Monday, February 21, 2011

Sri Lanka vs Canada: Jayawardene scores ton as Sri Lanka win by 210 runs


Sri Lanka beat Canada by 210 runs in their opening match of the World Cup at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota on Sunday. 
Sri Lanka opener Mahela Jayawardene scored the fastest century for Sri Lanka in a World Cup match reaching the figure in 81 balls and even forged a 179-run third wicket partnership with captain Kumar Sangakkara as the hosts put 332/7 on board.
As was expected the 333-run target proved too much for the Canadians, a minnows in the tournament, who got out for 122.
In fact they lost their opener John Davison on the first ball of their innings with Thisara Perera claiming his wicket, clean bowled. Four overs the Canadians were 12/3.
Canada skipper Ashish Bagai tried hard to salvage but failed and could only manage to score 22 before Perera claimed him as well. Canada score at this stage was 53-5.
Post his dismissal, Rizwan Cheema too waged a lone battle putting a hard-fought 37 before the veteran offie Muttiah Muralitharan struck to send him back even as the Canadians were reeling on 103/8.
Cheema's 37, the individual highest score for Canada, came of 35 balls and included four boundaries and one over the fence shot. 
Sri Lanka innings
Sri Lanka opener Mahela Jayawardene and skipper Kumar Sangakkara put on 179 runs for the third wicket as the hosts scored 332/7.
Earlier, in a repeat of what happened during the India versus Bangladesh match, a horrible mix-up saw Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga walk back on 19. On Saturday it was Sachin Tendulkar and today it was Upul Tharanga who got run out on 19 when the Sri Lanka score was 63.
Then it was the turn of the second opener Tillakaratne Dilshan to take a walk. Dilshan holed out to deep cover off Rizwan Cheema and paid the price as John Davison claimed a fine catch. He fell for 50 and Sri Lanka fell to 88/2 in 20th over.
Post Dilshan's fall, Lankan opener Mahela Jayawardene and skipper Kumar Sangakkara got on to build a major partnership. The two played easily putting on 179 runs for the third wicket before Sangakkara fell to John Davison on 92. He missed his ton by eight runs as Davison took a fine catch off his own bowling.
However, Jayawardene managed to complete his ton. And no sooner did he complete it that he too fell. He got across the line and went for a big hit off Davison, but ended up giving a catch to Balaji Rao at shot fine leg. He got out for a 100 as Sri Lanka score read 276/4 in 44 overs.
Post Jayawardene's dismissal the Sri Lankans lost more wickets but kept the scoreboard ticking and finally they put on 332/7 in 50 overs.

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