Sri Lanka thrashes New Zealand to top Group A

Sri Lanka captains knock of  century from Kumar Sangakkara and Muralitharan's 4-25, helped Sri Lanka thrash New Zealand by 112 runs at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday

Sri Lanka electing to bat first  lost two early wickets with only 19 runs on the board. The first to go was Upul Tharanga via an unfortunate run-out in the third over when Tillakaratne Dilshan smacked a quick one from Tim Southee for a straight drive which brushed his finger tips before hitting the stumps.

But after Captain Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene took the crease, the momentum again swung in Sri Lanka's favour.  They  went on to make 145 runs for the third wicket before Jayawardene (66) was dismissed in the thirty-seventh over after being adjudged LBW off Southee.

Sangakkara was joined by Angelo Mathews and the two added 46 run for the fourth wicket in just 5.3 overs before Sangakkara was castled by Nathan McCullum in the forty-second over. He made 111 runs and won the man of the match award.

In reply, the Kiwis never seemed like they were in the game. Their openers Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum departed early after making 13 and 14 runs respectively. Guptill was adjudged LBW off Kulasekara, while McCullum was caught by Jayawardene off Mathews. Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor then embarked on a rescue mission, adding 49 runs third wicket partnership before Ryder was caught behind in the seventeenth bowled by Ajantha Mendis.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 265-9 (Sangakkara 111, Jayawardene 66; Southee 3-63) beat New Zealand 153 all out in 35 overs (Taylor 33, Oram 20 n.o; Muralitharan 4-25) by 112 runs.