Chaminda Vaas starts LG Abans tri-series with record-breaking bonanza
In was nightmare for the sponsors, but a dream for Colombo's police authorities, who were reportedly in a quandary as to whether to impose another post-election city-wide curfew in the afternoon, as Chaminda Vaas ensured the first game of the LG
Charlie Austin
08-Dec-2001
In was nightmare for the sponsors, but a dream for Colombo's police
authorities, who were reportedly in a quandary as to whether to impose
another post-election city-wide curfew in the afternoon, as Chaminda Vaas
ensured the first game of the LG Abans triangular ODI series was the
shortest ever One-Day International.
By midday, after just two hours, Sri Lanka had wrapped up a nine-wicket win
having bowled out Zimbabwe for just 38, the lowest ever total in ODI
cricket, surpassing the 43 scored by Pakistan against West Indies at Cape
Town in 1992/3. They then knocked off the required runs in just 4.2 overs.
For the second time in the week, it was Vaas who created the mayhem, as
Zimbabwe's shocked batsmen wandered across their stumps like rabbits caught
full-beam. The 27-year-old left-armer took the first eight wickets to fall
and looked to be heading for all ten before Muttiah Muralitharan took two
wickets in four balls to finish off the innings.
His eight for 19 was the best ever bowling analysis in one-day cricket's
31-year history, surpassing the seven for 30 taken by Muralitharan last year
against India at Sharjah.
Vaas bowled well with the new white ball, which does swing more than the red
one, and Sri Lanka had won a good toss in the morning on a greasy Sinhalese
Sports Club pitch, but there could be no proper explanation for such a
miserly total. This was no minefield and Vaas has bowled better for less
reward - in fact he probably swung the ball more prodigiously in his last
Test match.
But Vaas still deserves great credit for record-breaking spell, which would
have pleased no one more than his wife who was celebrating her birthday
alone at home today. Vaas has worked extremely hard during the past year,
both on his fitness and skills. Coach Dav Whatmore praised his "focused
attitude to training" and believed that "performances like this don't happen
by accident." His performance was a victory for the humble hard-working
medium pacer, who success depends on the twin virtues of accuracy and
movement. Today he was spot on.
Zimbabwean captain, Stuart Carlisle, called it a "freak result" and hoped
that his side could quickly flush today's disturbing events out of their
system tomorrow, when they take on the West Indies. But the tourists will be
concerned that they struggled so much against the swinging ball; a weakness
that cost them both practice matches against young Sri Lankan board XI's.
Vaas started his wicket-taking spree with the first delivery of the match; a
full-length inswinger that curved onto the toe of opener Dion Ebrahim.
Stuart Carlisle then added 11 runs for the second wicket with Grant Flower -
a noteworthy partnership in the context - before Vaas severely dented
Zimbabwean hopes by dismissing both Flower brothers in his third over: Grant
(1) was bowled and Andy (0) was caught behind for a second-ball duck (11 for
three).
Carlisle added a couple of boundaries with Craig Wishart in 25 minute stand,
but Vaas's sixth over singled the start of the end as the last seven wickets
fell for just 11 runs.
Nuwan Zoysa has taken a Test hat-trick but no Sri Lankan had taken a one-day
hat-trick till today, when Vaas had Carlisle (16), trying to be positive,
caught at third man, Wishart (6) and Tatrenda Taibu (0) trapped lbw with
sharply swinging induckers (27 for six).
Heath Streak (0) was dismissed in a similar manner and Mluleki Nkala (1)
edged to Sangakkara behind the stumps (32 for eight).
Sanath Jayasuriya then called up Muralitharan and the off-spinner zipped his
third ball through the defenses of Travis Friend (4) and had last man, Henry
Olonga, caught at slip next ball.
Sri Lanka started badly, losing Avishka Gunawardene in the first over, but
still cruised to victory as Marvan Atapattu stroked four fours in his
16-ball 23 not out and Jayasuriya walloped 13 from seven balls.
Zimbabwe now will play West Indies tomorrow and they will take some heart
from the fact that the West Indies tour slipped further into disarray last
night when their premier fast bowler, who would have been a real handful on
this SSC pitch, was sent home for disciplinary reasons.