| Player: | DL Vettori |
| Event: | ICC Champions Trophy 2009/10 |
DateLine: 28th September 2009
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori said he knew and had full confidence of a New Zealand victory after posting a 300 plus score.
Courtesy half-centuries from Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill, Kiwis routed Lanka by 38 runs which now boosts their qualifying chances from Group B.
Ryder, who has now been ruled out of the tournament with a groin injury, hit a scintillating 74 from 58 balls while Guptill scored 66 to help the Black Caps post a daunting 315 for seven.
Vettori, named man of the match afterward, was thrilled with the win saying it was especially pleasing coming in a big game against such imposing opposition.
"We've got 17 scores over 300 and we've won all of them so it's a nice record that we have," he said.
"But whenever you have (Tillakaratne) Dilshan, (Sanath) Jayasuriya, (Kumar) Sangakkara and Jayawardene in the top four you are wary of the skills they have.
"In the way they started, particularly Dilshan makes you fret a bit. But we kept picking up wickets at crucial times, even getting Jayawardene near the end was pretty crucial because if he and Kulasekara could have kept going, it would have been quite a nervy finish.
"But I think we maintained the pressure and we were on top most of the time, but we just couldn't kill it off until the end."
Vettori, who scored 48 and then claimed two for 45 in his 10 overs, was also satisfied that his side now have a good chance of qualifying for the semi-final - a victory over England in their last game will guarantee a place in the last four.
"It's a crucial win and obviously keeps us alive in the tournament and that's the most important bit.
"But I think the manner of the win is something that is really pleasing to ourselves and to our fans back home.
"We managed to put a really good score on the board thanks to our top three batters and then the finish we had at the end. So it as really good way to win."
