The first match of the Super Eights lived up to the expectations as Sri Lanka and New Zealand played one cracker of a match. Nothing could separate these two teams for the entire match and the results had to be decided through a super over.

And as it turned out to be none of the teams could score any boundaries in the super over and Sri Lanka held on to their nerve to win the match eventually.

Here are few of the hits and flops of the match:

Sri Lanka:

Hits:

Mahela Jayewardene: The skipper who was off colours in the previous matches got back to form and helped Sri Lanka in their chase. He was at his aggressive best and scored 44 of 26 balls including three fours and as many sixes.  And then also in the super overs, he helped Sri Lanka in putting up 13 which turned out to be a winning score.

Tillakaratne Dilshan: He is one of the best batsmen in the world and lived up to his reputation. He led the batting attack of his team and scored 76 in 53 deliveries including five fours and three sixes. He dominated the Kiwi bowling attack and never allowed them any breathing space. He middled almost everything and hardly played any bad shots.

Lasith Malinga: Malinga the most vital cog of Sri Lankan bowling attack was very instrumental in the match. He was superb in the super overs and defending a target of 13 runs, he bowled with great precision to get restrict New Zealand for 10 runs.

Flops:

Ajantha Mendis: After a great start to the tournament, a lot was expected of him. But then he failed to deliver on the expected lines and leaked too many runs for the captain’s liking. He gave away 48 runs in four overs.

New Zealand:

Rob Nicol: Nicol got New Zealand off to a flyer and also ended as the top scorer for his side. He played well for his 40 balls 58 laced with three fours and four sixes. He also combined with Martin Guptill to stitch a 57 runs opening partnership.

Tim Southee: With eight runs required of last over, Ross Taylor took a very brave decision to let Southee bowl the ultimate over. Southee was very expensive in his spell so far but then pulled off a brilliant final over. Sri Lanka required eight runs of the last over to win the match but then he bowled beautifully and gave only seven runs.

Jacob Oram: Jacob Orams is one of the most vital members of this Kiwi side and his depends on him a lot. But then he has not been able to live up to his expectations and even in yesterday’s match when it was required for him to play a good innings, he could just six runs.

By Indian Sports News Network