Cricket: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in World Cup.
ANGELO MATHEWS never doubted Sri Lanka would get over the line in yesterday’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
The co-hosts appeared to be coasting into Saturday’s final, against either India or Pakistan in Mumbai, as Tillekeratne Dilshan (73) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (54) were sharing a second-wicket stand of 120 in pursuit of only 217.
But it all got a little too tight for comfort under the Premadasa Stadium lights after both those batsmen departed in quick succession and Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 25 runs.
It therefore fell to the big-hitting Mathews and Thilan Samaraweera to settle the nerves and finish the job with an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 35.
“I never had any doubt, because I always thought we were going to win,” said all-rounder Mathews, who had to bat with a runner after injuring his thigh while fielding.
He did admit, though, Sri Lanka had not quite bargained for a much closer finish than they had against England in last weekend’s quarter-final.
“It was getting to us, because the pressure was on. We had to pull something out of the bag,” Mathews told Sky Sports.
“I couldn’t ask for any more, doing it in the semi-finals.”
He appears optimistic his injury will not stop him taking part on Saturday.
“We’ll have to see how it is tomorrow, and rest it.”
Master off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan marked the last match of his record-breaking international career in his native country – the forthcoming final will be his swansong – by taking a wicket with his last ball.
Both Mathews and Sangakkara were delighted to pay tribute to their country’s most famous cricketer.
“He’s just a legend – the best spinner in the world,” said the former.
“He’s done a great job right through the tournament. All credit to him.”
Sangakkara added: “He is the icon of Sri Lanka – as a champion, a cricketer and a human being.”
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