Philips-Boult shine as New Zealand crush Sri Lanka

Agency :
Glenn Philips smashed a brutal ton as Trent Boult picked up four-for to steer New Zealand’s 65-run win over Sri Lanka in the Super-12s of the T20 World Cup at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Phillips smashed a top-class 104 to rescue New Zealand after they slumped to 15-3 against Sri Lanka in their T20 World Cup group game at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, helping his team reach 167-7.
The Black Caps had a horror start after opting to bat with their top order blown away, losing Finn Allen, Doug Conway and Kane Williamson for 15 runs.
They crawled to 54-3 after 10 overs before Phillips let loose, hitting 10 fours and four sixes in his 64-ball knock.
It was the second century of the tournament, after South African Rilee Rossouw’s 109 against Bangladesh, and only the 11th in T20 World Cup history.
Plenty is on the line with Group One wide open after both matches in Melbourne on Friday — Australia v England and Afghanistan v Ireland — were washed out.
Whoever wins in Sydney will top the group and assume pole position to make the semi-finals with two games left.
Sri Lanka began with the spin of Maheesh Theekshana after losing the toss, and it immediately paid dividends.
Young opener Finn Allen took apart Australia’s hallowed pace attack in their opening game during a 16-ball 42, but he managed just three balls and one run this time, confounded by an inswinger in the opening over.
Doug Conway, who smashed an unbeaten 92 against Australia, fared little better. Spinner Dhananjaya de Silva joined the attack and Conway was bowled, also for one, deceived by the flight.