"Superb Sanath" scripts Lankan Win

Sanath Jayasuriya smashed a brilliant century and took three crucial wickets that paved the way for an easy Lankan victory. West Indies won the toss and chose to field. The move seemed to be justified as Powell bowled Tharanga(8 runs) and Bradshaw got rid of Sangakkara(7 runs). At the end of the 9th over, the score read 36/2. But thanks to a great 183 run partnership between Jayasuriya(113) and Mahela Jayawardane(82) and a late blistering innings from T.Dilshan(39 off 22 balls), Srilanka set West Indies a daunting target of 304 to win.

West Indies crumble: W.Indies were never really in the chase as they lost early wickets of Gayle(10 runs) and Powell(21 runs). Srilanka bowled very tightly courtesy Vaas, Fernando, and Co. West Indies struggled right through as the required right kept peaking consistently. Lara(2) was stumped brilliantly by Sangakkara off Vaas, leaving WI reeling at 42/3. The Writing was clearly on the wall for West Indies. Only Chanderpaul (76 runs, 5 sixes and 1 four), and Sarwan (44 runs, One Six and a Four) led W.Indies to a respectable 190. The Tail crumbled like 9 pins as Jayasuriya(3/38), and Muralitharan(2/59) spun a web around them.

West Indies are now virtually out of the World Cup. They have lost 3 games and even if they win the remaining games, their chances would depend on the performance of the other qualifying teams.

Highlights: Jayasuriya proved yet again why he was still a threat to bowlers despite his age. His first 13 runs came off 33 balls, but he stayed there and took his chances hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes to notch up his 25th ODI Century. Jayasuriya has now scored 11,816 runs in One Day Internationals,only Tendulkar (14, 500+ runs)has scored more. Jayasuriya has also hit 25 centuries, 16 behind Tendulkar's tally of 41 ODI centuries.

With 11,816 runs at a strike rate of 90.76, and also 290 ODI wickets to his credit, he is perhaps the most valuable player in ODI Cricket. If he continues to fire consistently against Australia, New Zealand , England, and South Africa, Srilanka will win this World Cup. I am hoping to see Sanath fire against Australia, he is the only player who can annihilate the Aussie bowling attack and perhaps their dominance.