Mahela the marvel saves Lankan blushes

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

It was the marvellous century from former skipper Mahela Jayawardena that saved the blushes for Sri Lanka and helped them to a 14-run victory over Zimbabwe in a rain-marred ICC World Cup Twenty20 game at the Providence Stadium in a Guyana on Monday.

Rain that came down in buckets when the Zimbabweans started their reply required that the famous twins Duckworth and Lewis take strike to bring about a decision and according to their requirements Sri Lanka were winners in a revised game.

To Jayawardena it was a once in a life time knock by the likeable right hander that highlighted this clash. From the moment he took strike,he set the stadium alight with some copy book and stylish strokes that sent,not only the spectators taking in the action on the ground into raptures,but also had the TV commentators stuck for adjectives to describe this super fine innings.

This style of comedy cricket requires that a batsman plays weird strokes to obtain runs. But Jayawardena knocked that belief into a cocked hat as he played eye catching and technically correct strokes to clear the boundary and strike the fence. It was classical strokeplay.

and a treat to behold.

His three figure score came off 65 deliveries and included 4 superbly timed sixes and 10 exquisitely stroked fours. Jayawardena thus joins a select band of four cricketers who have scored centuries in Twenty20 cricket - West Indian Chris Gayle, New Zealander Brendon McCallum and Indian Suresh Raina.

The game against Zimbabwe was a do or die game for the Lankans. After succumbing to New Zealand in the opener, the Lankans had to win this one to stay afloat. Jayawardena who has always been a team man, realised the gravity of the situation and it was apparent that with every stroke he played and obtained his runs that he was doing it not for himself but to save face for the game and country.

Had the Lankans got beaten by the Zimbabweans it would have been a disgrace to tumble out of the tournament, considering that the Lankans were losing finalists in England last year.

Jayawardena has now put the Lankan cricketing engine back on rails and it is hoped that the rest of the team will take it from here and play the way we know they can, shedding their lackadaisical approach and getting down to playing serious cricket.

Jayawardena when interviewed after his magnificent 100 said that he was enjoying the game. And that is what matters. Jayawardena will have to keep going if Sri Lanka is to meet with further success.

Once again it was inexplicable the dropping of master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya to bat as low as number eight. The TV commentators were non plussed with one saying that it was unthinkable batting the champion as low as number eight.

One commentator made bold to say that it would be better not to play him,rather than embarrass the Member of Parliament by batting him low down. Many cricket fans called us to ask whether everything is not okay in the team Good questions are always welcome.