Scorecard | Images | Match report

The experiment of binding the playing surface at the Brabourne stadium with Poly Vinyl Acetate, commonly known as builders' glue, was commended after Sri Lanka's [Images] seven-wicket victory over New Zealand [Images] in the Group B ICC [Images] Champions Trophy [Images] league match in Mumbai.

"It was not a wicket on which we should have been bowled out for 165. They probably have got it right with this experiment. It was swinging a bit, but played better. We fell short by 80-100 runs and they bowled well," said New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming [Images].

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene [Images] and ace spinner Muthiah Muralitharan [Images], who was adjudged man of the match for a stifling spell of 4 for 23 in ten overs, also lauded the experiment that was conducted after the wickets in earlier matches drew flak from rival teams.

"It held firm and probably spun later, but the bounce was not alarming and dangerous," said Jayawardene, while Murali said, "The ball gripped the surface and it was a good wicket to bowl on.

"I am used to glue being used in Lancashire's games," he added.

Asked about the reasons for the defeat, Fleming felt that his team lost early wickets and there were no big partnerships or individual scores.

"The highest score was one of 46 by (Daniel) Vettori. We lost early wickets and their pace bowlers bowled well in the beginning. In this sort of situation Murali is a handful and invariably gets three or four wickets", he said.

New Zealand's defeat has opened up the group. Three teams -- Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand � are level with two points each. South Africa [Images], the fourth team, are winless after one match.

Jayawardene said the key to the match was the way Murali and Sanath Jayasuriya [Images] bowled in tandem in the middle overs to stifle the scoring rate.

"Our pace bowlers had bowled well and then Murali and Sanath applied constant pressure on them in tandem. Had they scored 220 or 230 it would have been a difficult target to chase," he added.

Sri Lanka's captain said the next clash with South Africa at Ahmedabad [Images] on Octtober 24 would be a tough one as the latter are a very good all-round side, but if his team mates play well they can beat the Proteas.

"It depends on what kind of wickets and conditions we get in Ahmedabad. If we play well we have a good chance," he said, expressing unhappiness about the number of extras -- by way of no balls and wide balls � his bowlers gave away.