Sri Lanka v New Zealand
15-Apr-2004
At Dambulla, May 19, 2003. New Zealand won by nine runs. New Zealand 5 pts, Sri Lanka 1 pt. Toss: Sri Lanka.
Another poor game was played on a pitch Fleming described as "rubbish", even though his
side won and qualified for the final. A New Zealand victory was unlikely when they were 104
for six after 43 overs, but McCullum, who faced 63 balls for his unbeaten 47, showed what could
be done. Vettori then adroitly exploited conditions to take four for 14, his best one-day figures,
enabling New Zealand to defend just 156. Sri Lanka's tactics were bewildering. First they opted
to bowl, despite including four front-line spinners on a pitch bound to take more turn as the day
wore on; then, ignoring McCullum's example and brief positive intent from Kaluwitharana, they
endured a slow death. With ten required from the final over, Jayawardene, who in all faced 102
balls, was last out to a desperate reverse sweep.
Man of the Match: D. L. Vettori.