MUMBAI: Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara scored his maiden World Cup century to rescue his team after some early jitters and set New Zealand a 266-run target in their World Cup Group A match on Friday.The left-hander (111) braved sweltering heat and humidity at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium to reach his 11th ODI hundred and added crucial 145 runs for the third wicket with Mahela Jayawardene after Sri Lanka were tottering at 19 for two.
Tim Southee, with three for 63, was the most successful New Zealand bowler as the co-hosts ended their innings at 265 for nine after opting to bat first.
Sangakkara, who hit 12 fours and two sixes, took just six deliveries during the batting powerplay to canter from 80 to his hundred after blasting three boundaries and a six.
Jayawardene (66) provided able support with some cheeky hits to the fence after the Islanders lost openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan cheaply.
While on 26, the right-hander was lucky to survive a caught and bowled attempt by a diving Nathan McCullum after the third umpire gave the benefit of doubt to the batsman.
Tensions flared up following the decision as stand-in New Zealand captain Ross Taylor and the off-spinner had a heated debate with the on-field umpires.
The Sri Lankan lower middle order, barring Angelo Mathews, failed to capitalise in full on the solid foundation as they lost six wickets for 50 runs while trying to up the tempo during the slog overs.
New Zealand suffered another injury scare as fast bowler Hamish Bennett limped off the field after spraining his left ankle during his delivery stride at the start of his fifth over.
The Kiwis are already without regular captain and frontline spinner Daniel Vettori and paceman Kyle Mills, who are recovering from injuries to get fit for the knockout stages.
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