Sri Lanka Cricket’s hypocrisy exposed

Ageing horses making a mockery of so-called development programmes

Sri Lankan cricket selectors, no matter who gets in there, have done it again. They picked a band of ageing horses like they always did, this time for the Asian Games that concluded in China yesterday. The result, not even a bronze medal won.
Cricket followers may have been too pre-occupied with the current home series with the West Indies in Sri Lanka than to find out who these blokes sent to China were. But the names make interesting reading. Jehan Mubarak, who captained a so-called Wayamba team, to be massacred at the recent Champions Trophy in South Africa, Jeewantha Kulatunga, Nuwan Zoyza, Gayan
Wijekoon, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Kaushal Weeraratne, Malinga Bandara, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Isuru Udana, Indika de Saram and Kaushal Lokuarachchi. Come the next second grade tour, and the experts could bet these same blokes would be there once again.
Why? It’s so simple. These guys cannot get a place in the
Sri Lanka Test, ODI or T-20 team and so they will be kept happy with these tours where they could collect their due payments and have a good time, win or lose.
The end result is that the pompous boast of Sri Lanka Cricket president D. S. de Silva that young players are being nurtured and under-privileged schoolboys in the provinces provided with equipment, is being mocked at and the scroll fit for the nearest garbage dumb.
Could not the selectors have sent a team of under-19 schoolboy cricketers to this international event or a team from the Academy, not to win but to give them a feel of the future?
It appears that ground realities exist only on paper with nothing practical to go by thanks to the flamboyance of Sri Lankan cricket officials, who are at their brilliant best gracing launching ceremonies and media circuses and banging the doors of flashy cars. What happens to the manager's reports of these tours or what is in it is the question that begs for answers.

courtesy of http://print.dailymirror.lk/sports/128-local/28521.html

Lanka lose to Bangladesh in cricket, meets Paks for bronnze

Sri Lanka will have to wait until Friday afternoon whether its 143-membercontingent for the 16th Asian Games would return home empty handed withouta single medal or not. Sri Lanka lost its semi final match to Bangladeshby five wickets today and will now have to wait until today’s third placeplay-off match against Pakistan to know whether they would take home atleast a solitary bronze medal.

It was a giant killing performances in today’s semi finals as the twoteams which were fancied to figure in Friday’s final – Sri Lanka andPakistan, were both beaten by minnows Bangladesh and Afghanistanrespectively.

Returning to the ‘semis’ with a narrow two-wicket win over Nepal withseven balls to spare on the previous day in the quarter finals, Sri Lankanever looked comfortable against Bangladesh. The only thing that wentright for Sri Lanka was skipper Jehan Mebarak’s right call when tossing.

Sri Lanka will now meet Pakistan in Friday’s third place play-off todecide the bronze medallist. Pakistan too suffered a shock defeat at thehand of Afghanistan in the other semi final. Afghanistan proved that theirshock win over Hong Kong in the quarter finals was not a fluke, when theyknocked out the hot favourtites Pakistan by 22 runs in the first semifinal.

Chief scores of semi-finals:

First semi final – Afghanistan beat Pakistan by 22 runsAfghanistan: 125 for 8 in 20 overs (Shabir Ahmad Noori 35, Karim KhanSadeq 19, Lal Kumar 2 for 24, Muhammed Irshad 2 for 25, Reza Hassan 2 for19).

Pakistan: 103 for 7 in 20 overs (Sharjeel Khan 23, Khalid Latif 26, lalKumar 18 n,o, Hamid Hasan 2 for 16, Karim Khan Sadeq 2 for 17).Second semi final – Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by five wicketsSri Lanka: 101 all out in 20 overs (Nuwan Zoysa 11, Jeevantha Kulatunga25, Kusal Perera 14, Chinthaka Jayasinghe 28, Kazi Shahadat Hossain 3 for29, Mohammed Sohrawordi 4 for 6).

Bangladesh: 102 for 5 in 15.2 overs (Mohammed Nazim Uddin 16, Naeem Islam25, Mohammed Ashraful 18, Foysalhossain Decans 33, Nuwan Zoysa 2 for 15,Malinga Bandara 1 for 23, T.M. Sampath 1 for 8).



