Sana steers Lanka to easy win
Elmo Rodrigopulle in West Indies
WORLD CUP: Another majestic innings of 109 by the belligerent
Sanath Jayasuriya paved the way for an easy victory, as the Sri Lankans
cruised home by 198 runs against Bangladesh in a group ‘B’ World Cup
match at the Queen’s Park, Oval here today.
Sri Lanka who made 318 for 4, shot out the Bangladeshis for 112.
The game was interrupted by rain twice. In the morning session 32
minutes was lost and then when it rained a second time, Bangladesh had
to get 311 in a game reduced to 46 overs.
Jayasuriya on his way to his 24th century played some of the shots
that the cricketers from the Caribbean are famous for. He made the
Bangladesh attack that looked dangerous against India medicore as he
hammered them with disdain.
When he was cruising to his century he had to retire at 83 hampered
with cramps. But he came back later to play some amazing strokes, reach
the milestone and then spoon a catch playing the ungainly reverse sweep.
When Bangladesh batted, they lost an early wicket to Chaminda Vaas
and never recovered from that early loss. Then ‘slinger’ Lasith Malinga
bamboozled the other batsmen to capture three wickets and throttle the
opponents to a big defeat. Muralitheran, Arnold, Maharoof and Dilshan
had a wicket each. Sanath Jayasuriya was the man of the match.
The day dawned bright and sunny and when Bangladeshi skipper won the
toss and put Sri Lanka into bat, he did not expect it to be a batting
paradise.
The Lankan batsman shown the way by the dashing opener Sanath
Jayasuriya made merry to post a formidable score of 318 for 4, and make
Habibul Bashar regret his decision.
Tharanga and Jayasuriya gave the platform for the top order batsmen
to get into the run making act and reach their second score of over 300.
In putting the Lankans into bat, the Bangladeshis would have hoped to
get them cheaply like they did the Indian. But they did not bargain for
the batting prowess of the Lankans.
Jayasuriya who seems to be rejuvenating, sprayed his powerful strokes
to all areas of the field and did not hesitate to take on the fielders
posted nearby or on the boundary. He hit 7 sixes and 7 fours and it was
one, if not the best knock seen at this Oval.
After Tharanga and Jayasuriya put on 98 for the first wicket, the
batsmen who followed, skipper Mahela Jayawardena 46 in 55 balls, with
one six and three fours, Chamara Silva an unbeaten 52 off 48 with 2
sixes and 5 fours went to town as it were and gave the fair crowd a
batting exhibition that they would certainly have enjoyed and not
regretted coming to watch the Lankans show what they are capable with
the willow.
It was a pleasure to see Jayawardena in the runs again after a lean
trot. When he could have made more runs, his soft dismissal was
unforgivable and unbecoming of a captain.
Kumar Sangakkara again played a responsible innings that he is
usually accustomed to. He pierced the field with some exquisite strokes.
Chamara Silva the little right hander played a punishing innings. His
timing was superb and his wristly strokeplay saw him clear the boundary
with ease.
The Bangladeshi bowlers who rocked the Indian batting and brought
them an astonishing victory were off line and none of them looked
dangerous.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Thursday |