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by Elmo Rodrigopulle

The Sri Lankans who cleared the first hurdle in convincing style beating the strong Pakistanis to virtually clinch a semi-final outing, made short work of Holland in the second game beating them with ease by 206 runs under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday, September 17.

Sri Lanka who chose to bat first made mincemeat of the Dutch attack to run up a big score of 292 for 6 in 50 overs. leading the way was opener Marvan Atapattu who notched up a century 101 off 118 deliveries with 8 fours.

Atapattu who has not been in the runs for a while, grabbed the opportunity of batting first on an easy paced wicket.

None of the Dutch bowlers troubled him as he merrily made his way to the magic three figure score. Jayasuriya his opening partner looked set for another big score. But going for the big one too often lost his wicket for 36 but only after laying the platform for a big score by Sri Lanka putting on 59 for the first wicket.

Left-hander Sangakkara who was surprisingly out without scoring against the Pakistanis, showed that he was in good touch making a quick 41. Aravinda de Silva 23, Mahela Jayawardena 14, Arnold 22 n.o. and Vaas 16 entered double figures as Sri Lanka made their huge score.

When the visitors batted it was a procession with batsmen coming and going in quick succession. It was apparent that the Dutchmen lack experience. They hardly play any international cricket.

They are one of the two ICC qualifiers with Kenya to play in the next World Cup., Unless they can front up with other Test playing nations and gain the much needed experience, they will always be just making up the numbers.

Their fielding too was very poor and the bowling lacked direction.

When they batted after Pulasthi Gunaratne and Vaas made the early inroads, the magic off spin of Muttiah Muralitheran was too much for the Dutch batsmen and they succumbed to just 86 all out in 29.3 overs.

Muralitheran bagged the most wickets 4 for 15 in 5.5 overs with 2 maidens. The Dutch batsmen were all at sea against the viciously spinning ball and were non plussed when they were out.

In addition to add to the visitors troubles, the wicket was taking a lot of spin and Muralitheran was turning the ball square at times. Gunaratne the medium pacer who troubled the early batsmen finished with the figures of 2 for 19 in 4, Vaas had 1 for 11 and Kumara Dharmasena 2 for 14 in 9.3 overs Dharmasena who came in for leg-spinning all rounder Upul Chandana pitched his off cutters on a good line and length and was well rewarded. He is back in the game after a long-time and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands as his figures indicate.   [Back]

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