Sri Lanka beat West Indies
Published:Wednesday | June 10, 2009 | 12:48 PM
West Indies, playing without captain Chris Gayle, lost their final Group ‘C’ match of the International Cricket Council World 20/20 Championships to Sri Lanka today at the Oval in England.
Sri Lanka won by 15 runs in a match of academic interest as both sides had already progressed to the Super Eight phase of the Championships.
Sri Lanka, sent in to bat by the Caribbean Side, piled up 192 for five off their allotted 20 overs with opener Sanath Jayasuriya leading the way with 81 off 47 balls.
He was well supported by his opening partner Tillakaratne Dilshan who smashed 74 off 47 deliveries.
Lendl Simmons, who replaced the injured Gayle, was the most successful bowler with four from 19 off three overs.
West Indies replied with 177 for five with Dwayne Bravo top scoring with 51. Simmons chipped in with 29 and Ramnaresh Sarwan scored 28 not out.
West Indies have advanced to Group E in the Super Eight stage of the competition, where they will face reigning champions India, recent rivals England and South Africa.
They open the Super Eights against India on Friday at Lord’s to be followed by South Africa the next day at The Oval, and complete the round against England on Monday at The Oval.
The top two sides from each of the two Super Eights group will advance to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, rain has delayed the start of the second game between India and Ireland. Both teams have already qualified for the Super Eight stage.