Sri Lanka beat B'desh by 88 runs
 

by Dinesh Weerawansa

An explosive 50 off just 35 balls by Mahela Jayawardene, backed by half centuries by skipper Marvan Atapattu (55) and opener Upul Tharanga (60) helped Sri Lanka thrash Bangladesh by 88 runs in their first of the three one day internationals played at SSC grounds, yesterday.

Chasing a target of 270 in 50 overs, Bangladesh were never towards their goal and finally ended at 181 for 9 in their 50 overs. They lost their first seven wickets for 94 runs by the 27th over but still managed to bat through the entire quota of 50 overs, thanks to some seansible batting by Bangladesh last pair.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss on a good batting track but allowed the hosts to take the first lease. Sri Lanka got off to a flying start, scoring 51 runs off the first eight overs before opener Sanath Jayasuriya (25 off 26 balls) fell to an inswinger from opening bowler Tapash Baisya.

Then came a useful 76-run stand in 19 overs for the second wicket as opener Tharanga was joined by captain Atapattu. Tharanga departed ten runs after registering his maiden ODI half century when he tried to drive a straight ball from Ahmed and missed. He made 60 off 80 balls with eight fours.

Skipper Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara used their experience to grab 51 runs in 60 balls, to make a smooth drive for Sri Lanka. But the real headache for Bangladesh bowlers started when Jayawardene walked into the middle after Sri Lanka lost Sangakkara (22) as the third wicket with the total on 178 in the 38th over.

Jayawardene showed no mercy for Bangladesh bowlers who were hit to all corners of the picturesque SSC grounds. Unfortunately, not much of a crowd was present to watch Jayawardene's quick fire innings of 50, which included eight boundaries in just 35 balls.

Jayawardene went on to strengthen the Lankan innings and was out only off the last ball of the home team's innings when he gambled on suicidal second run. But by then, Sri Lanka had put on 269 runs on the board.

Bangladesh's opening bowlers found a little gentle swing but Sri Lankan batsmen had good control to keep the scoreboard moving regularly.

Medium paceman Syed Rasel and his new ball partner making ODI debut, Baisya could do little when the Lankan batsmen were in total control.

Sloppy ground fielding was witnessed throughout the Lankan innings as Bangladesh failed to put pressure on Sri Lankan batsmen. Tharanga had a 'life' when he was on eight, dropped at second slip by Shahriar Nafees and then survived a possible run out. He was left stranded mid-pitch after being sent back by his senior partner Jayasuriya, following a sharp stop at backward point.

Nafees dropped his second catch at slips as the lady luck smiled on Atapattu when he was on four. A relatively straightforward low chance to his right but Nafees was off colour. Bangladesh's misfortunes continued as Tharanga had his second escape when he was dropped at backward point by Mohammad Ashraful, soon after reaching his maiden one day international half century.

Atapattu departed after dancing down the track in an unsuccessful attempt to loft inside-out off Rafique to be caught at deep cover by Omar. Russel Arnold (12) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (1) departed in quick succession but Jawawardene was in full cry to take Sri Lanka's challenge to slog overs with some innovative stroke play.

Bangladesh's margin of defeat would have even been larger, if not for that fighting 54-run unfinished last wicket partnership between Syed Rasel (15) and Tapash Baisya (22 n.o), who survived for over 16 overs in a desperate attempt to hold on till the end. Thus, the Bangladesh last pair battled from a helpless 127 for 9 in 33.4 overs to end their 50 overs at 181 for 9.

The main contributions towards Bangladesh's unimpressive total came from Thushar Imram (39 off 59 balls with six boundaries) and Khaled Masud (39 off 82 balls with five fours) but those were far below asking after the Lankan batsmen Jayawardene, Tharanga and skipper Atapattu made merry against the inexperienced Bangladesh bowling attack.

Mohammed Maharoof was the pick of the Lankan bowlers, finishing with 3 for 29 off his seven overs while Dilhara Fernando and Chandana chipped in with two wickets apiece. Surprisingly, two of Sri Lanka's frontline bowlers paceman Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, went wicketless, jointly giving away 43 runs in the 17 overs shared between them.

However, the Lankan off spin wizard was economical as usual, giving away only 22 runs in his ten overs, of which two were maidens.

The two remaining matches of the three-ODI series between the two teams will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium on September 2 and 4 before they move into the two-Test series.