http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 praises Jayawardene and Thirimanne – Cricket news
Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan skipper, is very happy to have qualified for the semi-final of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hettige-Don-Rumesh-Lahiru-Thirimanne-c63124 for helping their side post a
competitive total on the board.
Thanks to brilliant half-centuries by Jayawardene and Thirimanne, the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 posted a handsome total of 253 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
The total proved to be enough for the Kangaroos, who were bowled out for just 233 runs in the 43rd over of the innings, with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802 picking up three crucial wickets to break the back of the Aussie batting.
While expressing his views in the post-match presentation ceremony, the Sri Lankan skipper thanked the crowd at the Oval for supporting his side. The all-rounder is excited to be in the semis and hopes that his side will prosper in the knockout stage of
the all-important competition.
“We knew it was going to be tough, defending 253,” said Mathews. “Thirimanne and Jayawardene batted well to get us to that score. I have never seen a crowd like this in the Oval before, and it was good to have the support. Our first target was the semis.
Will enjoy tonight and see how it goes after that.”
For an unbeaten 84 off 81 balls with the help of 11 boundaries, Jayawardene was named as the Player of the Match.
Australia, on the other hand, were handicapped due to the unavailability of Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bailey-c1480, the stand-in captain, expressed that Clarke is getting better with the passage
of time and should be fit to take part in the Ashes, which begins from July 10, with the first Test at Trent Bridge.
“http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 is still improving and there is still a big series ahead. There are plenty of positives around and it was good to see the last two fight it out,” he added.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the second semi-final of the tournament on Thursday at Cardiff.
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