It was a low scoring affair in Cardiff as New Zealand dramatically beat Sri Lanka by one wicket. Sangakkara (68) saved a dismal batting display from Sri Lanka as they were bowled out for 138 runs after only 37.5 overs. Mitchell McClenaghan was in impressive form to take four wickets for 43 runs. Amazingly, New Zealand suffered a similar batting collapse as they struggled to reach their target of 139 runs. Some brilliant bowling from Lasith Malinga, who took four wickets, helped reduce New Zealand to 134-9. After Nathan McCullum (32) was dismissed, it looked as if Sri Lanka were going to win the match as they needed just one more wicket to win whilst New Zealand needed a further five runs. In a very tense finish, New Zealand managed to secure the runs required to finish on 139-9 and beat Sri Lanka by one wicket.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. It was the worst possible start for Sri Lanka as Pererak (0) was dismissed from the first ball of the day. The day did not get any better for the Sri Lankan batsmen after three further wickets fell in the first ten overs. McClenaghan bowled Dilshan (20), Jayawardene (20) was out lbw to Vettori and Chandimal (0) lasted four balls before edging behind to leave Sri Lanka 34-4 after nine overs. They managed to survive the next ten overs without loss of a wicket after slow progression. McClenaghan returned to the bowling attack to bowl Angelo Mathews (9) before Thirimanne (9) was run out by Williamson. Somehow amongst all the chaotic batting, Sangakkara completed his fifty, taking Sri Lanka to 99-6. It was not long until they lost their last four wickets though as Perera (29) was caught at long-on. The last hope for Sri Lanka was wiped out as Sangakkara (68) was caught at backward point before Nathan McCullum took his second wicket as Eranga (0), who lasted four balls, was caught in the field. It was all over in the 38th over for Sri Lanka as Malinga (2) edged into the slips to leave his team 138 all out.
From what should have been a simple run chase for New Zealand, it turned out to be a real struggle. It started with Ronchi (7) being dismissed after edging behind in the fourth over. However, the real problems for the Kiwis started in the ninth over as they lost three wickets for only one run in the space of seven balls. It went quickly from being 48-1 to 49-4 in a disastrous spell for New Zealand. Malinga dismissed Williamson (16) lbw, Herath then got Taylor (0) out lbw before Guptill (25) edged into the slips. New Zealand continued to struggle as Franklin (6) was dismissed lbw before Vettori (5) suffered the same fate as the Kiwis were left on 80-6 after the first 20 overs. The important wickets of the two McCullum brothers were both taken by Malinga as he bowled Brendan (18) and got Nathan (32) lbw. It looked anyone's game when Mills (3) was run out to leave New Zealand needing a further five runs to win with one wicket left. Fortunately, Southee (13*) and McClenaghan (1*) were able to spare New Zealand's blushes and claim victory by one wicket.
Performance of the Day: Nathan McCullum two important wickets and scoring 32 much needed runs.
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