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Sri Lanka storm to 243-run win
Friday, 16 March 2007 - 1:49 AM SL Time
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Three fluent half-centuries formed the meat of Sri Lanka`s innings as they rolled along to 321 for 6 at the end of 50 overs. Choosing to bat on a flat deck, Sri Lanka`s power-packed line-up didn`t need to do anything out of the ordinary - Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara led a solid batting performance before Chamara Silva erected the skyscraper with an electric 55.
Bermuda seemed to suffer from stage fright on their World Cup debut, turning in as lukewarm a bowling performance as the crowd response at Port-of-Spain. Kevin Hurdle`s 14-ball third over was a sign of things to come and all their bowlers, barring medium-pacer Saleem Mukuddem, were erratic. Sri Lanka`s batsmen concentrated on picking off the loose deliveries, of which there was plenty on offer, and simply needed to knock the ball around when it was on target. Bermuda were made to pay for costly lapses, that included letting off Jayawardene off the first ball he faced, but they somewhat made up with two blinding ones towards the end of the innings.
The 150-run stand between Jayawardene and Sangakkara formed the backbone of the innings as the duo eased through the middle overs at a healthy rate. The long-hops and wide deliveries were dispatched in style and there was little need for any risk in between. Singles and twos were plenty on offer, especially with the batsman manoeuvring the ball in the gaps, and the rate was always on the up.
The impressive Saleem Mukuddem removed the dangerous Sanath Jayasuriya © Getty Images
Jayawardene crossed fifty for the first time since June 2006 and also brought up his highest score in World Cup matches. Sangakkara achieved a similar feat and thrilled with his punchy drives down the ground. Their dismissals brought some cheer in the Bermuda camp but Silva ensured that the celebrations were short lived. Coming off a brilliant century against India at Vishakapatnam (Sri Lanka`s last ODI before the World Cup), he flayed the bowling to all parts. He was especially severe on the spinners, dancing down the track and slashing wide of the cover fielders. He also hustled between the wickets and brought up a half-century in his first World Cup match.
Sri Lanka`s job was made much easier early on. Hurdle promised much in the opening over of the day. Standing almost six-and-a-half feet tall and running in with an easy action, he extracted steepling bounce and jammed Sanath Jayasuriya`s left index finger. But he lost his run-up and direction soon after and conceded as many as 15 extras in his nine-over spell. His opening partner, Mukuddem, was far more impressive. Not as quick but far more accurate, he made the batsman play regularly and induced a few tentative prods.
He removed the dangerous Jayasuriya - though that was thanks to the batsman`s indiscretion, cutting uppishly to point - and should have had Jayawardene for a first-ball duck, when the portly Dwayne Leverock grassed a regulation chance off an airy flash. Mukuddem was also unlucky not to have had Upul Tharanga`s wicket when he was on 28 after Ian Howell turned down a confident shout for lbw. It was probably one of the few silver linings of the innings.
http://www.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/SL/
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ShanA
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15 Mar 2007 19:54:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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Nothing to celebrate here. (W)e had to win, got some batting practice.
Edited By - ShanA - 15 Mar 2007 19:54:51 GMT |
ananda95
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15 Mar 2007 19:54:43 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Well done guys, hope we could keep momentum till 28th April!! |
Bonggo
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15 Mar 2007 19:59:26 GMT Report for Abuse
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Well done Sri Lanka!
It was expected. Now beat Bangladesh, don't take that match easy! |
ShanA
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15 Mar 2007 20:02:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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Mahela was lucky to survive after fat boy (man) gave him two lives. Chamara Silva is terrific so is Sanga.
I don't know why Mahela allowed Bermudians to butcher Murali. Bowl should have given to Malinga or Vaas to finish that off. Anyway we won, that's what matters. |
nmaya
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15 Mar 2007 20:03:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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Mahela was lucky. he was dropped twice, on 0 and on 52.
Edited By - nmaya - 15 Mar 2007 20:17:19 GMT |
pharoah
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15 Mar 2007 20:05:38 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Bangladesh match will not be straightforward. they beat sri lanka in a ODI last year |
Bonggo
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15 Mar 2007 20:07:40 GMT Report for Abuse
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Shan A,
Bowl should have given to Malinga or Vaas to finish that off
When Malinga was bowling so well and took three wickets, he was removed by Mahela. Probably the captain was thinking of using him in the final overs but it was bad strategy!
Be more strategic captain! |
tamilcanuck
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15 Mar 2007 20:09:12 GMT Report for Abuse
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It was a good match with both batsmen and bowlers getting a workout.
this thumping win is very important because of the NRR (net run rate) effect just in case there are issues down the road.
mahela will gain a lot of confidence from his knock.
the few times i saw chamara i am impressed. the dude is very valuable. where is he from. i like this team without changes.
Be more strategic captain!
agree shisya but OTOH murali hasnt bowled in a while so better to give him afew overs.
my 2 cents
Edited By - tamilcanuck - 15 Mar 2007 20:15:28 GM |
MaKaSo
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15 Mar 2007 20:15:18 GMT Report for Abuse
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Probably the captain was thinking of using him in the final overs but it was bad strategy!
opening bowlers would have finished the game early.
Perhaps captain wanted everyone to play the game.
in that case, four batsmen who did not bat today should bat first in the next game :):) |
eskimo06
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15 Mar 2007 20:18:22 GMT Report for Abuse
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| It was a good game. Hope the guys can keep it up and beat India on the 23rd. Finally Mahela made a fifty. What a play by Chamara Silva. As tamilcanuck said this match is good for the run rate. I do not expect us to make a big score with Bangaledesh. Then again who knows. |
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