Maharoof, Murali send Irishmen crashing

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE in West Indies

WORLD CUP: The Sri Lankan cricketing juggernaut thundered down ruthlessly to mow down the Irish and whip them by 8 wickets in their final Super 8 game of World Cup 2007, here today.

After destroying Ireland for 77, the Lankans waltzed to victory scoring 81 for 2 with Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardena remaining unbeaten on 24 and 39 respectively.

Irish eyes were smiling when they arrived for this game after their success over Bangladesh. But it did not take long for them to have eyes moist as the Lankans made life for them miserable in the middle.

The Irish in scoring only 77 made the 6th lowest score in World Cup cricket.

The Lankans stung to the quick by criticism for not playing Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitheran in the game against the Australians, did not take long to hit back by making a mockery of the Ireland batting.

The game was over before lunch. The Australians too demolished Ireland before lunch.

The Ireland openers seemed to be going well when skipper Mahela Jaywardena introduced Farveez Mahroof in the 8th over. His first two balls was sent for boundaries by Jermey Bray. Maharoof then had wickets in his third, fifth and sixth balls and was on a hat-trick.

But that did not materialise. His first over figures read 1-0-8-3. Later he had another wicket and was man-of the match.

From that moment the Ireland batting was on the skids and batsmen came and went in quick succession as spinning sensation Muttiah Murlaitheran got into the wicket taking act to strangle the Irish and led them to their demise.

Muralitheran had wickets in his third and fifth balls of his first over and then had another wicket in the first ball of his next over. Murlaitheran now has 19 wickets in the tournament.

The ground once again looked a picture with the houses perched on the hills cascading down as the two skippers Mahela Jayawardena and Trent Johnson walked out for the toss.

Jayawardena was once again lucky with the toss and invited Ireland to bat on a wicket that was dry and looked good for batting. It was the irresponsible batting that caused their downfall.

Hone of the batsmen seemed comfortable against Mahroof and the wily spin of Murlaitheran who made some of the batsmen look awful, unable to read his doosra.

Mahroof’s 4 for 25 in 10 was his best ever bowling effort. Muralitheran had 4 for 19 on 5 overs. Ireland were dismissed in 27.4 overs and Sri Lanka raised to victory in just 10 overs. Only three Ireland batsmen reached double figures in the destruction caused by Maharoof and Muralitheran.

With this win the Sri Lanka climb the points table and are second to the reigning champions Australia.

When Sri Lanka began their chase they lost Upul Tharanga for no score and Kumar Sangakkara for 10. But Jayasuriya and Jayawardena saw them home without further loss. Jayasuriya had 3 fours and one six and Jayawardena 5 fours and a six.

After the game Jayawardena said that he was happy the way his team performed and that they are remaining focused and from here they would be determined to come good in the semi-finals and the final. If the Lankans continue to play ruthlessly as they did today, then the Aussies and Kiwis could better watch out.

Grenada National stadium, Wednesday