/ 6 January 2007

Sri Lanka crush New Zealand

Sri Lanka crushed New Zealand by 189 runs in their one-day cricket international on Saturday.

New Zealand crashed to 73 l out in 26.3 overs at Eden Park in reply to 262-6 from the tourists.

The brilliance of two veteran Sri Lankan players in 37-year-old batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and bowler Chaminda Vaas (32) was crucial to the victory.

Jayasuriya blasted 70 runs off 44 balls to set up a large score while Kumar Sangakkara held the rest of the Sri Lankan innings together with a composed 79.

New Zealand had no answer to a great spell of in-swing bowling by Vaas, who finished with 3-10 from eight overs.

Speedster Lasith Malinga also tormented New Zealand, taking 3-14 from eight overs after Vaas ripped through the top of the order. — Sapa-AFP