Sri Lanka hand Kiwis first defeat
Jayasuriya hit 64 on he way to the win
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Thursday, 12, Apr 2007 10:59
New Zealand's unbeaten start to the cricket World Cup has come to an end after a polished team performance from Sri Lanka earned them a six-wicket win.
The Black Caps chose to bat first and it may have been a decision skipper Stephen Fleming regretted when he found himself back in the pavilion for a duck and his side 18-2 after ten overs.
Scott Styris came to the side's rescue however as he rattled off 111 runs from 157 balls to breath life into an innings while his team-mates folded around him.
Despite only intermittent support at the other end, the right-hander survived close calls from Muttiah Muralitharan to remain unbeaten at the close as his side finished on 219-7.
In contrast to their opponents, 1996 champions Sri Lanka got off to an assured start, despite Upul Tharanga falling as the first wicket of the innings to James Franklin with the score on 30.
Fellow opener Sanath Jayasuriya looked in no mood to prolong the run chase as he slapped some wayward New Zealand bowling to all corners of the ground.
Eventually he came unstuck on 64 when a flamboyant flash at a Jacob Oram delivery presented a simple catch to Brendon McCullum, but only after he and Kumar Sangakkara had added 100 runs for the second wicket.
Sangakkara steadily advanced and eventually passed his colleague's mark, making 69 not out as an indifferent display from captain Mahela Jayawardene proved immaterial as his side eased to victory with nearly five overs to spare.