Courtesy of  http://www.sundayobserver.lk/
   
   



   

Sangakkara boosts S.Lanka in W.Indies cricket Test

SL 294/5	12H Jayawardene* , KC Sangakkara135
						Kumar Sangakkara hit an impressive 135 not out under pressure to boost Sri Lanka in the second Test against the West Indies on Wednesday.The skipper hit one six and 16 fours in a 252-ball knock for his 24th Test hundred as Sri Lanka posted 294-5 in their first innings at stumps on the second day. Prasanna Jayawardene was unbeaten on 12 when play was called off after tea due to rain. Sangakkara steadied the innings with a record 170-run stand for the fourth wicket with Thilan Samaraweera (80) after three wickets fell for 34 runs on a new pitch on Tuesday's opening day. The stand was the best for the fourth wicket in Sri Lanka-West Indies Tests, surpassing the previous highest of 167 between Chris Gayle and Brendan Nash in the drawn first match of the ongoing three-match series in Galle. The West Indies, who bowled well in overcast conditions Tuesday, struggled for success as they could take just two wickets in the first two sessions. Sangakkara and Samaraweera dominated the opening session with their exciting strokeplay, scoring runs comfortably against both pace and spin. The hosts did not lose a wicket in the morning, adding 115 to their overnight total of 84-3. Samaraweera looked set to reach his 13th Test century before falling in the afternoon, pulling seamer Dwayne Bravo straight to Shane Shillingford at fine leg after hitting one six and eight fours in his solid 170-ball knock. The West Indies got a second wicket in the afternoon with the new ball when paceman Kemar Roach had Angelo Mathews (25) caught behind, but not before the batsman had added 69 for the fifth wicket with his captain. Sangakkara, who made 73 in Galle, completed his century when he drove Bravo through the covers for a single. He offered a chance on 118 when he attempted to pull Bravo, but wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh failed to hold on to the ball. Samaraweera, 26 overnight, played some handsome shots in the morning, straight-driving and then cutting Bravo for two successive fours before reaching his 25th Test half-century. The Sri Lankan skipper also batted confidently, once fluently driving Roach through the covers and then cutting firmly for two boundaries in an over. Sangakkara, 25 overnight, completed his half-century with an attacking shot, pulling seamer Darren Sammy for a four. The West Indies needed a couple of early wickets to gain the upper hand but none of their bowlers could keep pressure on Samaraweera and Sangakkara. Off-spinner Shillingford, reported for a suspected illegal bowling action after impressing in the previous Test with five wickets, went wicketless in his 15 overs. Sangakkara used his feet well against spinners, once lofting Shillingford over long-on for a six and then hitting the spinner over mid-on for a four in the same over. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved

Cricket-Sri Lanka v West Indies scoreboard at lunch

COLOMBO, November 24 (Reuters) - Scoreboard at lunch on 
the second day of the second cricket test between Sri Lanka 
and West Indies on Wednesday. 

Sri Lanka first innings 

(overnight 84-3) 

T Paranavitana c DM Bravo b Roach 16 

T Dilshan b Roach 4 

K Sangakkara not out 84 

M Jayawardene b Sammy 2 

T Samaraweera not out 78 

Extras: (b-2, lb-4, nb-2, w-7) 15 

Total: (three wickets, 70 overs) 199 

Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-31, 3-34. 

To Bat: A Mathews, P Jayawardene, N Kulasekara, R Herath, 
A Mendis, S Lakmal. 

Courtesy of http://uk.reuters.com/ 

Sri Lanka cricketers meet Nepal in quarter finals

Sri Lanka will be at full strength when they take on Nepal in the quarterfinals of the 16th Asian Games Twenty20 cricket tournament to be played atGuanggong Cricket Stadium in Guangzhou on Wednesday.Coach Sumithra Warnakulasuriya said Sri Lanka will not take any chancesand will play its full team for the opening quarter final game. “Sincethis is a knock out and we are playing directly in the quarter finalwithout any preliminary round experience on the wicket, we are not goingto take any chances,” Warnakulasuriya told the Observer Online aftertoday’s final practice session.
“We had a look at Nepalese side in their preliminary round game against Hong Kong. Their strength is bowling and fielding though the same could not be said about Nepal’s batting. Hence, this is a knock out, we take this game seriously without underestimatingour opponents,” he said.
Sri Lanka coach said the toss will play a decisive role. “The wicket isonto the slow and turning side. They are using only two tracks for theentire tournament. Hence, batting the toss will be a big advantage,” hesaid. If Sri Lanka skipper Jehan Mubarak calls correct, they will nothesitate to first lease of the wicket. “If we can bat first and set a bigtotal, we could keep them under pressure. But if they bat first, we haveto make sure that we restrict them to a low total,” Warnakumasuriya said,adding that the team is in good shape, anxiously waiting to make theirAsian Games debut.
In the first quarter final scheduled for Wednesday morning session, Group‘D’ table leaders Hong Kong will meet Afghanistan. The winners of thisgame will play Pakistan in Thursday’s semi finals. The second quarterfinal between Sri Lanka and Nepal will be played in the afternoon sessionat the same venue.
If Sri Lanka wins their quarter final game against Nepal, they will advance to play Bangladesh in the second semi final to be played on Thursday. Bangladesh made it to the last four, when they beat Malaysia by 70 runs in their quarter final match played today.Electing to bat first this morning, Bangladesh made 150 for 7 in 20 overswith opener Mohammed Mithun making a top score of 39. In reply, Malaysiawere bowled out for 80 in 19.4 overs.

