Wisden
 

Sri Lanka v New Zealand 1997-1998

At Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, July 5. Sri Lanka won by 87 runs. Toss: New Zealand.

Although they had not yet won a game, New Zealand had enough no-result points to have faint chance of booking a berth in the final on net run-rate. But, after Sri Lanka stormed to 293, they had to beat the target in 41.4 overs, a near-impossible task. After the home openers reached 69 in the 13th over, Ranatunga struck 102 from 98 balls, with two sixes and six fours - only his fourth century in 240 one-day internationals - and added 132 with De Silva. New Zealand's only hope was to lash out and Astle scored 74 in 76 balls. But losing Fleming was a serious blow, and they expired in the 40th over.

Man of the Match: A. Ranatunga.

© John Wisden & Co