Teams share points as rain plays spoil-sport again

Once again New Zealand won the toss and this time around they decided to field first as they wanted to exploit the conditions. But the hosts were up to the challenge and were 203/3 in the 43.4 overs when the rain stopped the proceedings and after that no further game was possible. Both the sides shared two points each.

After being put into bat under the overcast conditions, Sri Lanka got off to a rollicking start with the openers, specially Dilshan came out firing in all cylinders. They scored runs at a brisk rate and took the Kiwi opening bowlers to the cleaners by smashing 61 runs for the loss of Tharanga’s wicket in the Quick Start Overs followed by 14/0 in the Bowling Power Play. Jacob Oram and Scott Styris brought the visitors back into the match by bowling few tight stuffs in the middle overs resulting in the wicket of Dilshan. The experienced duo of Sangakkara and Jayawardene then stitched a crucial partnership of 56 runs for the third wicket. Scott Styris broke the partnership but Jayawardene continued on with his sensible batting and got an able partner in Chamara Silva, who playing in his first match of the tri-series looked in imperious touch. They were going great guns and were amidst an unbeaten stand of 72 runs when the Rain God decided to intervene. Scott Styris earned the best Bowling Efficiency of 167 as he took 2 wickets for 36 in his 10 overs while Mahela Jayawardene, who reached his 55th half-century, finished with a Batting Momentum of 72. 

With the game forfeited to Rain God, it now becomes a do-or-die battle for Sri Lanka when they clash with their familiar foes India in the fifth match of the tri-series on Sunday, the 22nd of August, 2010 at 0900 GMT.