ST. GEORGE'S: Sri Lanka cruised to an eight-wicket win over Ireland in the teams' last World Cup Super 8 match on Wednesday, easily passing a lowly victory target.

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 for two with 40 of its 50 overs to spare.

Opener Upul 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 had each taken four wickets for Sri Lanka, with Maharoof's haul of four for 25 including the top four batsmen and three wickets in four balls. Muralitharan, who returned to the team after being rested for Monday's defeat to Australia, finished with four for 19.

Lowest total

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. — AP

SCOREBOARD

Ireland: J. Bray c Arnold b Maharoof 20, W. Porterfield c Jayasuriya b Maharoof 17, A. Botha c Sangakkara b Maharoof 0, E. Morgan c Sangakkara b Maharoof 0, N. O'Brien c Sangakkara b Muralitharan 4, K. O'Brien c Jayasuriya b Muralitharan 2, K. Carroll b Muralitharan 0, T. Johnston (run out) 0, K. McCallan lbw b Muralitharan 0, D. Langford-Smith lbw b Vaas 18, B. Rankin (not out) 7.

Extras: (lb-5, w-2, nb-2) 9. Total: (in 27.4 overs) 77.

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-28, 3- 28, 4-46, 5-48, 6-48, 7-49, 8-49, 9-5 Sri Lanka bowling: Vaas 5.4- 1-18-1, Kulasekara 7-3-10-0, Maharoof 10-3-25-4, Muralitharan 5-0-19-4.

Sri Lanka: U. Tharanga c Porterfield b Rankin 0, S. Jayasuriya (not out) 24, K. Sangakkara c Carroll b Langford-Smith 10, M. Jayawardene (not out) 39. Extras: (w-5, nb-3) 8. Total: (for two wkts. in 10 overs) 81.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-25.

Ireland bowling: Rankin 4-0- 36-1, Langford-Smith 3-0-29-1, Botha 1-0-4-0, K O'Brien 1-0-4-0, Carroll 1-0-8-0.

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