Lankans rewrite record books

First historic win in the Caribbean by 121 runs:

Elmo Rodrigopulle from the West Indies

Hail the Sri Lankan cricketers. Pop out the champagne corks and celebrate. The cricketers have done what was impossible in two previous tours here by dumping the West Indians by 121 runs and creating history at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

Left arm paceman Thilina Thusara took a breathtaking catch at fine leg - that of Devon Smith mishooking Chaminda Vaas to open the Windies batting gates. Then that man who cannot be kept out of the action Muttiah Muralitharan took an out of this world catch, when he leapt high to grab a catch off Darren Powell off that great trier Chaminda Vaas.

Didn't the Lankan fielders scamper to Muralitharan hug and kiss him for that amazing catch to signal victory.

For the Lankans it was a tremendous team effort that brought them this victory that every member will remember for the rest of their lives.

To recap: Sri Lanka 476 for 9 dec: and 240 for 7 dec: West Indies 280 and 315 - win for Sri Lanka by 121 runs.

When the Lankans came out here with a comparatively new team, not many fancied their chances. But with this win they have cocked a snook at their detractors and proved that those who dare win.

When play began on the final day with the West Indies on 96 for one, requiring another 341 for a win, while the Lankans had to dismiss nine opposing batsmen for a win.

Not out batsmen Dawynne Bravo 46 and Ramnaresh Sarwan 34 were firing at 96 for one and the stage was set for an exciting and thrilling game of cricket and one of the best finishes.

But surprisingly the batsmen who were fast forward, put on hold their aggression and flair and that was where they went wrong and gave the advantage to the Lankans.

Mahela Jayawardena the Lankan skipper read the situation well, switched his bowlers very cleverly and put the opposing batsmen under pressure by always employing an aggressive field by crowding the batsmen.

When the Bravo-Sarwan stand was on - 134 for the second wicket which was a record in the series between Sri Lanka and the West Indies, it looked as though the home team would save the Test, preferring not to search for a win and lose.

But the Lankans were aware that if they persisted, they could bust the windies bubble, have them struggling and finally burying them in the Providence Stadium dust. Bowlers Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan and Thilina Thusara bowled their hearts out.

Muralitharan and Vaas who have always obliged, delivered again and in grand style.

On a wicket that was heartbreaking to the bowlers, they did not let up and kept pecking at the batsmen until they surrendered.

Vaas with the old and new ball was always menacing. Muralitharan teased the batsmen with his wily spin and then Thusara playing in only his second test, the first one too being against the West Indies, enjoyed the challenge and bowled like a veteran.

Vaas returned the figures of 5 for 61, Thusara 2 for 70 and Muralitheran 3 for 112.

Sarwan 72, Bravo 83 and Gayle 51 not out stuck it for the Windies.

Yours truly who has been on many tours with the Lankan teams is also proud to be a part of this history making triumph.

SRI LANKA - 1ST INNINGS 476/8 dec.
WEST INDIES - 1ST INNINGS 280 
SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS 240/7 dec. 

WEST INDIES - 2ND INNINGS
(overnight 96 for one) 

D. Smith c Thushara b Vaas			10
D. Bravo c and b Muralitharan			83
R. Sarwan lbw b Thushara			72
M. Samuels c wkpr Sangakkara b Vaas		10
S. Chanderpaul b Vaas				 3
C. Gayle not out				51
R. Hinds c wkpr Sangakkara b Muralitharan	10
D. Ramdin c M. Jayawardena b Thushara		 1
S. Benn lbw b Muralitharan			 7
J. Taylor c Dilshan b Vaas			12
D. Powell c Muralitharan b Vaas			14

Extras (b25, lb3, nb14)	42
TOTAL (all out)					315
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-22 (Smith), 2-156 (Bravo), 3-171 (Samuels),
		 4-178 (Chanderpaul), 5-212 (Sarwan), 6-229 (Hinds),
		 7-231 (+Ramdin), 8-244 (Benn), 9-291 (Taylor). 
BOWLING: Vaas 22.2-7-61-5; Thushara 17-2-70-2 (nb12); 
	Herath 22-7-44-0 (nb1); Muralitharan 45-6-112-3 (nb1).