ICC Champions Trophy: close encounters

2013 ICC Champions Trophy:

Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand, Cardiff, 9 June

Lasith Malinga was in terrific form claiming 4 kiwi wickets.

The 2013 edition is currently being played at England. Only 6 games have been played so far and this edition has already produced a thriller. New Zealand and Sri Lanka had played their first match of the tournament. The Kiwis were the favorites going into the match on the back of 2-1 series win over England in England recently.

Sri Lanka had won the toss and chose to bat in this encounter. The New Zealand bowlers made the best out of the conditions, troubling the Lankans with some decent bowling and brilliant fielding. Sangakkara played the anchor role while the rest of the batting unit stumbled around him. Sangakkara, with his knock of 68 off 87 deliveries, helped Sri Lanka post a meager total of 138 in 37.5 overs, leaving the Kiwis a target of 139.

The Kiwis were smoothly sailing at 48 for 1, when a triple strike shattered the New Zealand unit and brought Lanka into the game. The latter made further breakthroughs into the batting lineup and reduced New Zealand to 80 for 6, 59 runs away from the target. The McCullum brothers joined hands for the 7th wicket and put on 35 runs before the younger sibling, B. McCullum, got bowled by Malinga. The Lankan bowler also claimed N. McCullum, leaving the Kiwis at 122-8, with 17 to win. Malinga was in inspired form as he threatened to take the match away from the Kiwis. He was firing yorkers at the tailenders. An unexpected run-out of Kyle Mills further spiced up the encounter. The last pair, T Southee and MJ McClenaghan, held their nerve and took New Zealand past the target.

This current edition is far from being over and will surely produce some interesting encounters as most of the teams are evenly matched. I, being a die hard fan of cricket, hope that the final edition ends on a fitting note.

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