Courtesy of http://www.sundayobserver.lk

Sri Lanka cricketers meet Nepal in quarter finals

Sri Lanka will be at full strength when they take on Nepal in the quarterfinals of the 16th Asian Games Twenty20 cricket tournament to be played atGuanggong Cricket Stadium in Guangzhou on Wednesday.Coach Sumithra Warnakulasuriya said Sri Lanka will not take any chancesand will play its full team for the opening quarter final game. “Sincethis is a knock out and we are playing directly in the quarter finalwithout any preliminary round experience on the wicket, we are not goingto take any chances,” Warnakulasuriya told the Observer Online aftertoday’s final practice session.
“We had a look at Nepalese side in their preliminary round game against Hong Kong. Their strength is bowling and fielding though the same could not be said about Nepal’s batting. Hence, this is a knock out, we take this game seriously without underestimatingour opponents,” he said.
Sri Lanka coach said the toss will play a decisive role. “The wicket isonto the slow and turning side. They are using only two tracks for theentire tournament. Hence, batting the toss will be a big advantage,” hesaid. If Sri Lanka skipper Jehan Mubarak calls correct, they will nothesitate to first lease of the wicket. “If we can bat first and set a bigtotal, we could keep them under pressure. But if they bat first, we haveto make sure that we restrict them to a low total,” Warnakumasuriya said,adding that the team is in good shape, anxiously waiting to make theirAsian Games debut.
In the first quarter final scheduled for Wednesday morning session, Group‘D’ table leaders Hong Kong will meet Afghanistan. The winners of thisgame will play Pakistan in Thursday’s semi finals. The second quarterfinal between Sri Lanka and Nepal will be played in the afternoon sessionat the same venue.
If Sri Lanka wins their quarter final game against Nepal, they will advance to play Bangladesh in the second semi final to be played on Thursday. Bangladesh made it to the last four, when they beat Malaysia by 70 runs in their quarter final match played today.Electing to bat first this morning, Bangladesh made 150 for 7 in 20 overswith opener Mohammed Mithun making a top score of 39. In reply, Malaysiawere bowled out for 80 in 19.4 overs.

Play will start tomorrow 15 minutes early to recover some of the lost time on day one.

Heavy overnight rain in the Sri Lankan capital prevented any play until 12.30pm local time, a delay which seemed to galvanise the tourists, who had the better of a high-scoring draw in the first Test in Galle, as they flew out the traps to reduce the hosts to 34 for three.
However, Sri Lanka soon steadied the ship with Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera contributing 50 runs before the umpires brought a premature halt to proceedings at the R Premadasa Stadium due to bad light shortly after the tea interval, with no further play was possible.
Kemar Roach made the early breakthrough for the West Indies as his devilish delivery samshed into Tillakaratne Dilshan's stumps, with the batsman on four, and then removing Sri Lanka's other opener Tharanga Paranavitana, inducing an edge to Dwayne Bravo at second slip to leave the home side struggling on 31 for two.
Mahela Jayawardene faced just seven balls, scoring two runs, before becoming the third man out as his inside-edge off a delivery froim skipper Darren Sammy struck his off-stump and dislodged the bails.
Sangakkara then entered he fray to add a patient, and at time tedious, 25 runs off 92 balls, while Samaraweera added an unbeaten 26 off 69 balls which featured two fours and one six.

