SL into semis

1 October 2012 06:05 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 31 Bookmark

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Lasith Malinga took five wickets to help Sri Lanka knock Twenty20 World Cup holders England out of the tournament with a 19-run Super Eights victory on Monday that put the hosts safely into the semi-finals.

Sri Lanka piled up a score of 169 for six, the experienced Mahela Jayawardene top-scoring with 42 at the top of the order and Thisara Perera chipping in with a quick-fire unbeaten 26.

Malinga, who completed figures of five for 31, removed Luke Wright, Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow in his first over and the chase was never really on despite late resistance from Samit Patel (67) and Graeme Swann (34).

The holders slumped to 93 for seven before Patel and Swann lifted them to 150 for nine.

Sri Lanka topped Group One after the Super Eight phase with the West Indies also reaching the semi-finals where they will be joined by two from Australia, India, Pakistan and South Africa.

The semi-finals are on Thursday and Friday in Colombo. (Reuters)

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Sri Lanka 1st Innings - Close

Comments - 31

Mohan Tuesday, 02 October 2012 04:04 AM

Aha !!! It looks like an Australia - Sri Lanka final.

0 2

RAN Wednesday, 03 October 2012 03:46 AM

well done SL boys. Good Luck for Final Win
CONGRATULATIONS to LIONS

0 1

Srisana Tuesday, 02 October 2012 09:02 AM

Good luck Sri Lanka, you have the capacity to lift the cup.

0 1

siva Tuesday, 02 October 2012 08:06 AM

Very well done.You will be the T20 champions.All the very best for the team.

1 1

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 02 October 2012 08:01 AM

Good Luck for the next game and hopefully we should be able to go to the Finals. In case we meet India in the Finals, then God forbid a repeat performance like the World Cup when our team was sold lock, stock and barrel to satisy the "billions of fans in India". Perhaps, that sacrifice wont be repeated this time because India betrayed us at the UN!

0 2

Kalana Tuesday, 02 October 2012 07:39 AM

We cannot happy for Y'day performance from bowling side. Anyway, We meet India in next match, I am not sure how our guys will face to them. Specially bowlers... may be Kohli's next century

1 0

Irrect Tuesday, 02 October 2012 07:38 AM

At least make people in this country happy by wining it.while watching matches mr is increasing all the prices.

0 1

Amila.G Tuesday, 02 October 2012 05:39 AM

Well done .Our guys are capable, As long as there is no out side interference. As even on this occasion some senior players body language did n`t look that good or keen to win. Truth hurts.

1 3

Sam Tuesday, 02 October 2012 05:25 AM

100% agree.Also SLC favours India by preparing dusty tracks. SL will struggle against if its is India on a same kind of tracks. From the beginning SL didn't have the home advantage other than the crowds.

0 0

D.P.Liyanage Tuesday, 02 October 2012 05:17 AM

It is good to have new bowler Akila Dananjaya. I suppose He bowled well apart from Lasith Malinga.
Congratulations! Hope Sri Lanka will climb towards the Trophy.

0 2

Dasun Tuesday, 02 October 2012 05:05 AM

Good win Sri lanka hope that semi final not with INDIA.....

4 3

#SL# Tuesday, 02 October 2012 04:50 AM

Good luck for the games ahead.

1 4

MTM. Ismail Tuesday, 02 October 2012 04:47 AM

Well done guys. If the big three can do why not the next ? Yes the other three also did a good job. That is what is needed. We can make it. Have confident and contribute your efficiency carefully. Very happy that Sri Lanka is doing well.

Keep it up. the Lion's sprite and team work.

1 5

jayantha Tuesday, 02 October 2012 04:44 AM

We should be thankful for the beautiful cheerleaders

1 7

Aaeis Muhammed Tuesday, 02 October 2012 04:39 AM

congratulation.. good performer Malinga & Mahila.

2 4

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 02 October 2012 04:33 AM

Most importantly we proved that we have a pretty reliable middle order. We CAN do it.

2 6

Fazli Monday, 01 October 2012 06:13 PM

Ah something to feel happy about at last amidst a the turmoil. Anyway thanks Malinga.

4 13

but Tuesday, 02 October 2012 04:04 AM

can't pakistan make the semis and not India???

0 1

RegularJoe Tuesday, 02 October 2012 03:36 AM

Aiyo thomas, Malinga has 4 overs - mahela[or sanga officially :P] kept him for later to use when the charge was on. If malinga had bowled out in the start who would have been used when England were on the rampage at the end.? In case of mendis the poor fellow had problems with grip - remember his grip and the release is different to most bowlers.

2 17

Ram.Suntha Tuesday, 02 October 2012 03:22 AM

Heartiest Congratulations.

2 6

Mohammed Hiraz Tuesday, 02 October 2012 03:17 AM

our lk team pls same business do in final also ???

1 6

aja Tuesday, 02 October 2012 03:17 AM

with Sl being the home team advantage goes to india as they played together with aussie team all games @ the premadasa stadium. So much for home advantage, either SLC is blind or India has twisted the ICC organisers to give them the colombo grounds. Our press should question this we have had enough of India. Hope we thrash them. Good luck lions

3 13

JokerKing Tuesday, 02 October 2012 03:07 AM

Well done Lions !! that is how we roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrr !!

4 5

summer thorn Tuesday, 02 October 2012 03:00 AM

Good reply for the critics of Lasith M.

1 8

seetha Tuesday, 02 October 2012 02:58 AM

I haven’t believed yet that we can lift this trophy. If India qualifies to semi, we will have to face them in semi final. That is the end for us given our past records against them and invariable choking in the finals.

19 3

Fazli Tuesday, 02 October 2012 02:22 AM

At last something to feel happy about, amidst all.the turmoil. All the best guys. Go ahead and win the remaining games. We badly need a sigh of relief.

2 7

Lanka Lion - Sydney Tuesday, 02 October 2012 01:51 AM

England looked very mediocre in the absence of their South African born cricketers who have helped them lift their game in recent times. Samit Patel of Indian origin almost helped them secure victory from the jaws of defeat.Kevin Peitersen must be having the last laugh.

2 11

Rishan Tuesday, 02 October 2012 01:15 AM

Great performance ...Bright future for young Dananjaya...
keep it up guys and all the very best for the semis and look forward in the finals and to win the T20

1 16

Saman Monday, 01 October 2012 11:28 PM

Yeah!

1 6

Thomas The Engine Monday, 01 October 2012 09:04 PM

Good victory though Mahela may need to review the strategy again "Why Malinga was taken out of attack after the first over, when going great guns and kept bowling Ajantha while getting hammered all over the park". We need to win the semis.

19 13

Azmi Monday, 01 October 2012 07:56 PM

Congratulation! Keep it up

2 18

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