Mendis stars in Sri Lanka one-day series win

Updated November 11, 2012 10:33:59

Jeevan Mendis grabbed three wickets as Sri Lanka clinched the one-day series against New Zealand with a comfortable seven-wicket win in the fourth match in Hambantota on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Sri Lanka achieved a rain-revised target of 131 off 32 overs with more than five overs to spare to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The opening one-dayer was called off without a ball being bowled due to rain.

It was Sri Lanka's third successive win under the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method in the rain-hit series.

Opener Dinesh Chandimal (43), playing his first match of the series after replacing unfit opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Kumar Sangakkara (42 not out) added 87 for the second wicket to ensure their team's victory.

Sangakkara hit one six and five fours in his 55-ball knock.

"The bowlers stuck to their task. Batting under lights here was going to be tough but both Kumar and Chandimal batted very well and put up a decent partnership," said Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene.

"The win gives us an opportunity to experiment in the last game, but we will try to win."

Leg-spinner Mendis (3 for 15) earlier bowled Kane Williamson and Nathan McCullum with googlies in his third over before trapping Andrew Ellis leg-before in his next over, his three wickets coming off just five balls.

Man-of-the-match Mendis was superbly backed by fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara, who finished with 2 for 17 off five overs.

"I have been working hard for the last couple of months. I tried my best to get the hat-trick but I am happy with the three," said Mendis

Sri Lanka, who elected to field after winning the toss in overcast conditions, put in an impressive bowling performance to restrict New Zealand.

Brendon McCullum, who smashed left-arm spinner Rangana Herath over long-off for the first six of the match, top-scored for the tourists with 30 while Williamson and James Franklin each made 21.

"Sri Lanka played smart cricket and put us under pressure from the start. We are taking positives out from this game. Our bowlers bowled very well. We hope to at least get a win and avoid 4-0," said New Zealand captain Ross Taylor.

Sri Lanka got an early wicket when Kulasekara had opener Rob Nicol (11) caught by Upul Tharanga at mid-on in his third over.

Opener Bradley-John Watling, who scored half-centuries in the last two matches, could make just 15 this time as he was run out while Taylor made six before being caught behind off seamer Thisara Perera.

New Zealand suffered another blow when hard-hitting McCullum fell attempting a big shot, caught by Chandimal at long-on off Herath after hitting one six and two fours in his 44-ball knock.

New Zealand made two changes from the side that played the last match as it brought in Ellis and debutant paceman Adam Milne in place of Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram.

The fifth and final one-day international will be played at the same venue on Monday.

AFP

Tags: cricket, sport, sri-lanka, new-zealand

First posted November 11, 2012 08:38:59

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Mendis magic gives Sri Lanka perfect start

Updated September 19, 2012 07:37:25

Spinner Ajantha Mendis took a record six wickets for just eight runs as hosts Sri Lanka humbled Zimbabwe in the opening match of the World Twenty20 overnight.

Mendis, 27, marked his international return after an eight-month injury lay-off with the devastating haul to dismiss Zimbabwe for 100 in 17.3 overs in the Group C match in Hambantota.

Zimbabwe could never cope with Mendis's unreadable deliveries and collapsed like a pack of cards in pursuit of the daunting target of 183 set by Sri Lanka at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.

Sri Lanka, which lost the toss and was sent into bat, owed its total of 4 for 182 to Kumar Sangakkara (44) and Jeevan Mendis (43 not out), who shared a 94-run stand for the fourth wicket.

"It's tough paying a team like Zimbabwe," Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said.

"You can't take anything for granted. We had to make sure we played to our potential.

"It's a good wicket, just needed to get used to it a little bit. Our guys batted really well, and the bowlers then did a super job."

Mendis struck two blows in his first over, removing Vusi Sibanda (11) and Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor (0) off successive deliveries. He next had Zimbabwe's top-scorer Hamilton Masakadza (20).

He returned for his second spell and took four more wickets to end any lingering Zimbabwean hopes -- and improve his own international Twenty20 record figures of 6 for 16, set against Australia at Pallekele last year.

Jeevan Mendis took 3 for 24 to cap a great all-round performance.

"We are a better side than what we showed," Zimbabwe's captain Taylor said.

"Credit goes to Sri Lanka. They showed why they are one of the favourites to win the tournament.

"We have played enough cricket to go back from today, rethink and come back a better side."

Sangakkara, the newly crowned ICC player of the year, hit a 26-ball 44, studded with a six and two boundaries, while Jeevan Mendis smashed four boundaries and a six during his unbeaten 43 off 30 balls.

Both the left-handers lifted Sri Lanka from 3 for 82 after the hosts were put into bat.

Tillakaratne Dilshan hit five boundaries during his rapid 39 before he fell caught behind by Taylor off legspinner Graeme Cremer. Jayawardene was run out for 13 while debutant Dilshan Munaweera made 17.

Twelve teams competing in the event are divided in four groups, with the top two teams advancing to the Super Eight stage, which will decide the four semi-finalists.

Sri Lanka is bidding to end its 16-year wait for a second major title after winning the 50-over World Cup in 1996.

AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, twenty20, sri-lanka

First posted September 19, 2012 07:37:25

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