Arjuna Ranatunga To Quit As Captain (08 Apr 1996)

Monday April 8 1996

Ranatunga to quit

ARJUNA RANATUNGA, who led Sri Lanka to victory in the World Cup, will step down as captain, it was reported yesterday.

Ranatunga, whose side lost by 43 runs to Pakistan in the final of the Singer Cup in Singapore, said vice-captain Aravinda de Silva should take over.

His announcement came following another explosive match which featured the quickest half-century in a one-day international by Sanath Jayasuriya from 17 deliveries.

Chasing a modest 215 on the Padang ground, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 172 in 32.5 overs after appearing set for victory when Jayasuriya, who five days ago struck the quickest hundred in one-day internationals, was in full flow.

His fifty, which contained five sixes and four fours, was quicker by a ball than Australian all-rounder Simon O`Donnell`s against New Zealand in 1990. Jayasuriya was eventually out for 76 off 27 balls, including five sixes and eight fours. His dismissal with the score at 96 prompted a collapse as four wickets fell for 10 runs.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http.//www.telegraph.co.uk)