Sri Lanka romp into World T20 semis after Herath heroics

Sri Lanka breezed into the World Twenty20 semi-finals after left-arm spinner Rangana Herath destroyed New Zealand in a 59-run romp in Chittagong on Monday.

Playing his first match in the tournament proper, the 36-year-old bowler claimed five wickets for only three runs in 3.3 overs and was involved in two run outs as well, as New Zealand folded for 60 - their lowest total in 20-over cricket - in 15.3 overs.

The victory gave the 2012 runners-up their fourth successive semi-final place. They play the winners of Tuesday's game in group two between defending champions the West Indies and Pakistan.

The first semi-final will be in Dhaka on Thursday.

The 2007 champions India take on South Africa in the second semi on Friday, with the final to be played in Dhaka on Sunday.

For New Zealand, who began their chase one batsman short after all-rounder Corey Anderson had dislocated a finger trying to take a catch, Kane Williamson contributed 42 of the 60 runs while none of his team mates managed double digits in their spectacular collapse.

Sachithra Senanayake also helped himself to a couple of wickets as Sri Lanka's spin duo returned a remarkable combined figure of 6.3-2-6-7 in a bowler-dominated, low-scoring contest.

"I trusted my spinners. Herath bowled really well, he was unbelievable," Sri Lanka's stand-in skipper Lasith Malinga said at the presentation ceremony.

"We were ready for this (effectively) quarter-final match," said the paceman after Sri Lanka joined South Africa in the last four from Group One.

Once Martin Guptill was run out after a mix-up with Williamson, it was a steady procession of New Zealand batsmen who surrendered to Herath's guile, completely undoing the good work done by their bowling colleagues.

"All credit to Sri Lanka. Herath and Sachi, the way they bowled was outstanding. They blew us away with about eight wickets for some 10 runs," New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said.

McCullum would not say Anderson's unavailability added more pressure on his side and rather blamed it on the other players.

"I wouldn't say there was extra pressure. It was sort of a quarter-final anyway. We just didn't adapt quick enough and played some mindless cricket. Once you let them get on top, it's very hard to stop (them).

"We took some poor options today and hence we're on the plane home."

Leading Sri Lanka in the absence of Dinesh Chandimal, who served a one-match ban for his team's second over-rate offence in 12 months, Malinga initially watched in dismay as Trent Boult wrecked his top order with a three-wicket burst.

After Kusal Perera fell to Boult through a dubious caught-behind decision, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals before eventually being shot out for 119 in 19.2 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene topscored for them with 25, while Lahiru Thirimanne managed 20 but lack of partnerships halted Sri Lanka's progress.

Jimmy Neesham (3-22) polished off the tail to restrict Sri Lanka to a sub-120 total but even that proved beyond New Zealand.

Malinga's leadership experience was more than offset by the presence of four former captains in the Sri Lankan side -Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews, who is the current Test and 50-over skipper.

"I'm really lucky to be captain of this side... They have good experience and that's why were successful today," Malinga said.

It was fourth time unlucky for New Zealand who played the semi-final only in the inaugural edition of the World Twenty20 in 2007.

New Zealand's previous lowest Twenty20 total of 80 came against Pakistan at Auckland two years ago. It also becomes the third lowest total ever in all T20s, behind the Netherland's 39, also against Sri Lanka here last Monday and 56 by Kenya against Afghanistan at Sharjah last year.

Sri Lanka were without their regular T20 captain Dinesh Chandimal, suspended for a slow over-rate. Malinga stepped in as skipper.

Thirimanne and Herath had replaced Chandimal and Ajantha Mendis in the team which lost to England on Thursday.

New Zealand kept faith in the same side which beat the Netherlands on Saturday.

World Twenty20 Super-10 round standings after Monday's matches (played, won, lost, tied, N/R, points, run-rate):

Group 1

Sri Lanka 4 3 1 0 0 6 +2.233
South Africa 4 3 1 0 0 6 +0.075
New Zealand 4 2 2 0 0 4 -0.678
England 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.776
Netherlands 4 1 3 0 0 0 -0.866

Group 2

India 4 4 0 0 0 8 +1.280
West Indies 3 2 1 0 0 4 +1.223
Pakistan 3 2 1 0 0 4 +0.893
Australia 3 0 3 0 0 0 -1.549
Bangladesh 3 0 3 0 0 0 -2.315

Note: Top two teams in each group qualify for semi-finals.

