India made light work of Sri Lanka in their final World Cup 2019 league stage match at Headingley in Leeds on Saturday.
Riding on their seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka, India took the top spot on the points table with 15 points from nine matches. On the other hand, Australia, who were the table toppers before their 10-run defeat against South Africa, slipped to second position. England are placed third with 12 points, while New Zealand occupy the fourth spot with 11.
India will take on New Zealand in the first semi-final to be played at Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday. Australia will lock horns with England in the second semi-final that is scheduled to be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday. The final will be played at the Lord’s on Sunday.
Rohit Sharma became the first player to hit five centuries in a single World Cup as India cantered to an all-important seven-wicket win.
The opener smashed 103 off 94 deliveries as semi-finalists India chased down their target of 265 in 43.3 overs to end the group stage with seven wins, one defeat and a washout.
Sharma’s opening partner K.L. Rahul top-scored with 111 as the pair put on 189 runs for the first wicket to put India in complete command. Player of the Match Sharma reached his milestone with a boundary off Kasun Rajitha to pass the mark set by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who scored four hundreds at the 2015 tournament.
His century came off 92 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes.
As far as Australia are concerned, Faf Du Plessis’ side made 325/6 and restricted the holders to 315 all out in the run chase on Saturday.
Australia’s defeat, only their second of the tournament, meant they had to settle for second place in the group table, which concluded with their match at Old Trafford.
Scores: Sri Lanka: 264 for 7 in 50 overs (Angelo Mathews 113, Thirimanne 53, Dhananjaya de Silva 29, J. Bumrah 3 for 37) lost to India: 265 for 3 in 45.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 103, K.L. Rahul 111, V. Kohli 34 n.o.); Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma.
South Africa: 325 for 6 in 50 overs (Faf du Plessis 100, Rassie van der Dussen 95, Aiden Markram 34, Quinton de Kock 52, M. Starc 2 for 59, N. Lyon 2 for 53) bt Australia: 311 in 49.5 overs (D. Warner 122, Alex Carey 85, Stoinis 22, Kagiso Rabada 3 for 56, D. Pretorius 2 for 27, A. Phehlukwayo 2 for 22); Player of the Match: Faf du Plessis.
This post was published on July 7, 2019 6:10 pm