NEW DELHI, March 31 (TNN): Rangana Herath revived Sri Lankan hope for a semifinal berth claiming four quick wickets as New Zealand were half down even before crossing 30-mark during their chase of a moderate 120 in their last World T20 Super 10 match. After Martin Guptill got run out at the score of 18, Herath ripped through the Lankan top order by dismissing Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Jimmy Neesham and Luke Ronchi in quick succession.
While Guptill made 5 before getting run, McCullum failed to even get off the mark and was stumped out by Rangana Herath in the fourth over.
Herath then struck twice in the sixth over and scalped Taylor (0) and Neesham (0) in consecutive deliveries. The spinner first trapped Taylor in front of wicket while Neesham, who shone with the bowl earlier during the day, was bowled out.
In his next over Herath increased Kiwis worries by trapping Ronchi (2) leg before, reducing them to 29/5. Spinner Sachithra Senanayake also joined the party, removing Nathan McCullum to leave New Zealand tottering at 33/6 in 9.3 overs.
Earlier, Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham claimed three wickets apiece as New Zealand bowled Sri Lanka out for a moderate 119 with four balls to spare.
Boult, with a career best 3/20, ripped through the top order while Neesham, who had figures of 3/22, cut through the tail as Sri Lanka stumbled. Mitchell McClenaghan gave support with 2-24. Mahela Jayawardene scored 25 for Sri Lanka, while Lahiru Thirimanne made 20. Sachitra Senanayake, who made 17, helped Sri Lanka to get past 100. Earlier, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult put Sri Lanka on back foot with early wickets after they were invited to bat. Boult ripped through the Lanka top order and dismissing Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara in his consecutive overs to reduce them to 35/3 in seven overs.
