SriLanka completed a massive 57-run win against the West Indies, in a match which highlighted the fact that orthodox cricket is still important in the T20 format as well. Regardless of how inventive the shots have become or the pinch hitters may hit the ball out of the park – solid technique for a batsman is essential. Former SriLankan Captain Mahela Jayewardene proved just that. His scintillating form proved that even if one plays proper cricketing shots, quick runs are easy to get. He missed out by two runs by scoring another century in the tournament.
West Indies on their part were completely off color. There was no sense of purpose within the team. The bowlers had no answers to the class of Mahela Jayewardene and Kumara Sangakara. One the contrary, the West Indian batting lacked any sort of momentum. All the batsmen were looking to score one or two big boundaries and not trying to grind it out for the big haul.
Opening the batting, Jayawerdene batted with a lot of responsibility after the early loss of Sanath Jayasuria, who was promoted back to the opening slot after Tillekaratne Dilshan failed to impress. However, the move did not pay off as Jayasuria was dismissed without troubling the scorers. Captain Kumara Sangakara came in to join Jayawerdene in the centre. Both players looked aggressive and started to size up the West Indian attack to all parts of the ground. Both players paced their innings to perfection. Together, they put up a partnership of 166 runs for the second wicket - the highest partnership for the tournament thus far.
The West Indian fielding was not up to the mark at all with five catches going down during the Sri Lankan innings. SriLanka made full use of the opportunities coming their way by punishing the inept West Indian bowling attack at every given chance.
Jerome Taylor, who was making a comeback into the side after a long absence, was denied an early wicket as Pollard dropped Sanath Jayasuria. However, he was dismissed soon. Taylor was once again biting his lips in anger as Captain Chris Gayle dropped Kumara Sangakara's catch in the slips, for which they had to pay a heavy price.
Chris Gayle and his team, halfway through Lankan innings seemed to have accepted the fact that they will be facing a huge total. Jayawerdene narrowly missed his second century of the tournament by remaining not out on 98. Meanwhile, Sangakara made a quick fire 66 as Sri Lanka ended their innings at a massive total of 195 runs.
In reply, the West Indies were on the back foot after some devastating blows in the first two overs of their innings. Chanderpaul and Gayle were sent back to the dug out in the space of three deliveries, as West Indies were 23 for two. They just could not recover with the required rate climbing after every dot ball. The team’s reliance on their captain was once again exposed, as the middle order did not even seem to make an effort to go for the big target. Eventually, the West Indies ended at a pedestrian score of 138 for eight.
Sri Lanka is halfway through to the semi finals that need one more win from their last two super eight games to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. West Indies however, need to bring their A game to the tournament if they want to challenge teams like Australia and India in the last two games of their super eight matches.
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