Flower
heroics in vain as Kaif ton lifts India
Records thrilling 14 runs win
under floodlights
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Despite a resolute 145 from Zimbabwe's Andy Flower,India held
their nerve to record a thrilling 14 run victory in a ICC
Champions Trophy day-night game at the R Premadasa Stadium
yesterday.
India's Mohammad Kaif who was unbeaten with 111, hits
out against Zimbabwe. India won the match by 14 runs.
This was Kaif's maiden international century. - Pic
by Ishara S. Kodikara. |
Chasing
an imposing 289 runs to victory Zimbabwe made a bold reply
and threatened to create the first upset of the tournament
before folding up on 274 for 8 in their 50 overs.
Their
run chase was led by their prolific run getter in Tests and
One day Internationals Wicket keeper Andy Flower.After having
an off day behind the stumps where he missed two stumps and
a run out,Flower made a bold attempt to compensate, but failed
at the end as he received little support from his team mates
and in the process consumed 164 deliveries for his 145 runs.
The wicket
-keeper batsmen who reached his fourth century in one dayers
added 84 runs in 100 balls for the third wicket with Grant
Flower(33) and 71 runs in 72 balls with Guy Whittal(29) to
give Zimbabwe a sniff at victory.But some intelligent bowling
in the tail end of the game from Sachin Tendulkar(two wickets)
and Zaheer Khan(four wickets) helped India to an emphatic
victory.Left arm seamer Khan was the pick of the bowlers after
he picked up both Zim openers and later accounted for Guy
Whittal and Sean Ervine.
Earlier
in the day India, who won the toss and elected to bat first
were rescued by a magnificent maiden hundred by Mohamed Kaif.
The young right hander who came in when the Indian innings
were in shambles at 87 for 5 wickets displayed tremendous
maturity and talent despite playing in only the 19th one-dayer
for his country.
Together
with the in-form Rahul Dravid, Kaif added 117 runs for the
sixth wickets to take the initiative away from Zimbabwe. Both
right handers gave a splendid demonstration of sensible batting
and intelligent running between the wickets as they accumulated
singles with the occasional boundary.
Dravid
finally succumbed to a fine piece of fielding by Stuart Calisle
at mid-wicket but not before he had completed a stylish 71
in just 81 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
Despite
losing his partner Kaif continued to annihilate the Zimbabwe
attack which lacked penetration and looked mediocre. With
a little bit of luck and some fine improvisation Kaif reached
his century in only 107 balls as he helped India to an imposing
total.
Anil Kumble
(18. n.o.) gave good support to Kaif as the Indian 7th wicket
pair added 84 runs to take India to 288/6 in their allotted
50 overs. It was Zimbabwe's opening bowler Douglas Hondo who
gave his country a flying start to the tournament. The 23
year old Zimbabwean who was playing in only his 6th one-dayer
picked up 4 wickets in his first spell to reduce India to
84 for 4 at one stage.
Hondo
who has the ability to get the ball to have a late movement,
picked up three of his four wickets, caught by Alistair Campbell
at first slip, while Erwine fielding at second slip accounted
for his fourth wicket.
Despite
having the Indians at a miserable 87 for 5 wickets in the
14th over the Zimbabwean failed to exploit the situation.
They failed to attack the Indians at this stage as they allowed
Dravid and Kaif to freely collect their singles and settle
down.
Lanka
bt. S.Korea, remain unbeaten
Kenyan 'Black Power' steals limelight
with their power rugby
Bernie Wijesekera reporting from Kandy
The fourth Singer Sri Lankan Airlines International Rugby
Sevens kicked off in beautiful, weather conditions provided
good fare to the big crowd here yesterday. The Sri Lankans
playing to a plan did well to remain unbeaten in Group 'D'.
Their last match against S. Korea provided nerve-tingling
rugby, trailing 14-10. Seconds before the long whistle the
Lankans were on the offensive, but robbed a certain try when
referee Anthony blew for a penalty against S. Korea instead
of giving advantage. Still the Lankans were destined to win.
Nalaka,
Weerakody, who came (as substitute) to Pushpakumara wriggled
his way over the line to take the lead and the match amid
jubiliation for the Lankans to remain unbeaten - 17-14.
S. Korea
suffered their second defeat. Earlier they were beaten by
Belgium 21-10, bowed out of the Cup. Sri Lanka and Belgium
entered the last "eight". The matches were keenly
contested. But newcomers (to this prestigious 7s organised
by KSC) Kenya and Portugal caught the eye. Both remained unbeaten.
But Kenya provided the "Black Magic". Fit and strong
the Kenyans with a tradition for 7s rugby gave a superb display
of power rugby. They have a good record for Int. 7s rugby.
Defeated (2001) France in the World Cup 7s 14-10 and defeated
W. Samoa 28-20 C'wealth 7s in Manchester, recently. Kenya
take on Chinese Taipei (the defending champs) in the quarters.
Sri Lanka playing pretty well should get the better of Arabian
Gulf who was beaten by Portugal 28-0. The Lankans are poised
to enter the last four.
Sri Lanka
earlier with a better game plan outplayed Belgium (strong
western opposition) capably led by Leonard de Zylwa, by 33
points (4 goals and a try) to 10 (2 tries) in a group 'D'
match.
The Lankan
rugby 7s was at its best where every player contributed for
its success. Running and passing rugby was at its best. Lanka
opened scoring due to a Belgium player lapsed from the kick
off. Lakala Perera the Havies winner was at hand to receive
the ball, scorched his way to touch down. This was followed
by a Sajith Mallikarachi special off a short tap. to roll
over. Belgium reduced off a cunning midfield move - 125. Fly-half
Indrajith Bandaranayake powered his way from mid-field for
Leonard, to put the finishing touches. Play maker Nalaka Weerakody
before the short whistle scored - 26-5 at the interval.
After
the interval dusky Radhika Hettiarachchi scored. Belgium toiled
to score another unconverted try. Nalaka converted 4 tries.
Ref. Anton Day. In their second match the Lankans after an
early hiccup by the fast improving Indians, who indulged in
running rugby who scored first. It was a testing time for
the Lankans, who eventually won 36 points ( 3 goals 3 tries)
to 19 (2 goals and try). It was a gallant effort by the Indians.
Weerakody was at its best scoring 3 dandy tries, Lakala Perera
(2) and R. Hettiarachchi (1) scored. Belgium turned tables
on fancied S. Ko
Joes
hold Isipathana
By M. Shamil Amit
Three good knocks by Prasanna Pallewela (57), Sandun Dias
(44) and Hashan Goonetilleke (33) enabled St. Joseph's College
Maradana to hold Isipathana to a draw in their Third Term
Inter-School cricket match at Maradana yesterday.
Isipathana
who were 41 for no loss overnight, took their score to 269
with Sanjaya Dilruksha being the top scorer with 68. The others
to chip in with good scores were Dilan Anurudha (44) and Amila
Surendra (32). Ranesh Perera bowled best for the Joes.
Isipathana
- 269 (Nishantha Fernando 68, Sanjaya Dilruksha 66, Dilan
Anuradha 44,Amila Surendra 32; Ranesh Perera 4 for 80, Rukshan
Perera 2 for 34, Dilshan Bastiampillai 1 for10)
St. Joseph's
- 174 for 3 atclose (Prasanna Pallewela 57, Sandun Dias 44,
Hashan Goonetilleke 33; Sanjaya Dilruksha 2 for 13)
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