NEW ZEALAND INNINGS

A remarkable spell of bowling by left arm spinner Rangana Herath (3.3-2-3-5) saw Sri Lanka pull off a remarkable 59-run victory against New Zealand to book their berth in the semifinals of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

Defending a modest total of 119, Herath and off spinner Senanayake (3-0-3-2) bundled out New Zealand for 60 in 15.3 overs with Anderson being unable to bat because of a finger innury.

Williamson top scored with 42 before being eighth out.

Herath's figures of five for three were the third best in T20 history.

Sri Lanka will meet the winner of Tuesday's Super 10 clash between West Indies and Pakistan in the semfinal on Thursday while India face South Africa in the other semifinal on Friday.

It's all over for New Zealand with Anderson unable to bat as Herath claims his fifth wickeet. NZ 60 all out in 15.3 overs.

Trent Boult c Jayawardene b Herath 3 (8b 0x4 0x6)

Herath returns and proves to be the bogey man for New Zealand as Williamson is run out by miles. NZ 60-8 in 15.1 overs.

Kane Williamson run out 42 (43b 6x4 0x6)

Williamson stands in the way of victory for Sri Lanka as his finds the boundary off Malinga. NZ 59-7 in 15 overs.

New Zealand are eight down with no sign of Corey Anderson who has gone to hospital for a dislocated thumb. NZ 51-7 in 14 overs.

Senanayake strikes as Mills is trapped plumb in front attempting a reverse sweep. NZ 51-7 in 13.3 overs.

Kyle Mills lbw b Senanayake 4 (9b 1x4 0x6)

Williamson and Mills get a boundary apiece off Mathews who finishes with figures of 4-0-26-0. NZ 50-6 in 13 overs.

Sri Lanka are tightening the screws on New Zealand with Senananayake conceding just a single. NZ 39-6 in 12 overs.

Williamson gets a much needed boundary for New Zealand slamming Mathews back down the ground. NZ 38-6 in 11 overs.

Last 41 balls there have been only 15 runs and six wickets. NZ 33-6 in 10 overs.

Senanayake strikes as Nathan McCullum chips a simple catch to midwicket. NZ 33-6 in 9.3 overs.

Nathan McCullum c Mathews b Senanayake 2 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Senanayake replaces Herath who has figures of 3-2-2-4. NZ 32-5 in 9 overs.

Herath has claimed his fourth wicket after conceding a run trapping Ronch leg before. NZ 29-5 in 7.3 overs.

Luke Ronchi lbw b Herath 2 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Herath has turned the match on its head but Williamson manages to block the hat-trick ball.

Sensational bowling by the left arm spinner Herath who is on a hat-trick having bowled two overs without conceding a run and taking three wickets castling Neesham first ball with a beauty. NZ 23-4 in 6 overs.

Jimmy Neesham b Herath 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Herath strikes again trapping Taylor leg before for a five-ball duck after being denied earlier. NZ 23-3 in 5.5 overs.

Ross Taylor lbw b Herath 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Williamson despatches a short ball from Kulasekera to the midwicket fence. NZ 23-2 in 5 overs.

Left arm spinner Herath strikes in his first over getting the prized wicket Brendon McCullum who jumps out to hammer him out of the ground and misses. NZ 18-2 in 4 overs.

Brendon McCullum st Sangakkara b Herath 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Guptill is run out by a mile after a mix-up with his partner. NZ 18-1 in 3.1 overs.

Martin Guptill run out 5 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Williamson gets another boundary this time off an inside edge off Kulasekera. NZ 18-0 in 3 overs.

Williamson hits the first boundary paddling Mathews to fine leg. NZ 12-0 in 2 overs.

SRI LANKA INNINGS

New Zealand have bowled out Sri Lanka for 119 in 19.2 overs after putting them into bat keeping the dew factor in mind.

Boult (4-0-20-3) caused the damage at the top while Neesham (2.2-0-22-3) mopped up the tail as New Zealand rocked favourites Lanka backed up by superb fielding.

Malinga is bowled first ball by Neesham as Sri Lanka are bowled out for 119 in 19.2 overs.

Lasith Malinga b Neesham 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Williamson takes a brilliant low catch as Senanayake departs. SL 119-9 in 19.1 overs.

Sachithra Senanayake c Williamson b Neesham 17 (11b 1x4 1x6)

Thisara holes out to Williamson. SL 116-8 18.2 overs.

Thisara Perera c Williamson b Mills 16 (13b 3x4 0x6)

Neesham goes for 14 with Senanayake lofting over mid-off while Anderson palms one over for a six. SL 116-7 in 18 overs.

Sri Lanka are falling like nine pins with Kulasekera going for first-ball duck. SL 927 in 15.4 overs.

