Game most embarrassing for SL

Christchurch, Sri Lanka have been so woeful in the first two One-day Internationals of a five-match series against New Zealand that the team’s leadership have been able to sum up their displays in three simple yet damning words — “pathetic, embarrassing and sorry.”
After being crushed by seven wickets in the first game at Hagley Oval, coach Jerome Jayaratne issued a public apology. He then urged his experienced players, particularly his top-order, to stand up to Brendon McCullum’s side.
Instead, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 117 in 27.4 overs on Monday with none of the top-order, including opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, scoring more than 17. All-rounder Kulasekara led the way with 19.
The hosts, led by Martin Guptill’s blistering 93 not out from 30 balls, then completed the total humiliation by racing to a 10-wicket victory inside nine overs. Such was the comprehensive nature of Monday’s performance that the game was over before the scheduled innings break. Captain Angelo Mathews did not pull any punches in a withering assessment of his team’s efforts.
“It was quite embarrassing. It was a pathetic batting display by the whole unit,” said Mathews.
“It was a belter of a wicket. It didn’t seam, or swing or bounce. It was just bad shot selection.
“We couldn’t handle it and we lost too many wickets up front and we did not give our bowlers a chance to bowl at them.”
The target of 118 was far too small on a pitch that should have produced more than 280 runs and with Guptill in an imperious mood, the home crowd was able to pack up their picnic baskets quickly and head home early.
Mathews, however, must now not only get his players to work on their technique but also try to lift their confidence to get his side back into the series that shifts to Nelson for the third and fourth games. — Reuters
Brief scores
Sri Lanka: 117 all out in 27.4 overs (Henry 4/33, McClenaghan3/32); New Zealand: 118/0 in 8.2 overs (Guptill 93*)