Sri Lanka overwhelm New Zealand by six wickets

St George's, Grenada, Apr 12 (UNI) The veterans' trio of Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan scripted an overwhelming victory for Sri Lanka as the former champions halted New Zealand's unbeaten streak, overpowering them by six wickets in the Super Eight league match of the cricket World Cup here today.

The win virtually ensured the islanders a place in the semi- final of the showpiece event.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand huffed and puffed before making 219 for 7 in 50 overs thanks to Scott Styris' unbeaten 111. In reply, Sri Lanka scored 222 for 4 in 45.1 overs.

Sri Lanka in the process foiled New Zealand's bid to equal their longest one-day winning streak of ten wins in a row, which they had achieved in 2004. New Zealand had won all their three matches in the group stage and today suffered their first defeat in their fourth match of the Super Eight league.

Sri Lanka also had won all three matches in the group stage but lost their first Super Eight league match against South Africa and after that have recorded three straight victories.

The two teams are now tied on eight points and both have two more Super Eight league matches to play.

New Zealand's strength was tested for the first time in the tournament by a strong side and they failed to come out unscathed as the Lankans clicked beautifully in all departments of the game.

Their bowlers stiffled the New Zealand batting and then the batsmen made light of the Kiwi bowling. The Lions suffered a pre match set back when their star bowler Lasith Malinga was ruled out because of an ankle injury. But the experienced duo of pacer Chaminda Vaas and spinner Muralitharan did not let the team feel the absence of Malinga as the two veterans proved too hot for the Kiwi batsmen.

It was Scott Styris who stood between Sri Lanka bowlers and the total collapse of his side but his effort was not enough to prevent the Lions from running away with a well- deserved victory.

After the veteran bowling duo, it was the turn of another old warhorse Jayasuriya to lay foundation for his team's victory with a solid 64.

Playing in his 386th one-dayer, the veteran opener captalised on a dropped chance to score his 63rd half century.

He scored 64 off 80 balls hitting one six and five boundaries before edging Jacob Oram to Brendon McCullum.

Before he departed he had ensured his team's march towards victory as he put up a 100-run second wicket stand with Kumar Sangakkara.

Sangakkara, playing in his 196th ODI, cracked his 39th half century as he remained unbeaten on 69 (104 balls, 3x4).

The Lanka vice captain was lucky to have survived a chance when on nine he was dropped by Craig McMillian at short mid wicket off Shane Bond and at that stage Lankan team total was 47 for 1.

Barring these mishaps, New Zealand bowling looked woefully inadequate on this track and Lankans finished the job with 4.5 overs to spare.

Though Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming took a gamble by taking second and third power play after the 31st over but the ploy failed to produce the desired result.

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