Sports
New Zealand pull off dramatic one-wicket win
Jun 09, 201310:13 PM
New Zealand scrambled over the line to clinch a one-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the tightest game yet in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in Cardiff.
Mitchell McClenaghan took four wickets to dismiss Sri Lanka for 138 in 36.3 overs but his tally was matched by Lasith Malinga before New Zealand’s final pair, Tim Southee and McClenaghan, scored the five runs they needed to take their side to victory.
Malinga’s range of yorkers and full tosses proved Sri Lanka’s best weapon and he removed Kane Williamson as well as the McCullum brothers, who looked to be taking their side towards victory, and then Daniel Vettori.
However, Southee was able to see off the remainder of his spell, with a little luck, and then when Tillakaratne Dilshan bowled a wide with two runs needed, the pair capitalised by taking the extra run to register New Zealand’s first win over Sri Lanka since 2009.
Kumar Sangakkara had earlier top scored for the misfiring Sri Lankan batting line-up with 68 as only three players reached double figures.
New Zealand’s eventual win made it the eighth time in nine ODIs held in Cardiff that the team batting second had won, but they almost slipped up.
