Sri Lankan middle order bursts back to life

Sri Lanka's under performing middle order burst back to life at the Premadasa International Stadium today, as the home side completed a five-wicket victory against New Zealand in the fourth match of the Coca Cola Cup.

New Zealand had dominated an overcast day until Marvan Atapattu and Russel Arnold rescued the Sri Lankan innings with a 110-run partnership for the fifth wicket. After Atapattu was run out, Suresh Perera joined man of the match Arnold and the pair took their side to victory in an unbeaten 103-run stand from just 98 balls.

When New Zealand scored 236, having won the toss and batted, history suggested that Sri Lanka would lose the game; firstly, because the Kiwi total was the highest of the tournament thus far and, secondly, because no side had previously won batting second.

Sri Lanka's chances looked even slimmer when the New Zealand opening bowlers impressed for the second game in a row with a metronomic new ball burst, which reduced Sri Lanka to 27 for four in just the ninth over of the innings.

Captain Sanath Jayasuriya was trapped leg before wicket as he wandered into an inswinger from Kyle Mills; Romesh Kaluwitharana was turned inside out by an outswinger in the same; Avishka Gunawardene slashed straight to the Velcro like hands of Chris Harris; and Mahela Jayawardene was run out without scoring.

Atappatu and Arnold, both short of runs so far in the tournament, set about repairing the early damage with a string of positive strokes, especially Atapattu, who looked far from the stodgy anchor that he is supposed to be.

In fact, the pitch, which was also used on Sunday, never displayed the horrors that we saw in the second game between India and New Zealand and the Sri Lankan batsmen were able to hit 22 boundaries in their innings.

Atapattu's flowing innings came to an abrupt end when he chanced his arm once too often and, returning for a second run, was run out despite a desperate dive. He had scored 66 and Sri Lanka were 137 for five with 16.1 overs remaining.

The body language of the Kiwi's perked up and they rightly sensed that the breakthrough could pave the way to victory. Such wistful hopes though were dashed, as Perera followed Sunday's man of the match award with the finest innings of his career and probably the first of many half centuries in international cricket.

Arnold played cleverly and maturely for his unbeaten 91 from 116 balls, but Perera unveiled some scorching strokes, just when the run rate was creeping above seven an over.

Suffering from a bruised hip, which necessitated the confusion of a runner (amusingly Jayawardene, who had been run out second ball), and with 40 runs needed from the final five overs he went into overdrive, carving the bowlers over cover and straight down the ground.

Craig McMillan, acting captain in place of Stephen Fleming, who spent most the day clutching his stomach in the team hotel, was particularly harshly dealt with and conceded 35 runs from his 3.3 overs. Ultimately Sri Lanka cantered to victory with nine balls to spare.

Earlier in the day the Clear Black Caps had attacked the seamers in the first 15 overs and made full use of the fielding restrictions. Bouncing along at nearly six runs per over, the first wicket fell with the score on 70.

Nathan Astle followed his 117 last week with another robust 54 today, though he will be kicking himself for being bowled by Arnold's first delivery. In fact, Arnold proved to be one of the most economical of the Sri Lankan bowlers, conceding 22 runs from his six overs and taking two wickets.

McMillan (38) impressed against the spinners, shuffling outside the line against Muralitharan, though the off spinner had the final say when he bowled him, Lou Vincent (30) batted solidly, and Adam Parore finished the innings in style with 37 from just 25 balls.