A fine all-round performance by New Zealand saw the Blackcaps defeat Sri Lanka by 38 runs Sunday in the Champions Trophy, leaving the No.2-ranked one-day side in the world on the brink of elimination.
New Zealand batted first and set the Sri Lankans an imposing victory target of 316 and then a fine bowling display by Daryl Tuffey and Kyle Mills saw the Kiwis home.
Seamer Tuffey was the most economical of the New Zealand bowlers with 2-39 in 8.4 overs, while Mills was the most successful with 3-69. The two were instrumental in reining in Sri Lanka's batsmen, removing the openers after a fast start had seen them reach 66 by the eighth over.
Tuffey removed Sanath Jayasuriya for 24, and Mills had Tillekaratne Dilshan caught for 41.
Mahela Jayawardene tried to rebuild the Sri Lankan innings, making 77 off 85 balls, but when he departed in the 39th over with the total on 219-7, the game was all but lost.
There was a flourish at the death from Nuwan Kulasekara, who hit a career-best 57 not out.
"At the end of the day we have to look back and see we didn't have enough wickets in hand," said Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara. "Mahela and Kulasekara played superbly."
We have to improve our fielding standards. We have to take responsibility at the end of the day for the mistakes."
Martin Guptill capitalised on a good start by the New Zealand openers. He started slowly, taking 64 balls to reach his 50, but helped stabilize the New Zealand innings, as the Kiwis stumbled to 161-5 after Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum had put on 125 for the first wicket.
Ryder hurt his left leg taking a sharp single at the end of the fifth over. He called for a runner and threw caution to the wind, hitting 10 fours and a six in his 58-ball stay. He reached his 50 off 28 balls, the fastest half-century in the tournament.
McCullum played a supporting role, scoring 46 off 72 balls.
"The way Ryder and McCullum gave us a great start put the dressing room in good shape," said Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori. "We carried the momentum all the way through."
Guptill and Vettori put on 69 for the sixth wicket, with Vettori the aggressor with his 48 off 44 balls.
Guptill was biding his time, and he signaled his intention to accelerate the rate with a straight six off Thilan Thushara at the end of the 44th over.
New Zealand continued to bat powerfully over the final five overs, and scored 61 runs for the loss of Guptill's wicket. He succumbed to a fast in-swinging yorker from Lasith Malinga.
In the end, veteran Jayasuriya was the most successful of the Sri Lankan bowlers with his left arm spin, taking 3-39 in his 10 overs. Angelo Mathews took 2-33.
AP