Cricket World Cup 2011
Fit Malinga destroys Kenya
2011-03-01 14:41
Lasith Malinga (AP)
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Colombo - Fit-again fast bowler Lasith Malinga took four wickets in six balls, including his second Cricket World Cup hat-trick, to dismiss Kenya for 142 in a Group A match in Colombo on Tuesday.
The 27-year sling-action bowler, who missed Sri Lanka's opening two matches due to a back strain, trapped Tanmay Mishra (0) lbw with the last ball of his seventh over.
At the start of his next over he clean-bowled Peter Ongondo and Shem Ngoche in successive balls to complete his hat-trick.
Malinga then bowled Elijah Otieno to complete a career-best 6-38 in his 7.4 overs, improving on his figures of 5-34 against Pakistan at Dambulla last year.
Malinga's ferocious bowling derailed Kenya, who opted to bat, after they were on course for a total of around 200 following half-centuries from brothers David Obuya (51) and Collins Obuya (52).
Kenya, shot out for 69 against New Zealand and 112 in their match against Pakistan, started disastrously with Nuwan Kulasekara dismissing opener Morris Ouma (one) in the second over before Malinga had Seren Waters (three) lbw in the next.
Collins Obuya, whose five wickets helped Kenya upset Sri Lanka at the 2003 World Cup, hit four boundaries during his sedate 100-ball knock. His elder brother David hit three fours during his 106-ball innings.
But Malinga, who also took a World Cup hat-trick against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup, dismissed Collins Obuya in his second spell before destroying the tail.
Malinga's hat-trick is the seventh in all World Cup matches and came just a day after West Indian Kemar Roach recorded a hat-trick against the Netherlands in New Delhi.