ICC World Twenty20: Day 9 Round Up

Sri Lanka win Super over thriller

27/9/12- Sri Lanka 174-6 20 overs (Dilshan 76) beat New Zealand 174-7 20 overs (Nicol 58) via the one over eliminator @ Pallekele

Sri Lanka have beaten New Zealand via a Super over, after both sides scored 174 off their 20 overs. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first, and they got off to a good solid start, reaching 57 before they lost their first wicket. Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor both played cameos, but it was Rob Nicol who played the best innings, scoring 58 off 40 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. But when he was out in the 16th over, they fell away slightly, finishing on 174-7 from their 20 overs.

It was certainly a good pitch to bat on, and with the way Sri Lanka started, it looked as if New Zealand's score was below par. They reached 68 off the powerplay, the highest score off the opening 6 overs in the tournament so far. Despite losing Jayawardene and Sangakarra, they were still going at 10 an over after 12 overs, but New Zealand managed to pull things back, removing Dilshan for a superb 76 in the penultimate over. With 8 required off the final over, Sri Lanka could only get 7, with a run out off the final ball.

Sri Lanka batted first in the super over, with Jayawardene and Perera scoring 13, before New Zealand could only manage 7 off their over, as Sri Lanka had won in the most dramatic of style.

So Sri Lanka have continued their 100% record in the tournament, and they look very good for the final, but New Zealand’s confidence would have taken a blow after the way they lost, and they will do well to come back fighting against England and the West Indies.

Man of the Match: Dilshan for his fantastic 76.Was at his best today, and without him, Sri Lanka wouldn’t have got near the New Zealand’s score.

Charles and West Indies too good for England

27/9/12- West Indies 179-5 20 overs (Charles 84, Gayle 58) beat England 164-4 20 overs (Morgan 71*, Hales 68) by 15 runs @ Pallekele

The West Indies have beaten England by 15 runs in Pallekele, with Johnson Charles putting in a man of the match performance.

Darren Sammy won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat first. Gayle opened up with Johnson Charles, and it was the former who showed his usual explosion, taking his side over 100 inside 11 overs. He reached his half century from 29 balls, and was taking a particular liking to Samith Patel’s left arm spin. And after Swann removed him, the big hitters kept coming, as Charles passed 50 for the first time in international T20’s. He reached 84 before Jade had him caught, and after some late order hitting, West Indies posted 179-5 off their 20 overs.

It was always going to be a tough task for England, but it was the same ground as the earlier game, so they knew the pitch would hold up well. However, we got off to the worst possible start, losing Kieswetter second ball and Wright third ball of the innings, both to inexcusable shots. Both Hales and Bairstow struggled to score quickly, and Bairstow was next out for 18. The rate required went up above 12, but Hales was still trying, reaching his half century of 37 balls. Morgan was also finding his best touch, reaching his 50 off just 25 balls. However, the ask was too large, and West Indies had won by 15 runs.

A disappointing performance from England then, with some of the bowlers giving away too many, and the terrible start with the bat didn't help. Hales and Morgan put on a great partnership of 107, but we were never in the game, and West Indies won quite comfortably.

Man of the Match: Johnson Charles for his superb 84.Deserved a hundred, but just grew tired towards the end, and a definite star of the future.