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