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It was back to business for World Cup co-hosts Sri Lanka, as they put the disappointing loss they suffered at the hands of Pakistan quickly behind them to crush minnows Kenya by 9 wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. Kenya threatened to make a match of the contest thanks to patient half-centuries from the Obuya brothers - Collin and David. However, Lasith Malinga celebrated his first outing of the World Cup by capturing six wickets including a late hat-trick to rout the Kenyans for just 142. Sri Lanka made quick work of the paltry target, knocking off the runs in just 18.4 overs thanks to an unbeaten half century from Upul Tharanga, and a 44 run cameo from Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Kenya won the toss and decided to bat first, hoping to put up a decent total and put Sri Lanka under a little bit of pressure. Their primary objective was always going to be to try and bat out the first 50 overs, however, two leg before decisions inside the first three overs seemed to quickly put paid to that idea. Nuwan Kulasekara started the rout, trapping Maurice Ouma (1) in front of the stumps with an inswinging delivery and then Malinga darted in one of his trademark yorkers practically crushing Seren Waters' toe.

Collins and David Obuya tried to stabilize the innings, however, both batsmen took on a largely defensive role and ate up a lot of deliveries. They saw the new ball off, and looked at relative ease against the spinners, but failed to get a move on at any stage of the innings. Sri Lanka had though they had removed David, but Ajantha Mendis' appeal was overturned by the third umpire.

Collins Obuya, who had dominated the strike got to his half century first, but departed immediately after, cleaned up by another terrific Malinga yorker. Kenya had made their way past the 100 run mark, and though David too brought up his half century in the 40th over, the beginning of the end was nigh.

Veteran batsman Steve Tikolo struck one straight to Dilshan at point off the bowling of Mathews, and Muttiah Muralitharan got David Obuya to hit one straight to Thilan Samarweera at square leg in the 41^st over. It was Malinga time after that as he came in and blew away the tailenders, picking up his second hat-trick in World Cups. All of Malinga’s dismissals were either bowled or leg before as he put on a master class of bowling yorkers.

Sri Lanka were in a hurry to chase down the target and Dilshan was scoring boundaries at will. He was moving around the wicket and disturbed the length of the Kenyan bowlers. Tharanga too started striking the ball off the middle of the bat, and though not quite keeping pace with his opening partner, was no slouch either.

Dilshan raced to 44 from just 30 deliveries, eventually falling to Elijah Otieno, while attempting the upper cut to a ball that got big on him. Captain Kumar Sangakkara came in and ensured that Sri Lanka cruised to victory without losing any more wickets. Tharanga remained unbeaten on 67 while Sangakara raced to 27. Sri Lanka coasted home with 9 wickets and more than 31 overs to spare and as a result of their big win, went top of the table for a few days at the very least.

Sri Lanka next face the undefeated Australians on Saturday and having lost already to Pakistan, this is a game they could ill afford to lose. While Sri Lanka's quarter-final qualification doesn't remain a major worry, a third or fourth place finish in the table could mean running into the likes of South Africa or India in the next round, opponents the co-hosts would be keen to avoid.

Kenya after facing three tough opponents have Canada as their next assignment. Both minnows have been run ragged in the tournament thus far, and will be anxious to pick up a consolation win against the other. They square-off next Monday at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.

Teams:

Sri Lanka: U Tharanga, T Dilshan, K Sangakkara(wk & c), M Jayawardene, T Samaraweera, C Silva, A Mathews, N Kulasekara, M Muralitharan, L Malinga, A Mendis

Kenya: M Ouma(w), S Waters, C Obuya, D Obuya, S Tikolo, T Mishra, J Kamande(c), N Odhiambo, P Ongondo, S Ngoche, E Otieno

Mini Scorecard

Kenya 142 all out in 43.4 overs (3.25 runs per over)
C Obuya 52(100) L Malinga 6-38
D Obuya 51(106) N Kulasekara 1-18

Sri Lanka 146/1 in 18.4 overs (7.82 runs per over)
U Tharanga 67*(59) Otieno 1-26
T Dilshan 44(30)

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File Photograph Copyright: ICC World T20