Sri Lanka wins one-over eliminator in a thriller

Reuters: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand via Super Over in the first Super Eight stage match of the Twenty20 World Cup at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted 174 for seven wickets after Rob Nicol (58) and Martin Guptil (38) had provided them a strong start.

Sri Lanka’s reply was even better as Tillakaratne Dilshan (76) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (44) added 80 runs for the opening stand. The hosts, however, managed 174 for six wickets in the end, forcing the Super Over.

Sri Lanka managed 13 runs in the Super Over sent down by Tim Southee losing one wicket and Lasith Malinga then bowled a tight over to thwart New Zealand.

The Super Over

New Zealand

Super Over

Batsmen: Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill; Bowler Lasith Malinga

0.01 - 2 runs Guptill swings at a wide delivery and gets a wild outside edge over backward point, the cover sweeper comes around to field

0.02 - 1 run full ball again, chopped to midwicket Guptill trying to swing it over the on side

0.03 - 2 byes full and wide of McCullum's swing outside off, Sangakkara lets it through his hands and they scramble a couple of bonus runs. NZ need 9 to win...

0.04 - 1 run Sangakkara drops a thick egde from McCullum, again it was wide and tried to be swung away. 8 to win...

0.05 - Guptill out tries to find the stands over long off, it was well struck down to the boundary and it was superbly taken by Dilshan right on the edge of the rope, great catch, so nearly a big hit from Guptill. Still 8 required, Taylor the new batsman with McCullum on strike...

0.06 - Sri Lanka win a yorker comes off the pad and runs down towards long leg, Malinga holds his nerve and pulls it off for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Super Over

Mahela Jayawardene and Thisara Perera followed by Dilshan; Bowler Tim Southee

0.01 - 2 runs full ball dug out by Jayawardene, plenty of bat on this, long leg slides and saves four very well

0.02 - 1 runs full again outside leg, step to give himself room, dug out into the covers by Jayawardene

0.03 - 1 wide full outside off but this is too wide of the left-handed Perera and called wide

0.03 - 2 runs full ball dug out down the ground by Perera, great running and they get back for the second

0.04 - 2 wides full outside off again, a swing and a miss by Perera, they take an extra to the keeper too

0.04 - 1 run, Jayawardene run out full again, dug out into midwicket, coming back for the second, run out very easily, a good return by the deep fielder. Dilshan is the new batsman, if Sri Lanka lose another wicket the innings is over

0.05 - 1 leg bye another excellent full ball onto leg stump, comes off the pad of Dilshan into the covers and they take a quick single

0.06 - 3 runs full again, Perera goes for the paddle sweep, meets it on the full and gets it just over short long leg, they take three out to the boundary. Finish on 13 for 1

Courtesy: ESPNCricinfo