Amazing! simply astounding! You won't see better catches than that! Powell tries to scoop it over the infield on the off side, he doesn't get the desired elevation, Murali runs backwards at mid-off, he keeps his gaze at it and pulls off a blinder with his right-hand and falls over backwards. He hands onto it while he's still airborne. All ten of them crowd around him and Sri Lanka have won their first ever Test on West Indies soil and take a 1-0 lead in the series
West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test at Providence, Mar 22 2008 - Ball by Ball Commentary
RESULT
1st Test, Providence, March 22 - 26, 2008, Sri Lanka tour of West Indies
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WI 2nd Innings
Full commentary
It was only fitting that a display of brilliance sealed the victory. There may have been a few jitters in the Sri Lankan camp after the stand between Bravo and Sarwan yesterday, when the coach talked about chasing down a record target. But Sri Lanka used all their experience and hung on. Vaas pegged away, got the important wicket of Chanderpaul and picked up his 12th five-wicket haul.
A couple of umpiring decisions were questionable but SL were the deserved winners.
Gayle has to be applauded for his heroic effort. Too bad he was left stranded. He worked to a plan to drop himself to No.6 and nearly justified it with a draw.
Here's Jayawardene at the presentation: "It was a terrific effort from just four specialist bowlers. It was also a terrific effort from those two guys (Vaas and Murali). We're trying to build a pool of 20 guys to pick from and the new guys have done extremely well to prove themselves."
Vaas is the
The best thing to come out of this match for Sri Lanka is Thushara. He got the ball to swing, in around and kept the top order in check. His over to Ramdin has to rank as the best of the match and his five wickets will undoubtedly guarantee him a few more games.
West Indies may contemplate a few changes for Trinidad. Those lining up for places are Ganga, Chattergoon, Jaggernauth and Edwards.
Thanks for your company through this Test. Thanks for all the mails and encouraging feedback. I thoroughly enjoyed bringing this game to you. On behalf of our scorer Chaminda de Silva, and Jamie Alter, this is Kanishkaa Balachandran signing off. Do join us for the Port of Spain Test starting April 3. Cheers!
106.2
W
Vaas to Powell, OUT
Daren Powell c Muralidaran b Vaas 14 (13b 3x4 0x6 19m) SR: 107.69
106.1
•
Vaas to Powell, no run
slides a full delivery on the pads, he whips it wide of midwicket and turns down th single!
end of over 1064 runs
WI: 315/9CRR: 2.97
Chris Gayle51 (131b 7x4 1x6)
Daren Powell14 (11b 3x4)
Thilan Thushara 17-2-70-2
Chaminda Vaas 22-7-61-4
105.6
•
Thushara to Gayle, no run
wasted delivery, bangs it in short and wide, he lets it go
105.5
•
Thushara to Gayle, no run
pitches outside off, no away movement to trouble him, left alone
105.4
4
Thushara to Gayle, FOUR runs
short, wide and slapped away with disdain past point and cover, that was all power, he brings up his fifty, what an ice-cool captain's innings this is
105.3
•
Thushara to Gayle, no run
full and wide outside off, Gayle goes for an expansive drive but drags it from outside off to mid-on
105.2
•
Thushara to Gayle, no run
pitches closer to the offstump, Gayle again safely lets it go
105.1
•
Thushara to Gayle, no run
pitches outside off and straightens, Gayle safely negotiates it
Thushara replaces Murali. Can he wrap it up?
end of over 1058 runs
WI: 311/9CRR: 2.96
Daren Powell14 (11b 3x4)
Chris Gayle47 (125b 6x4 1x6)
Chaminda Vaas 22-7-61-4
Muthiah Muralidaran 45-6-112-3
104.6
4
Vaas to Powell, FOUR runs
sticks his bat out and just angles it wide of third slip and gully
Powell gets a bit of treatment on his arm
104.5
•
Vaas to Powell, no run
Have they got him?? Nope! Vaas bangs it in short, Powell goes forward instead of staying back, he's squared up by the bounce and tries to evade it, the ball lobs to Jayawardene at first slip, they all believe they've wrapped it up but Taufel shakes his head. Replays showed the ball hitting the forearm so a good decision
104.4
•
Vaas to Powell, no run
pushed back to the bowler, the crowd applaud
104.3
4
Vaas to Powell, FOUR runs
mighty close! Pitches outside off, Powell nibbles at it and gets a thin outside edge which just beats a diving Dilshan at second slip
104.2
•
Vaas to Powell, no run
pokes at it away from his body and the ball nearly rolls onto his stumps
104.1
•
Vaas to Powell, no run
close shout, he gets very close to the pad and gets a thin inside edge onto his pads
Tension here...Powell faces Vaas
end of over 1046 runs
WI: 303/9CRR: 2.91
Chris Gayle47 (125b 6x4 1x6)
Daren Powell6 (5b 1x4)
Muthiah Muralidaran 45-6-112-3
Chaminda Vaas 21-7-53-4
103.6
6
Murali to Gayle, SIX runs
effortless... flighted on off and middle, Gayle stays at the crease and lofts through the line with ease straight over the bowler's head
103.5
•
Murali to Gayle, no run
gets a big stride forward and pushes to cover
103.4
•
Murali to Gayle, no run
gets forward and pushes back to the bowler
103.3
•
Murali to Gayle, no run
flighted outside off, he shoulders arms
103.2
•
Murali to Gayle, no run
slides down the legside, he pads it off down the legside
103.1
•
Murali to Gayle, no run
comes round the wicket, he lunges forward and pads it away
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