Vettori leads New Zealand to five wicket win

The fourth match of the preliminary round of matches in the Double Wicket World Cup featured Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Sri Lanka, batting first started their innings in a cautious manner. But, after the second over Aravinda De Silva got into the swing of things, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground. He however, lost his wicket a couple of times in the process causing his team to suffer the penalty of 10 runs being deducted each time.

Mahela Jayawardene soon joined in the attacking mode, thanks in part to some friendly bowling by the New Zealanders. De Silva was, however, out three times in scoring 27 runs, and ended up with a net score of -3 runs, while Jayawardene ended with 26 runs.

After eight overs, the Sri Lankans managed to get 56 runs, and lost wickets three times, for a net score of 26 runs. Bowling for New Zealand, Daniel Vettori got 3 for 28 from his four overs, and Jacob Oram got 0 for 28, also from four overs.

New Zealand needing 27 runs to win from their eight overs, started their innings in a business-like manner. Although not getting the boundaries, they were contented in picking up the singles and the twos.

After a couple of overs though, Daniel Vettori, the more attacking of the two started some big hitting and in the process lost his wicket three times, and suffering the huge penalty of 30 runs at the same time.

The Kiwis were never in doubt of winning this contest, and ended up scoring 61 runs for a net of 31 runs, and victory by 5 runs and more importantly, two very important points going forward.