Shamik Das


Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Sanath shows shades of '96 as Lankans tame Tigers to take "group of death" down to the wire

A beaming Murali and pals are all smiles after beating Bangladesh at Port of Spain

Trinidad, World Cup, Group B: Bangladesh 112 (37 overs; max 46) lost to Sri Lanka 318/4 (50 overs) by 198 runs (D/L method)

Bangladesh reverted to type tonight with a morale-sapping pasting by Sri Lanka, slumping to their heaviest World Cup defeat and third worst in all one-dayers.

The Tigers looked a shadow of the team who beat India, as woeful today as they were wonderful on Saturday; missed run-outs, economy rates of nearly nine and just one batsman hitting a score above 20 - Mohammad Ashraful, who finished unbeaten on 45.

Lasith Malinga (3-27), Chaminda Vaas (7-4-11-1) and the irrepressible Murali - whose nine overs went for just 15 runs - showed the Indian bowlers how it's done ahead of their showdown on Friday.

Sanath Jayasuriya en route to a well deserved century    Sanath Jayasuriya salutes the crowd on completing his century

Earlier Sanath Jayasuriya struck his 24th one-day international century, bringing up three figures in style with a steepling six high over midwicket, followed by another six - his seventh, to go alongside seven fours - before getting himself out for 109.

Joining Jayasuriya in boosting their averages were captain Mahela Jayawardene (46), wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara (56) and Chamara Silva (52*).

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