ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group 1, Sydney
New Zealand 167-7 (20 overs): Phillips 104 (64); Rajitha 2-23
Sri Lanka 102 (19.2 overs): Shanaka 35 (32); Bolt 4-13
New Zealand won by 65 runs.
Glenn Phillips played a brilliant innings of 104 runs off 64 balls as New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 65 runs in the Men’s T20 World Cup in Sydney.
The Black Caps were struggling at 15-3 before a brilliant counter-attack from Phillips helped them post 167-7.
Phillips was dropped for 12 and 45 as Sri Lanka suffered a sloppy fielding performance.
Kiwi fast bowler Trent Boult then took 4-13 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 102 in the last over.
The win keeps unbeaten New Zealand comfortably atop the Group 1 table, with Sri Lanka fifth.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, New Zealand were soon in trouble as they lost both openers and their captain Kane Williamson in the first four overs.
But an 84-run fourth-wicket partnership between Phillips and Daryl Mitchell, who scored 22, rebuilt the innings.
Phillips struck from the start despite the early wickets, taking advantage at the death before completing his half-century off 39 balls as New Zealand scored 54 runs in the last four overs.
Phillips’ century is the second ever in a World Cup after Riley Russo’s 109 against Bangladesh on Thursday.
Both the teams will play their next match on Tuesday in which New Zealand will face England and Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan.
New Zealand will beat England to qualify for the semi-finals, while Sri Lanka now have a slim chance, needing to win the remaining two matches and hope other results go their way.
