Hosts in Cricket World Cup 2011. So its more pressure to won but also some plus points also there like home grounds and Crowds favor is play a vital role in Victory and high morale ofcricket players.

India v Pakistan: Shahid Afridi plays underdog as Shoaib Akhtar remains a doubt for Cricket World Cup semi-final

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes his team have punched above their weight to reach a World Cup semi-final in which India are favourites, especially as paceman Shoaib Akhtar remains a doubt for the eagerly anticipated contest.

 

Akhtar, who has announced he will retire after his side’s ongoing World Cup campaign comes to an end, has been widely tipped to spearhead Pakistan’s attack at Mohali.

The 35-year-old has played only three games in the tournament so far, taking three wickets at an average over 40, and has not featured since the group-stage loss to New Zealand.

‘’Shoaib is not 100 per cent. He is trying his level best to play and we will decide on him in the evening,’’ said Afridi.

When asked about his side’s preparations for the match, the all-rounder said: ‘’This game is very important for both the sides. We have prepared well for this game and we are confident.’’

The 31-year-old, who is the tournament’s top wicket-taker with 21 at 10.71, added: ‘’We are not the favourites for this competition. India are the favourites and we have played above expectations.

‘’We are enjoying our cricket. If you know how to handle it, there is no need to panic. I think we will enjoy playing here.’’

Pakistan beat West Indies in their quarter-final, while India saw off a weakened Australia to set up a dream semi-final encounter which continues one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries.

This is the first time they have met in a World Cup semi-final, while India have won all of their four previous World Cup meetings.

Tomorrow’s game has also drawn considerable political attention, with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani having accepted his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh’s invitation to attend the event in Mohali.