Nuwan Kulasekara c Nathan McCullum b McClenaghan 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

Mahela lofts Nathan over midwicket for a boundary but is bowled round his leg next ball going for an extravagant sweep. SL 85-6 in 15 overs.

MahelaJayawardene b Nathan McCullum 25 (32b 2x4 0x6)

Mathews does not last long as slashing at McClenaghan only to get an outside edge to be caught behind. SL 81-5 13.5 overs.

Angelo Mathews c Ronchi b McClenaghan 6 (10b 0x4 0x6)

Mahela hits his first boundary by glancing Neesham but Sri Lanka are struggling. SL 73-4 in 12 overs.

Neesham strikes with his first delivery as Thirimanne slices him straight to third man. SL 65-4 in 11.1 overs.

Lahiru Thirimanne c Guptill b Neesham 20 (18b 3x4 0x6)

Thirimanne is batting with some fluency rocking back and pulling Anderson for a boundary. SL 65-3 in 11 overs.

Thirimanne lives dangerously uppercutting Boult for a boundary to third man. SL 48-3 in 8 overs.

Thirimanne survives after a thick edge flies past a diving Nathan McCullum at second slip for a boundary off McClenaghan. SL 42-3 in 7 overs.

Boult strikes again as Sangakkara falls hitting uppishly straight to midoff after having hit a glorious cover drive to the fence early in the over. SL 35-3 in 6 overs.

Kumar Sangakkara c Anderson b Boult 4 (11b 1x4 0x6)

The Dilscoop goes wrong for Dilshan only lobbing a catch behind to Ronchi as he attempts to reverse scoop Boult. SL 29-2 in 3.3 overs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan c Ronchi b Boult 8 (11b 1x4 0x6)

Dilshan gets his first boundary with a scoop over the keeper off Dilshan but is clearly struggling for form unlike the more fluent Kusal who was at the receiving end of a bad decision. SL 27-1 in 3 overs.

Kusal is adjudged caught behind on the leg side off Boult's eventful first over in which he is slapped over cover for a boundary and gets a warning for bowling a beamer. SL 20-1 in 1.5 overs.

Kusal Perera c Ronchi b Boult 16 (8b 2x4 1x6)

Neesham fails to time his jump on the midwicket fence as Kusal swats Mills for the first maximum. SL 12-0 in 1 over.

Kusal hits the first boundary of the match flicking Mills to backward square leg.

New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bowl in a virtual ICC World T20 quarter-final clash against Sri Lanka at Chittagong on Monday.

Sri Lanka have included Rangana Herath for Ajantha Mendis.

Lahiru Thirimanne comes in for suspended skipper Dinesh Chandimal.

PLAYING XI

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Nathan McCullum, Trent Boult, Kyle Mills, Mitchell McClenaghan

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga

PREVIEW

Sri Lanka's stand-in captain Lasith Malinga insisted his team will handle the pressure of their do-or-die match against New Zealand on Monday to reach the World Twenty20 semi-finals.

The paceman will lead Sri Lanka in the absence of Dinesh Chandimal who was suspended for one match over his team's slow over-rate - Sri Lanka's second such penalty in 12 months.

"We have always won the crucial match and came into the finals. So I think we've handled that pressure well, always in the past, and the players are ready for tomorrow," said Malinga on Sunday.

The Group One match has become a virtual quarter-final for both the teams, sitting on four points each after three games.

Whoever wins will join South Africa in the semi-finals, with India already qualified for the last four from Group Two.

Left-handed batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, player of the tournament in Sri Lanka's Asia Cup triumph earlier this month, is likely to replace Chandimal in the squad.

Malinga said his players weren't thinking of the opposition.

"We are thinking about our players and their skill - how to develop that and that's a very important thing. We have to improve our skill and put our 100 percent into the match," said Malinga, whose team lost their last game against England by six wickets.

Malinga, who has never captained Sri Lanka before, said he looked forward to the experience.

"I am not thinking about my captaincy but we want to win the match. I have Mahela (Jayawardene), Kumar (Sangakkara) (Tillakaratne) Dilshan and Angelo (Mathews), a lot of experienced captains in my side. So I am really happy to look forward to that experience," said Malinga.

Malinga added he was unfazed by rival captain and dashing batsman Brendon McCullum.

"Brendon is in good touch," said Malinga of the New Zealand batsman who hit 65 in the win over the Netherlands on Saturday.

"Whoever the batsman is we don't care, we have to think about our skill, how to bowl. We need only one ball to get a batsmen out and I hope tomorrow someone will do that.

"We have no choice but to win the match if we want to qualify for the semi finals," he added.

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