Lankans announce their intentions
Sri Lankans celebrate Gayle’s wicket.
The massive number of Sri Lanka supporters that thronged to witness the crucial ICC World Twenty20 Super Eight encounter between Sri Lanka and West Indies were entertained. They were given that opportunity with the superb cricket dished out by the Sri Lankans who coasted to a convincing nine wicket win with 28 balls to spare in the match played at the Pallekele Stadium yesterday.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara sent the message out loud.
They spelled out that they were very serious in this business and they were there for a purpose. After Dilshan had given the home team the initial boost the pair associated themselves in an unbroken 108 runs partnership to steer the side to this emphatic win. Jayawardena remained unbeaten on 65 off just 49 balls that included ten boundaries and a six while Sangakkara chipping in with a 34 ball knock of 39 with five boundaries.
Nevertheless with the final two teams to advance to the semi finals are yet to be decided. Tomorrow (Monday) is the final round of Group One matches due to be played. Now with New Zealand dropping out of contention it’s going to be crucial for the three teams — Sri Lanka, England and West Indies. Even though the Lankans having two wins under their belt they would be happy to move to the next step of the tournament unscathed. Sri Lanka take on England who come this game in a must win situation. West Indies take on New Zealand looking for win to stay alive. However the run rate too is going to be a crucial.
Superlative Mahela Jayawardene who was unstoppable plays an unorthodox shot during his epic 65 not out. - Pics by Amila Gamage
The body language of the power packed West Indies team showed that they seemed to be under pressure, it was visible in during their approach in the first five overs after skipper Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bat first. They were no where near their form of the previous game against England where powerful hitter Chris Gayle who went on the rampage and the other batsmen Johnson Charles following suit. Yet their dependence on Gayle was visible during the course of the game yesterday.
West Indies handled the Lankans Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Kulasekera with caution but once spinner Ajantha Mendis was introduced they shuddrered. Johnson Charles who made 84 against New Zealand was mesmerized by a Mendis googly which he was unable to read and found himself dragged out of the crease giving Kumara Sangakkara an easy stumping chance for West Indies to lose their first wicket on 16 in the fifth over.
Gayle who seemed to be uncomfortable was also being too cautious but he too perished, deceived by a slower ball from Nuwan Kulasekera and succeeded in only edging a catch to Sangakkara who dived to his left to grab a superb catch. Gayle was bogged down for nine balls and managed a score of only two runs which was his first failure of the tournament. The power-play yielded only 20 runs. The Sri Lanka bowlers were supported by some superb fielding.
This part the Lankans had pre-planned and executed to perfection. Number three batsman Marlon Samuels joined by Dwayne Bravo gave the West Indies supporters something to cheer as the pair to some extent brought the situation under control. With the pair having added 65 runs for the third wickt Jeewan Mendis made the breakthrough when he took the prize wicket of Bravo who was going in for a big hit was caught brilliantly by Dilshan at long on. West Indies ended the halfway stage of the innings on 90 for 3. Kieren Pollard was the next to follow becoming a victim of Ajantha Mendis taking his 100th wicket in T20′s.
Kulasekera brought back for his second spell proved expensive when he conceded 21 runs which included a six each by Andre Russel and Samuels. Samuels raced to his half ton before Mathews got rid of him with another fine catch taken by Dilshan at long on.
The final two overs yielded only ten runs and the Windies finished on 129 for 5.
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Gayle did not reign enoughSanga’s fighting ‘ton’ was simply not enough for Sri Lanka. (Pic by Ranjith Perera)