Super 8, Match 21, SL vs IRL: Sri Lanka bowls down Ireland

Sri Lanka cruised to an eight-wicket win over Ireland in the teams' last World Cup Super 8s match on Wednesday, easily passing a lowly victory total. Sri Lanka, which had already been assured of its place in the semifinals for almost a week, bowled out Ireland for a tournament low 77 before reaching 81-2 with 40 of its 50 overs to spare.
Opener Upal Thuranga fell in the opening over of Sri Lanka's reply at Grenada National Stadium. But Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene shared an unbroken third-wicket stand of 56 to seal the result.
Farveez Maharoof and Muttiah Muralitharan (4-19) had each taken four wickets for Sri Lanka, with Maharoof's haul of 4-25 including the top four batsmen and three wickets in four balls.

Ireland's total was the lowest of the tournament, replacing the 78 Bermuda managed against Sri Lanka in the first round. It was also the sixth lowest total in tournament history. However, Ireland's players took a well-deserved lap of honour after completing a first World Cup campaign that shocked everyone by stretching into the Super 8s.