DAMBULLA, Aug 25 (Agencies): A combination of belligerent hitting by Virender Sehwag and potent seam bowling helped India storm to the final of the tri-series with 105-run thrashing of New Zealand in the last league game. On a day when a majority of specialist batsmen on both sides batted with two left feet in bowler-friendly conditions, Sehwag found a way to carve out an aggressive century, scoring more than what 11 New Zealanders managed.
A target of 224 turned out to be way out of New Zealand�s reach as their top order crumbled against a four-pronged seam attack, a combination one wouldn�t associate with Indian sides, especially in the subcontinent.
Expect for Kylie Mills (52), the Kiwi batsmen stumbled to a partly 130 in 30.1 overs. Pravin Kumar and Munaf Patel each took 3 wickets each, while, Ashish Nehra picked up 2 wickets.
Earlier, Virender Sehwag slammed a swashbuckling century as India recovered from early jolts to post 223 in their must-win cricket tri-series match against New Zealand here today.
Sehwag (110) notched up his 13th ODI century to give the Indian innings some respectibility after being at a precarious 66 for four at one stage on a tricky pitch at the Rangiri International stadium.
Barring Sehwag, none of the other Indian batsmen could really get going though captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38) played a good supporting role.
Tim Southee (4/49) was the pick of the Kiwis bowlers though he was a trifle expensive spinner Nathan McCullum (3/35) and Kyle Mills (2/42) were the other wicket-taking bowlers.
DAMBULLA, Aug 25 (Agencies): A combination of belligerent hitting by Virender Sehwag and potent seam bowling helped India storm to the final of the tri-series with 105-run thrashing of New Zealand in the last league game. On a day when a majority of specialist batsmen on both sides batted with two left feet in bowler-friendly conditions, Sehwag found a way to carve out an aggressive century, scoring more than what 11 New Zealanders managed.
A target of 224 turned out to be way out of New Zealand�s reach as their top order crumbled against a four-pronged seam attack, a combination one wouldn�t associate with Indian sides, especially in the subcontinent.
Expect for Kylie Mills (52), the Kiwi batsmen stumbled to a partly 130 in 30.1 overs. Pravin Kumar and Munaf Patel each took 3 wickets each, while, Ashish Nehra picked up 2 wickets.
Earlier, Virender Sehwag slammed a swashbuckling century as India recovered from early jolts to post 223 in their must-win cricket tri-series match against New Zealand here today.
Sehwag (110) notched up his 13th ODI century to give the Indian innings some respectibility after being at a precarious 66 for four at one stage on a tricky pitch at the Rangiri International stadium.
Barring Sehwag, none of the other Indian batsmen could really get going though captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38) played a good supporting role.
Tim Southee (4/49) was the pick of the Kiwis bowlers though he was a trifle expensive spinner Nathan McCullum (3/35) and Kyle Mills (2/42) were the other wicket-taking bowlers.
