Watch the highlights of New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 9th Match Benson & Hedges World Series Cup 1988 - Benson & Hedges World Series Cup one-day international tournament of the 9th ODI match played between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane in 16th January 1988.
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| Martin Crowe plays a shot © Channel 9 / Cricket Australia / YouTube |
Ewen Chatfield and Danny Morrison's combined 5-wickets and Martin Crowe's crucial 43 sets up to New Zealand convincing four-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and enter into the best-of-three finals in a low-scoring game of the ninth match of a Benson and Hedges World Series Cup.
Sri Lanka scored 164-8 in the alloted 39 overs with top scorer by Brendon Kuruppu cracked a 47 off 71-balls including 5-fours.
Aravinda de Silva hit a run-a-ball 25-runs including 4-fours, Arjuna Ranatunga scored 25 off 27-balls included 2-fours and Ravi Ratnayeke 15 not out.
New Zealand best bowler by Ewen Chatfield picked up 3-wickets for 27-runs in 10-overs with economy rate of 2.70 and Danny Morrison took 2-wickets.
New Zealand chased 167-6 in 37.1 overs with top scorer by Martin Crowe cracked a 43 off 60-balls including 4-fours.
Andrew Jones scored 29 off consuming 61-balls including two boundaries, John Wright 22, Richard Hadlee 21 not out, Tony Blain 17 and Martin Snedden 15 not out.
This match reported by Mike Coward (Third Party Reference from SMH)
A TESTY Martin Crowe gently guided a tired and vulnerable New Zealand into the finals of the World Series Cup competition.
Crowe, named Man of the Match and the only world-class batsman on show on a stormy, steamy day, gathered 43 as New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets with 11 balls in hand in an uninspiring qualifying match contested over 43 and then 39 overs at the Gabba.
New Zealand, which lost the WSC finals to Australia in 1980-81 and 1982-83, will meet Australia in the best of three finals series which starts in Melbourne on Friday.
The Sri Lankans, who lifted their stocks over the past week, will now intensify their preparations for their first Test match in Australia, at the WACA ground, Perth from February 12.
The New Zealanders, who were fined $1,800 for failing to bowl 43 overs in the allotted time yesterday, will be looking for a considerable improvement in form when they play Australia at the Gabba tomorrow. Unsettled weather has been forecast for tomorrow's match.
There was little to enthuse a crowd of 5,546 yesterday as NZ finally ended Sri Lanka's slim hopes of making a impact on the competition.
Only Sri Lankan opener Brendon Kuruppu and Crowe topped 30 on a day when the bowlers held sway on a pitch which provided pace and bounce.
Crowe, who has manfully carried such a burden all the season, took his 43 from 60 deliveries before being run out fromm deep by Champaka Ramanayake.
Crowe was upset by the decision and appeared to exchange words with umpire Robin Bailhache as he withdrew.
While his dismissal left New Zealand. in a particularly wobbly position in the 33rd over, Richard Hadlee and Martin Snedden saw them home as the light faded quickly.
New Zealand's acting captain John Wright had no hesitation in sending Sri Lanka in to bat when he won the toss.
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