Sri Lanka through to Double Wicket Championship final

With the competition now down to the semi finals, and each team needing to win in order to advance to the finals and a chance at sharing a whopping US $65,000.00, with the runners up receiving US $30.000.00, today's action promises to be exciting, if not fast-paced.

The West Indies batted first and signalled their intentions from early. Having to bat a maximum of 10 overs, the West Indies begun by scoring 11 runs from the first over, and 15 runs from the second over. But, in an effort to push the socr along, the West Indies began losing wickets -- first time for the competition -- and paid dearly with each dismissal, suffering a penalty of 10 runs being deducted each time.

Chris Gayle was the more attacking of the West Indian batsmen, with Carl Hooper deciding to play the support role. Gayle was especially harsh on Jayawardene, hitting him for three towering sixes much to the delight of the fans. At the end of 10 overs, the West Indies reached 68 losing three wickets in the process.

Chris Gayle top scored with 46, and Carl Hooper gave good support for his 17. There were 5 extras in the West Indies' innings. Bowling for Sri Lanka, Aravinda DeSilva ended with figures of two for 35, and Mahela Jayawardene one for 60.

Sri Lanka needing to score 69 runs for victory and a place in the finals started their inning with much purpose. Both Aravinda DeSilva and Mahela Jayawardene looked to be mixing aggression with caution. With eyes firmly set on the US $30,000 for the winners, the Sri Lankans went about their response to the West Indies' score in a clinical manner.

De Silva, the more sedate of the two was brilliantly run out from a direct hit, this was to be the only wicket the Sri Lankans would lose in their chase of the required 69 runs, and a chance at the coveted title.

At the end of their 10 overs, the Sri Lankans were sitting pretty having scored 71 runs, with De Silva getting 24 and Jayawardene 42. There were five extras in the Sri Lankans innings. Bowling for the West Indies, Hooper ended with figures of none for 39, while Gayle had figures of none for 40.

Sri Lanka won by 3 runs and now await the winner of the New Zealand versus England (second) semi final.