First Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

[Ljp86]

First Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

The first semi final is due to get underway shortly with Sri Lanka taking on West Indies here at Sabina Park.

The pitch is expected to provide more bounce than normal with the wear and tear on the pitch certain to have a more profound effect as the match progresses. It was no surprise to anyone when Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first.

Both teams are back at full strength so this should be a very, very good game.

The winner of this match will face either Australia or South Africa in the Grand Final on Saturday.

Sri Lanka XI: WU Tharanga, ST Jayasuriya, KC Sangakkara+, DPMD Jayawardene*, LPC Silva, TM Dilshan, RP Arnold, WPUJC Vaas, SL Malinga, M Muralitharan, CRD Fernando

New Zealand XI: PG Fulton, SP Fleming*, RL Taylor, SB Styris, CD McMillan, JDP Oram, BB McCullum+, DL Vettori, JEC Franklin, SE Bond, JS Patel

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Re: First Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

Ho Boy!!! Me is waiting on pins and needles for these final days!!

 

[cleazer]

Re: First Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

Jayasuriya out for 1, but Tharanga is scoring a bit.

Sri Lanka 32-1 after 6

 

[cleazer]

Re: First Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

Tharanga out for 73

Sri Lanka 111-3 after 25.1


It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that Tharanga was the main threat today, and this is a huge wicket for New Zealand.

 

[timmyj51]

Re: First Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

Rows and rows of empty seats. And this is a semi-final! Wouldn't be
surprised if the finals aren't sold out.

 

[cleazer]

Re: First Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs New Zealand

289-5 after 50
Jayawardene leads the way with 115


That's going to be a tough number for New Zealand to chase.
The Sri Lankan bowlers are a formidable group. And with the
possibility of someone like Malinga or Murali snatching a hat trick
towards the end, New Zealand will never be in a safe position.