A brilliant caught and bowled by Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan has ended New Zealand’s semifinal hopes in the ICC Champions Trophy.
The BLACKCAPS needed Australia to beat Sri Lanka in the final Group A match in London today, but unfortunately our trans-Tasman neighbours fell 20 runs short with Dilshan grabbing the final wicket.
Chasing 254 in 29.1 overs to secure their own semifinals spot, Australia lost early wickets as they tried to meet the almost impossible target. Despite a last wicket stand of 41 from Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty the Australians were unable to hold on for victory, which would have handed the Kiwis the semifinals spot.
Instead Sri Lanka secured second in Group A and they will meet India in the second semifinal in Cardiff on Thursday, while England went to the top of Group A after today’s result and will face South Africa in London on Wednesday.
The BLACKCAPS will finish their English tour with two Twenty20s against the home side at the Oval in London on 25 and 27 June.
