Sri Lanka crush England, face NZ in semis
Colombo: All the theories of who would have their name etched on the World Cup have been blown apart in a series of results which have a strong Asian flavour.
Only New Zealand remain of the maybe teams and now meet Sri Lanka in the first of the semi-finals at Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday after England exited the quarterfinals on Saturday night in a steamy Khettarama cauldron. They were handed a comprehensive 10 wickets hiding on the back of two centuries in a juggernaut first-wicket partnership which made a major impression on the tournament.
Repeating centuries by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upal Tharanaga – they did the same against Zimbabwe – helped Sri Lanka to 231 without loss with Dilshan all but crippled by cramp, as records were set in a display of controlled batting by two batsmen who have learnt to compliment one another’s styles.
So, instead of the possibility of a Duckworth/Lewis result that loomed at one stage earlier in the day with showers threatening from the south, the England bowlers were totally clueless how to defend the 229 their batsmen put together.
When a list of possible World Cup winners for 2011 was drawn up back in early February, Australia, England and South Africa featured heavily along with India and Sri Lanka. There was no Pakistan and most decidedly no New Zealand. It was suggested the Kiwis along with the West Indies would be fortunate to make the quarterfinals. Well, Shahid Afridi and Daniel Vettori lead their sides have found themselves in the semi-final draw; they also know how that extra step is not going to be easy.
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