England v India

At R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, September 22 (day/night). India won by eight wickets. Toss: England.

Virender Sehwag's appetite for destruction bordered on the gluttonous as England were swept aside in what was effectively a quarter-final. No team had ever chased more than 244 and won at the Premadasa, but Sehwag decided history was bunk and India overhauled 269 with ten overs to spare. Ganguly finished the demolition job with some attacking strokes - including a mammoth six that took him to his hundred - but his tune was barely heard amid the clatter of Sehwag's strokeplay. The drives flowed, the cuts lacerated and the flicks raced through mid-wicket as first Caddick and then Giles were given the Torquemada treatment. By the time Sehwag was out for 126 from 104 balls, England were just going through the motions. Their batsmen had struggled after a feeble start until Ian Blackwell arrived at the crease to show up the poverty of India's bowling options. He slammed 82 from 68 balls and added 104 off 15 overs with Stewart. England's total looked healthy, but once Knight grassed a hard chance at second slip with Sehwag on three, there was only one outcome.

Man of the Match: V. Sehwag.