South Africa brimming with confidence and Sri Lanka must patch-up loose ends

CRICKET: JOHANNESBURG, Sept 19, 2009 - South Africa and Pakistan secured victories in their Champions Trophy warm-up matches on Friday, but New Zealand suffered a morale-sapping defeat.

At Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 108 runs.

Pakistan made 306-8 with opener Kamran Akmal making 82 off 78, Misbah-ul-Haq hitting 72 off 85 balls, and Umar Akmal contributing 67 off 51.

Both were removed by spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, while seamer Nuwan Kulasekara headed the Sri Lankan attack with 3-46.

Pakistan fast bowler Naved-ul-Hasan, however, bagged 5-41 as they reduced Sri Lanka to 198 all out in reply. Chamara Kapugedera made 59 off 70 balls and Angelo Mathews hit 49 off 88.

It was somewhat soothing for South Africa as they play the opening match in the tournament against Sri Lanka at Super Sport Park, Centurion on Tuesday.

For Sri Lanka it was defeat.

Pakistan's paceman Naveed-ul-Hasan took 5 for 41 and Sri Lanka were all out for 198.

The hosts South Africa thumped an under-strength West Indies team by 188 runs at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith smashed 83 off 74 balls and Jacques Kallis made 89 from 90 before JP Duminy hit an unbeaten 80 off 49. Mark Boucher added a thunderous 55 from 27 in guiding his side to 388-4 in 50 overs.

The only cloud for South Africa was seeing opener Herschelle Gibbs forced to retire hurt with an abdominal side strain.

West Indies, who have been forced to bring a second-string squad to the tournament because of a player contract rebellion, had little to offer in reply, with Darren Sammy making the biggest contribution of 52 off 71 before being dismissed for 200.

Spin bowler Roelof van der Merwe led the South African attack with a return of 4-34.

In Pretoria, domestic side Warriors earned a surprise two-wicket win over New Zealand with seven balls to spare.

The Black Caps got off to a decent start after they lost the toss and were sent in to bat, but their middle and lower order crumbled.

Martin Guptill guided them to 210-4 in the 40th over with 78 runs off 97 deliveries but their last six wickets fell for only 27.

Juan Theron led the Warriors charge in ripping the tail to pieces, returning 5-42.

In contrast, the Warriors' middle order recovered from an ordinary start with skipper Davey Jacobs leading from the front, making 54 off 56 to secure victory.

New Zealand's Ian Butler took 4-53 and fellow paceman Daryl Tuffey returned 3-49.

The eight-nation Champions Trophy gets under way on Tuesday.

Results

At Potchefstroom: South Africa v West Indies

South Africa: 388-4, 50 overs (J. Kallis 86, G. Smith 83, JP. Duminy 80 not out, M. Boucher 55).

West Indies: 200 all out, 41.1 overs (D. Sammy 52, D. Richards 41; R.Van der Merwe 4-34).

South Africa win by 188 runs

At Benoni: Pakistan v Sri Lanka

Pakistan: 306-8, 50 overs (K. Akmal 82, M. Ul-Haq 72; Kulasekara 3-46).

Sri Lanka: 198 all out, 46.5 overs (C. Kapugedera 59, A. Mathews 49; N. Ul-Hasan 5-41).

Pakistan win by 108 runs

At Pretoria: New Zealand v Warriors

New Zealand: 237 all out, 46.1 overs (M. Guptill 78, R. Taylor 51, G. Elliott 47; J. Theron 5-42).

Warriors: 239-8, 48.5 overs (D. Jacobs 54; I. Butler 4-53, D. Tuffey 3-39).

Warriors win by two wickets.

AFP