Magnificent Mahela sparkles with 96 in 50 balls

Helps Wayamba remain unbeaten in SLPL:

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting

Wayamba’s magnificent Mahela Jayawardene entertained the large crowd to an exhibition of majestic stroke play as he made mincemeat of the Nahenahira attack to race to 96 not out in 50 balls and help his side to a 56-run victory and remain unbeaten.

Wayamba after making a massive 190 for 4 in 20 overs, skittled out Nagenhira for 134 in 19.5 overs to get home by 56 runs. The clash between the unbeaten teams, Wyamba and Nagenahira was eagerly awaited in the SLPL at the Pallekele Intenational Stadium.

During the previous game, crowds were building up in anticipation that the game between the unbeaten teams would provide the sparks. And provide it did, as fours and sixes cascaded from the bat of Sri Lanka and Wayambo skipper Jayawardene which sent the crowd into raptures, yelling and craving for more and more. Believe it or not, Jayawardene smashed 11 fours and 5 sixes in 50, repeating 50 balls.

It was deafening and the sounds of the papare, papare bands were drowned as the crowd in unison kept yelling – ‘Mahela,Mahela’. And did not the great man oblige.

His stroke play was unbelievable. From first ball he let his bat do the talking as he just waded into the attack, taking it by the scruff of its neck and spraying it to all places in the field and over it as well. That he fell short of a well deserved hundred by four runs was a travesty of justice. When he walked back 96 not out, the packed stadium stood up and gave him a deafening cheer in appreciation and thanking him for providing them with a rare treat of stylish, well executed and well timed stroke play.

It was the best, exciting and thrill a minute stroke play seem in the tournament so far. Jayawardene is sure to put on show a repeat to his milling fans in Colombo when the tournament continues at the R.Premadasa Stadium. Giving Jayawardene ample support was all rounder Kaushalaya Weeraratne who hit hard for 36 in 24 balls with 5 fours. When Nagenahira batted they found off spinner Akila Dhananjaya who had good figures of 3 for 18 unplayable.

The Sri Lanka World Cup Twenty20 squad is likely to be named on Friday. And when the Selectors headed by Chairman Asantha de Mel, comprising Don Anurasiri and Hemantha Wickremaratne meet, they will find it hard to leave out Weeraratne and Dhananjaya.

Although Wayamba blasted a big score, mystery bowler, off spinner Ajantha Mendis who has been bowing well in the tournament was treated with respect as his figures of 2 for 29 in 4 overs show.

After Jayawardene batting show was over, he proved why he is easily the best captain produced by Sri Lanka since gaining Test status by leading his side by example and from the front by switching his bowers intelligently and placing fields that the batsmen found difficult to pierce.

The only batsman who showed fight when Nagenahira batted was stylish young right hand batsman Angelo Perera who showed maturity as he made an unbeaten 48 which included 5 fours and a six in 39 balls.

Wayamba 190 for 4 in 20 overs (Tamim Iqbal 32, Mahela Jayewardene 96 not out, Kaushalaya Weeraratne 36,Ajantha Mendis 2 for 29)

Nagenahira 134 in 19.5 overs (Travis Birt 25, Angelo Perera 48 not out, Isuru Udana 2 for 17, Chaturanga Kumara 2 for15, Akila Dhananjaya 3 for 18) Palekelle, Sunday.