rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Jayasuriya sets up Sri Lanka win

Jayasuriya sets up Sri Lanka win

June 10, 2009 23:52 IST

Image: Sanath jayasuriya in action

Sanath Jayasuriya reverse sweeps Sulieman Benn for a boundary.

Sri Lanka warmed up for the Super Eights in style, outclassing the West Indies by 15 runs in an inconsequential Group C match of the ICC World Twenty20 in Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Wednesday.

Dilshan races with Jayasuriya

Image: Tillekeratne Dilshan in action

Tillekeratne Dilshan hits Dwayne Bravo for a boundary.

Jayasuriya and Dilshan put on 124 runs for the first wicket in just 78 deliveries.

Dilshan took over once Jayasuriya departed and finished with 74 from 47 deliveries, inclusive of 11 boundaries and a six.

Sri Lankans celebrate

Image: Sri Lankan fans enjoy

Sri Lankan fans have a good time as their team scored a huge total and went on to win the match.

The match was effectively a dead rubber, with both teams having qualified for the next stage of the tournament. But Sri Lanka were keen to keep the momentum going after their victory over Australia and came up with a strong batting display to post 192 for five and then restrict the West Indies to 177 for five.

West Indies falter

Image: Lendl Simmons in action

Lendl Simmons hits a boundary off Ajantha Mendis.

The absence of Chris Gayle was clearly evident, as openers Simmons and Andre Fletcher failed to get going. Left-arm spinner Jayasuriya opened the bowling and gave away just three runs in his first over.

Gayle was rested for the match and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who took over the captaincy, elected to field.

Chanderpaul perishes

Image: Shivnarine Chanderpaul is bowled by Mendis

Mendis struck with the big wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was bowled off an inside edge for 1.

It was Sri Lanka, who were holding the upper hand at this stage as the West Indies were reduced to 74 for four after eight overs.

Bravo blossoms

Image: Dwayne Bravo in action

Dwayne Bravo tried to lead a counter-attack, smashing Jayasuriya for a boundary and six in the 12th over. The West Indies all-rounder dominated the 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket off 44 deliveries as he scored 35 of them, while Ramnaresh Sarwan had just 13.

Bravo brought up his half-century in style off just 38 deliveries when he slammed Malinga over midwicket for a six.

But he fell off the next delivery. Once again it was the slower delivery from Malinga that caused the damage. He tried another big shot through midwicket but failed to read the slower delivery and ended up lobbing a simple catch to mid-on.

He was dismissed for 51 off just 38 deliveries, inclusive of five boundaries and two sixes.