1.40am
Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming fell in the first two overs as New Zealand slumped to 3-2 chasing 273 to beat Sri Lanka in their World Cup Group B in Bloemfontein today.
Astle was run out for nought by a direct hit from Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas as he
tried to pinch a quick single, while Fleming was caught by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara off seamer Pulasthi Gunaratne for one.
Earlier New Zealand's bowlers suffered a similar fate to their Australian and England counterparts as Sanath Jayasuriya flayed a century in Sri Lanka's 272 for seven.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first on a flat, easy-paced pitch, the Black Caps chased leather for 3-1/2 hours as Jayasuriya whacked 120 off 125 balls including 14 fours. He was backed up by 81 not out by Hashan Tillakaratne who was stricken by cramp and required a runner.
It could have been a lot worse for New Zealand but for some valuable contributions from Jacob Oram and Nathan Astle - who took three for 34 off seven overs - who stopped the total climbing near 300.
Jayasuriya's innings continued a remarkable sequence of recent one-day international scores from the tri-series in Australia which read 122, 106, six and 99.
The Sri Lankan captain though rode his luck. Daryl Tuffey and wicketkeeper Lou Vincent were adamant they had the explosive left-hander caught behind for 18 but England umpire Neil Mallender disagreed. Television replays suggested a slight edge.
Shane Bond was fast and accurate early on, removing Marvan Atapattu for six to a sharp square leg catch by Scott Styris in an opening spell of one for 19 off six overs.
Jayasuriya though was severe on Tuffey, taking 16 off his fifth over, while the introduction of Andre Adams was greeted with three consecutive fours through cover-point which brought up his 50 off 45 balls.
Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne added 170 off 182 balls for the second wicket but Jayasuriya continued his good fortune when he was dropped by Vincent on 86 and 93 standing up to the unlucky Styris.
He brought up his 16th one-day hundred in the 32nd over with an edge through third man off Bond.
Astle again proved a valuable partnership-breaker, trapping Jayasuriya leg before wicket and adding the quick scalps of Aravinda De Silva and Kumar Sangakkara. Oram took none for 37 off 10 while Bond ended with two for 44 off 10.
- NZPA
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1.40am
Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming fell in the first two overs as New Zealand slumped to 3-2 chasing 273 to beat Sri Lanka in their World Cup Group B in Bloemfontein today.
Astle was run out for nought by a direct hit from Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas as he
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