Dark horses in world Cricket Sri Lanka & New Zealand kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy 2013 campaign in Cardiff amidst a reasonable crowd on a chilly Sunday.
New Zealand ‘Black Caps’ put up a disciplined effort on the field and kept their nerves while batting to register a nail biting 1 wicket win over the spirited Sri Lankans in an awesome low scoring encounter.
Earlier in the day after Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews won the toss and elected to take on the New Zealand pace attack first up on a pacie bouncy English track questions were asked. However the skipper reiterated that he expected the wicket to get slower and it would suit his bowling brigade better, even though his team had opted for just one spinner. As expected the slightly rusty Lankan line up put up a paltry batting effort as the Kiwis ripped the batting order apart from the very first ball when Kyle Mills struck knocking down the rising star of Sri Lankan batting Kusal Perera who got one that bounced more than he expected and flew to 2nd slip where skipper Brendon McCullum took a flying catch to start the collapse.
Sri Lanka lost T.M.Dilshan when the score was just 27 to an in swinging delivery by Mitchell McClenaghan. The 3rd wicket to fall was the ever reliable Mahela Jayawardena who was trapped in front of the wicket by the elder statesman of New Zealand cricket Daniel Vettori who played his 1st ODI after 2 years. Sri Lankan vice captain Dinesh Chandimal continued in the attacking is best defense which is a very sub-continent answer and perished feathering to the wicket keeper going for an expansive drive off the bowling of Kyle Mills.
Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews walked into the wicket as the number 6 batsman when the score was on 34. Angelo and the rock solid Kumar Sangakkara put on a 31 run partnership before Mitchell McClenaghan clean bowled Angelo Mathews. Promising middle order batsman Lahiru Thirimanne joined Sangakkara at the 20 over mark to consolidate the innings but the 6th wicket pair could only add 17 runs before Thirimanne ran himself out. When Kumar Sangakkara needed a partner so badly to accompany his rear guard effort, he found that partner in Thisara Perera and the counter attacking began to resurrect the Lankan innings. They put on 35 runs before Thisara Perera who was on 15 runs gave Mitchell McClenaghan his 3rd wicket.
Kumar Sangakkara bravely fought the lone fight as he has done many times before but was out of partners and he could not score freely and in the process of accelerating fell for the bowling of Nathan McCullum. The Sri Lankan tail could not wag much as the last 3 wickets fell quickly and Sri Lanka could only score 138 in 37.5 overs.
New Zealand openers walked into the middle with only 139 runs to get in 50 overs but they lost Luke Ronchi when the score was on 14 before the lunch interval off the bowling of young speedster Shaminda Eranga.
After the resumption, the Sri Lankan bowlers spearheaded by Lasith Malinga in a spirited comeback took the fight to New Zealand who lost wickets at regular intervals. Ross Taylor lasted only 4 balls when he was given LBW off the bowling of Rangana Herath. Dilshan accounted for James Franklin’s wicket.
Sri Lankan bowlers triggered a collapse in New Zealand batting and the Kiwis were 6 wickets down for 80 runs in no time. The McCullum brothers then took the responsibility and guided the Black Caps near the target before Lasith Malinga took the ball and sent both Brendon & Nathan back to the dressing room with his toe crushing yorkers and cleverly disguised slow balls. Tail-ender Tim Southee guided his team with a patient and fighting knock in the end.
Brilliant bowling and fielding by Sri Lanka & New Zealand but Sri Lanka was short of 40-50 from their batsman. Batters should have been more responsible. Hats off to Lasith Malinga who was once again the hero for his side with a brilliant performance with the ball.
Man of the Match : Nathan McCullum
