Today first semi-finals of the World Cup 2011 was played between Srilanka and New Zealand at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. This was the most important match for the Kiwis as they have never won a World Cup in history. The Victory over Srilanka was a best chance for them to win a World Cup 2011. Srilankan's have already geared up to lift the cup and they are looking to finish up the things easily. The toss went into the favor of New Zealand and they chose to bat first.
Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum opened the batting innings for Kiwis. They gave a slow and stable start. The run rate was not on average. Srilankan's kept the pressure on the Kiwis right from the start of the innings so that the Kiwis could not go for big hits. They managed to pick 3 wickets when the total score was 84 runs which was hit in 21.3 overs. After this fall there was a good partnership of 77 runs that helped the Kiwis to come out of the critical situation. When Ross Taylor departed, things changed and the Kiwis started to loose wickets and finally Scott Styris who played a big innings got out. In last 25 runs Kiwis lost 6 wickets which resulted in low total. In 48.5 over, New Zealand managed to put up a total score of 217 runs and lost all 10 wickets (NZ - 217/10, 48.5over). Team's highest scorer was Scott Styris who scored 57 runs. Lashith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis took 3 wickets each.
This was not a big total at all and Srilankan's did not have much pressure as the required run rate was less than 5 runs per over. As usual Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan started off the second innings and the start was better than Kiwis. Upul tharanga was back to pavilion after scoring 30 runs. Kumar Sangakkara came in to bat and put up a very good partnership of 120 runs with Tillakaratne Dilshan. Tillakaratne Dilshan departed after scoring 73 runs and Kumar Sangakkara got out after scoring 54 runs. Srilanka after a big partnership lost 5 quick wickets which made the Kiwis to be back on track. Now the pressure was on Srilanka as they lost 5 wickets when their total was 185 runs. But Samaraweera and Mathews played beautifully and helped the team to come out of pressurized situation. Srilanka finally managed to chase the target successfully scoring a total of 220 runs with the loss of 5 wickets in 47.5 over (SL - 220/5, 47.5 over).
Srilanka won the match by 5 wickets. Man of the match was Kumar Sangakkara. Now the Srilankan's are into the finals of the World Cup 2011. They will be playing against India or Pakistan on 2nd of April in Mumbai.
On 30th March India and Pakistan will face against each other in the second semi-finals. This is the most awaited match to be watched across the globe. Who ever wins, definitely this is gonna be a thriller. I wish India to win the match. INDIA DHAK DHAK GO!!!!!!
Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum opened the batting innings for Kiwis. They gave a slow and stable start. The run rate was not on average. Srilankan's kept the pressure on the Kiwis right from the start of the innings so that the Kiwis could not go for big hits. They managed to pick 3 wickets when the total score was 84 runs which was hit in 21.3 overs. After this fall there was a good partnership of 77 runs that helped the Kiwis to come out of the critical situation. When Ross Taylor departed, things changed and the Kiwis started to loose wickets and finally Scott Styris who played a big innings got out. In last 25 runs Kiwis lost 6 wickets which resulted in low total. In 48.5 over, New Zealand managed to put up a total score of 217 runs and lost all 10 wickets (NZ - 217/10, 48.5over). Team's highest scorer was Scott Styris who scored 57 runs. Lashith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis took 3 wickets each.
This was not a big total at all and Srilankan's did not have much pressure as the required run rate was less than 5 runs per over. As usual Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan started off the second innings and the start was better than Kiwis. Upul tharanga was back to pavilion after scoring 30 runs. Kumar Sangakkara came in to bat and put up a very good partnership of 120 runs with Tillakaratne Dilshan. Tillakaratne Dilshan departed after scoring 73 runs and Kumar Sangakkara got out after scoring 54 runs. Srilanka after a big partnership lost 5 quick wickets which made the Kiwis to be back on track. Now the pressure was on Srilanka as they lost 5 wickets when their total was 185 runs. But Samaraweera and Mathews played beautifully and helped the team to come out of pressurized situation. Srilanka finally managed to chase the target successfully scoring a total of 220 runs with the loss of 5 wickets in 47.5 over (SL - 220/5, 47.5 over).
Srilanka won the match by 5 wickets. Man of the match was Kumar Sangakkara. Now the Srilankan's are into the finals of the World Cup 2011. They will be playing against India or Pakistan on 2nd of April in Mumbai.
On 30th March India and Pakistan will face against each other in the second semi-finals. This is the most awaited match to be watched across the globe. Who ever wins, definitely this is gonna be a thriller. I wish India to win the match. INDIA DHAK DHAK GO!!!!!!
