Sri Lanka outplay New Zealand by 10 wickets in Galle Test

By Fathima Zanaida

GALLE, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 19, 2012: Left-arm off-spinner Rangana Herath claimed 11 wickets as Sri Lanka mauled New Zealand by 10 wickets in the first Test played at Galle International Stadium on Monday.

New Zealand were bowled out for 118 runs in their second innings, thus giving only 93 runs target for victory which the home side achieved without any loss as openers raced to target from 18.3 overs.

The match could last for less than three days as the pitch always offered something for both seamers and spinners as New Zealand were bowled out for 221 runs in their first innings before their bowlers pulled up their socks to restrict Sri Lanka to 247 runs in their first innings.

However, the match changed completely on third day when New Zealand started at 35 for one but the whole team was bundled out for only 118 runs just after lunch break.

Sri Lankan debutant Dimuth Karunaratne played exceptionally well to remain not out at 60 while Tharanga Paranavitana scored 31 not out as the hosts accomplished the meager target with over two days to spare.

This is the fifth straight loss for New Zealand in Test cricket after losing two matches each to West Indies and India.

Rangana Herath was declared Man of the Match for super bowling performance as he told the presentation party, “I enjoy bowling here. I stick to the basics. I saw on (that I was the leading wicket-taker in 2012)”.

Losing skipper Ross Taylor said, "Herath put us under pressure all the while. The way schedules are these days it can't be helped (lack of warm-ups). The new ball bowlers bowled exceptionally well. The partnership between Angelo and Mahela took the game away. I'm sure there will be a couple of changes before the next Test, but we will have to see the wicket."

Winning captain Mahela Jayawardene said, “He (Herath) has taken a lot of responsibility. This morning he showed a lot of control with the ball and kept the pressure on. It's a great venue and I enjoy batting here. When Dilshan is fit he will walk straight into the side, positive to see Dimuth bat. Happy with the young talent but it's a work in progress."

The second Test will be played at the P Sara Oval on Sunday.

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Sri Lanka go 2-0 up over BlackCaps in ODI series

By Fathima Zanaida

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by seven wickets after Duckworth-Lewis Method calculations in yet another rain-affected match played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Former skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was the star of the show for the home side as the opening batsman struck an unbeaten hundred to guide Sri Lanka to an impressive victory.

Sri Lanka’s new Twenty20 skipper Angelo Mathews also redeemed himself in the One-dayers with gutsy unbeaten half century as Sri Lanka chased down their target with 11 balls to spare for the loss of only three wickets.

Batting first, New Zealand scored 188 for six from 33 overs after rain once again forced officials to reduce the size of the match.

Opening batsman BJ Watling stepped up his game and scored 96 not out form 88 balls hitting 12 boundaries but he largely lacked support from the other batsmen as Rob Nicol (7 from 16), Brendon McCullum (13 from 25), skipper Ross Taylor (7 from 16 – 1 four), Jacob Oram (2 from 4), and Kane Williamson (5 from 6), all failed to help the side get a respectable total.

Jeevan Mendis took two wickets for 34 runs while Lasith Malinga (1/40), Nuwan Kulasekara (1/45), and Angelo Mathews (1/15) grabbed one wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka were given the target of 197 runs from 33 overs after applying the Duckworth-Lewis Method which looked a little stiff for the second-batting side.

Sri Lanka lost Upul Tharanga (10 from 13 – 2 fours), Kumar Sangakkara (15 from 27), and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (5 from 6) early in the run-chase but Tillakaratne Dilshan (102 not out from 95 – 12 fours, 1 six) kept his fight alive and found perfect partner in Angelo Mathews (54 not out from 47 – 7 fours).

Dilshan and Mathews added 127 runs for the fourth wicket from 98 balls which proved the difference between the two sides as New Zealand once again couldn’t seal the deal despite of coming close to that elusive victory in Sri Lanka.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant unbeaten knock of 102 runs.

The series now moves to Hambantota where the two teams will play the final two One Day Internationals on November 10 and 12.

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Rain leaves Sri Lanka, Kiwis with no result in one-off T20I

By Fathima Zanaida

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) October 30, 2012: Mother Nature had the final say at Pallekele International Stadium on Tuesday when rain forced a no result in the one-off Twenty20 International match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

After the match was reduced to 14 overs a side due to torrential rain, New Zealand managed to score 74 for 14 overs.

Sri Lankans were given a target of 72 runs from 14 overs after the Duckworth/Lewis Method calculations.

Sri Lanka were six for no loss from two overs when it poured down for one final time to force the ICC match officials to eventually abandon the match.

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