Sri Lanka reign supreme over Zimbabwe by 79 runs

Sri Lanka have won their third straight match in the Khaleej Times Trophy 2001, thrashing Zimbabwe by 79 runs at Sharjah, on Tuesday. After electing to bat, Sri Lanka made 250 all out in 49.4 overs and Sanath Jayasuriya, as always, got off to a brisk start, smashing 14 runs off the very first over from Heath Streak.

Sri Lanka lost their skipper off the last ball of the fifth over with the total on 41; Jayasuriya played a lazy flick straight down the throat of Friend at mid-wicket fence. Jayasuriya made 25 runs off 21 balls with the help of four boundaries.

Gary Brent struck by removing the stylish Marvan Atapattu (9), playing a careless shot to be caught by Grant Flower at short covers. Gunawardene was distinctly unlucky adjudged lbw by umpire Rudi Koertzen from South Africa. The ball (on replay) clearly pitched a shade outside the line of leg stump and the lucky bowler was Streak. Gunawardene made 14 runs off 23 balls with the help of one four.

Mahela Jayawardene and Russel Arnold steadied the innings with a fourth wicket partnership of 111 runs off 21.4 overs. Jayawardene playing with his usual finesse turned his attention to Gary Brent, playing an elegant flick and a sweetly timed straight drive for fours. Arnold too was in a punishing mood, turning his attention to an erratic Marillier. The short-pitched stuff offered by Marillier was dispatched to the fine leg and mid-wicket fence in disdain.

Streak was brought back in to the attack in the 33rd over. He dug a ball short and Arnold going for a pull shot could only get a top edge down to Brent at fine leg. Arnold made 56 runs off 77 balls, striking four boundaries. Jayawardene made 63 runs off 78 balls with the help of half a dozen boundaries before being caught by Trevor Gripper off the bowling of Douglas Marillier.

Kumar Dharmasena and Sangakkara took the team score to 223 by the end of the 45th over. Marillier struck again this time to remove Dharmasena (8) brilliantly stumped by Andy Flower. Sangakkara who was accumulating runs in singles and twos was the next to go, bowled by Brent after making 35 runs off 50 balls.

Streak struck again with a short-pitched delivery in the 49th over, Liyanage (2) trying to pull was a bit too late on it, got the edge which came down into Andy Flower's gloves. Sri Lankans looking to finish with a flurry lost Muralitharan (2), caught by Grant Flower at long off. Grant Flower ran Chaminda Vaas (13) out with a brilliant direct hit from the deep. Buddika Fernando remained unbeaten on nought as Sri Lanka were all out for 250 in 49.4 overs. Heath Streak (10-0-59-4) and Gary Brent (7.4-0-33-3) were easily the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers.

Zimbabwe required to make 251 runs for their first win in the tournament, had a lucky start. A confident shout for lbw by Chaminda Vaas against Grant Flower off the very first ball of the innings was turned down. Vaas though did not have to wait for any more luck, knocking out Flower's (2) middle stump in the third over.

Gripper played a very slow innings almost defying the rising run rate and was lucky to be dropped by Muralitharan in his stay at the middle. Gripper was finally dismissed in the 19th over, pulling a short ball from Liyanage straight to Arnold at square leg.

Stuart Carlisle who was lucky to see an edge scream past the first slip was also dismissed in the 19th over. Marvan Atapattu did well to stop a rasping drive from Andy Flower and throw to the bowler to run Carlisle out. Carlisle made 37 off 46 balls with the help of five boundaries.

Andy Flower managed to get a top edge of an intended pull shot off the bowling of Dharmasena and after yet another confusion between Muralitharan and Sangakkara; it was Muralitharan who completed the catch. Flower made 13 off 23 balls. Dion Ebrahim who had scratched around to make 15 runs off 30 balls was stumped by Sangakkara to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 99/5 in the 29th over.

Zimbabwe never recovered from that position and lost wickets at regular intervals. Streak (5) Nkala (5) and Brent (8) failed to make much of an an impression with the bat. However, Marillier batting more comfortably lower down the order, stood strong and reached his half century off the last ball of the 50th over, pulling through square leg for four. Marillier remained unbeaten on 51 off 67 balls with the help of three boundaries and a six.

Kumar Dharmasena was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 10-0-26-3. Muralitharan was miserly as he has been in this tournament and finished with 10-1-22-1. Mahela Jayawardene was awarded the Man of the Match. It was yet another thorough professional display from the Sri Lankans. They now head the points table with 15 points and will be looking forward to a rest tomorrow when Pakistan take on Zimbabwe again.