New Zealand v Sri Lanka – New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets in thriller
The t20 world cup 2010 started with a tense low scoring game between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, where New Zealand all-rounder N.McCullum kept his cool to steer his team home by 2 wickets in the very last over. He smashed 5th ball of 20th over bowled by L.Malinga over long-off for six to give New Zealand bright start to the tournament.
Chasing the target of 136 runs for victory, New Zealand needed 10 runs off the last over from express fast bowler Lasith Malinga. New Zealand however kept their cool to achieve the victory. N.McCullum (16 runs of 6 balls) first smashed third ball of Malinga over to square leg boundary and then smashed fifth ball of the over for six to steer New Zealand home by 2 wickets.
New Zealand struggled badly in the middle overs during their run chase and they were looking down and out of the game at 96/5 in the 17th over, however the big man Jacob Oram changed the complexion of the game when he smashed A.Mendis for two consecutive sixes over long on boundary.
When it all looks in New Zealand favor with 20 runs to get from last two overs, J.Oram dismissed by C.Welegedara in the 19th over to once again give his team edge over New Zealand. But in the end it was bravo effort of Man of the Match N.McCullum which separated Sri Lanka from win.
Earlier Sri Lanka posted 135/6 in their 20 overs on a slow and low spinning wicket at Providance Ground, Guyana thanks to M.Jayawardne brilliant 81 runs of 51 balls and ne comer L.Chandimal (29 runs of 23 balls).
N.McCullum was declared Player of the Match for his super bowling, batting and fielding performance.
Match Summary (NZ Won by 2 Wickets)
Sri Lanka – 135/6 in 20 Overs
M.Jayawardne- 81L.Chandimal– 29
S.Bond- 4-0-25-2N.McCullum– 4-0-17-1
New Zealand– 139/8 in 19.5 Overs
J.Ryder- 42N.McCullum–16*
M.Muralidaran- 4-0-25-2S.Jayasurya– 4-0-17-1
New Zealand v Sri Lanka T20 Highlights
West Indies v Ireland – Sammy all-round effort helped West Indies to beat Ireland by 70 Runs
All round effort from D.Sammy helped West Indies to crushed Ireland in their opening game of t20 world cup 2010 by 70 runs. Chasing the target of 139 for victory, Ireland bowled out for just 68 runs in the 17th over. His 30 runs off 17 balls, 3 wickets for 8 runs and 4 good catches, was also a Twenty20 record for fielding.
Gary Wilson was the only Irish batsman to reach the double digit as Ravi Rampaul and Darren Sammy took three wickets each and rocked their batting line-up.
Earlier West Indies taken the field without their regular captain C.Gayle, in his absence D.Bravo lead the side and after winning the toss they have posted 138/9 in their 20 overs. D.Sammy (30 runs of 17 balls) was the top scorer for them.
D.Sammy was declared Player of the Match for his super bowling, batting and fielding performance.
