Grenada played host to the biggest mismatch of this World Cup when Sri Lanka crushed Ireland there on 18th April, 2007. The Irish set their opponents the lowest total in the tournament so far as they were dismissed for just 77 runs.

Marveez Maharoof and Muttiah Muralitharan each took seven wickets as Ireland tumbled to the lowest total of the tournament. Only Jeremy Bray (20), William Porterfield (17) and David Langford-Smith (18) of the Irish batsmen achieved double-figure scores.

Sri Lanka survived the shock early dismissal of opener Upui Tharanga for a duck but Sri Lanka captain Mahele Jayawardene (39) then swiftly led his team to 81-2 and an eight-wicket victory. Sri Lanka will now, almost certainly, avoid Australia in the semi-finals.

Ireland captain Trent Johnston, who led his side on a lap of honour after the game, said that he hoped Ireland would not be judged on this result but on their good overall performance in the competition. 

Article by Julian Armfield, BBC World Service Sport, reporting for Totally Barbados

Article Posted On:
April 20th, 2007

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