Thaindian News

Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and teammate Mahela Jayawardene crossed the 9,000-run milestone in One-day Internationals (ODI) in their team’s biggest World Cup win over New Zealand here Friday. Sangakkara completed his 9,000 runs in ODIs, aggregating 9,062 at an average of 37.91 in 288 matches, while Jayawardene reached 9,050 at 32.32 in 332 ODIS.

The other highlights:
Captain Kumar Sangakkara received his 18th Man of the Match award in ODIs - his first at the World Cup. His match-winning 111 off 128 balls is his maiden century at the World Cup. His previous best while leading the side was 92 against Canada at Hambantota on Feb 20, 2011. Interestingly, the southpaw became the first captain-cum-wicketkeeper to register a hundred in the present tournament - a feat which virtually went unnoticed. Prior to this, he was without a century in his last 63 ODI innings. He is also the first wicketkeeper to effect ten stumpings at the World Cup.

Jayawardene and Sangakkara have shared a stand of 145 for the third wicket - Sri Lanka’s best stand against New Zealand at the World Cup. They have posted their eighth partnership of 100 or more for the third wicket in ODIs, equalling a world record. Damien Martyn and Ricky Ponting had amassed 2,700 in 54 innings at an average of 54.00, including eight century partnerships for Australia.

With 3,019 runs (ave.46.44) in 68 innings, the Jayawardene-Sangakkara pair became the first to aggregate 3,000 runs or more for the third wicket in ODIs.

Sri Lanka’s magnificent 112-run victory is their largest by runs margin over New Zealand, eclipsing the 81-run win at Kingston on April 24, 2007. They have become the fourth team in Group A to post four wins out of six played.

Muttiah Muralitharan’s performance of 4 for 25 is his second best at the World Cup - his best being 4 for 19 against Ireland at St.George’s on April 18, 2007. With the win here, he has participated in 200 wins in ODIs, capturing 364 wickets at an average of 18.17, including nine five-wicket hauls and 13 four-wicket instances.

New Zealand (153) registered their lowest total against Sri Lanka at the World Cup, even less than the 181 at Derby on June 18, 1983. The Kiwis total here is their fourth lowest at the World Cup. Against Australia, they were dismissed for 112 at Port Elizabeth on March 11, 2003 - their lowest at the World Cup.

Tim Southee’s wicket-aggregate of 14 wickets (ave.15.07) in six matches is the highest for New Zealand in the 2011 edition of the World Cup - the second best overall, next only to Shahid Afridi (16).

Ross Taylor has notched up 13 sixes - the highest in the present competition.