Courtesy of http://www.sport360.com/

India vs Srilanka Test Series Live Telecast

Left arm spinner Sulieman Benn is expected to return to the West Indies line-up and form a dual spin attack with offspinner Shane Shillingford when the second Test against Sri Lanka begins in Colombo on Tuesday.

Benn missed the drawn first Test in Galle because he was serving a ban for bringing the game into disrepute during the visitors' last series against South Africa, while Shillingford is under a cloud after his action was reported to the International Cricket Council following the match.
West Indies coach Ottis Gibson, however, stood by his two controversial bowlers and indicated the twin spin approach could provide the future direction for the side.
"The inclusion of Shillingford and Benn is a sign of changing times in West Indies cricket," said Gibson. "Most people in the world expect Caribbean cricket to have four fast bowlers because that's what our success as a nation was built on.
"The reality though is now in the Caribbean and around the world the wickets are a lot different to the way they used to be.
"We have the option now of playing two spinners whereas in the past you may never see two spinners playing in the same match for West Indies."
West Indies dominated the first Test with Chris Gayle scoring a career best 333 in their 580 for nine declared.
Shillingford then took four wickets to help bowl the hosts out for 378.
He picked up one more wicket in the second innings as Sri Lanka battled out a draw on the rain-hit final day and Gibson felt they could only build on that performance.
"The Sri Lanka tour is the beginning of a stabilisation process in West Indies cricket after almost 15 years of decline," said Gibson.
"I think it will take at least five years to get back to where we want to be but at the same time you have to start from somewhere.
"This is the start of a stabilisation process. You've got to stabilise before you move forward."
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said he felt his batsmen would be better placed in Colombo having had their first look at Shillingford.
"He's got a lot of variation and bounce but I thought our guys played him for the first time pretty well," Sangakkara said.
"As we go along I think we'll probably look at him a bit more and see how better we can adjust our game plan to him."
The hosts have made two changes to their squad recalling seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who is expected to share the new ball with either Dilhara Fernando or uncapped Suranga Lakmal.
Uncapped fast bowler Shaminda Eranga has also been included in their 16-man squad. Dammika Prasad and Thilan Thushara were both dropped.
The match will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, a 2011 World Cup venue, although renovations are still incomplete.

Sri Lanka (from): Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Tharanga Paranavitana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Silva.
West Indies (from): Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Brendan Nash, Darren Bravo, Carlton Baugh, Darren Sammy, Kemar Roach, Shane Shillingford, Sulieman Benn, Andre Russell, Devon Smith, Nelon Pascal, Devon Thomas.

Courtesy of http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/

President felicitates Sri Lanka cricket legend Muralitharan

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa congratulated the cricket legend, Muttiah Muralitharan, who retired from Test Cricket breaking a world record by obtaining 800 Test wickets, today at the Temple Trees.
Muralitharan expressed his gratitude to President Rajapaksa for the support provided to him for his success, when he met the President. He presented a token of appreciation to the President at the meeting.

Muralitharan, the World Record holder in wicket taking announced his retirement from Test cricket in July. He will however be playing for the 2011 World Cup.
Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in both Test cricket and in One-Day Internationals.
(Photo by Sudath Silva)

Courtesy of http://www.colombopage.com/

Cricket-De Villiers record puts S.Africa in charge

*De Villiers sets record with 278 not out
*South Africa declare on 584-9
(Updates at close)
AB de Villiers posted South Africa's highest individual score to give them firm control of the second test on the second day against Pakistan at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Sunday.
De Villiers scored 278 not out to pass Graeme Smith's landmark of 277 against England in Birmingham in 2003, with captain Smith declaring their first innings closed on 584 for nine shortly afterwards.
Taufeeq Umar (16) and Azhar Ali (34) then took Pakistan to 59 for one before bad light stopped play and stumps were drawn with seven overs remaining in the day.
Mohammad Hafeez was the batsman out, playing across his front pad and being trapped lbw for two in the first over of the innings.
De Villiers came to the wicket with the score a parlous 33 for three on the first morning but immediately looked settled and occupied the crease for more than 11 hours, taking 418 deliveries and hitting 23 fours and six sixes.
South Africa had begun the second day on 311 for five and De Villiers showed excellent management of the lower order as he shared stands of 73 with Mark Boucher (45), 42 with Johan Botha (12), 59 with Steyn (27) and 35 with Paul Harris (19).
The 26-year-old De Villiers reached the record in a thrilling final hour of the innings, when he and last man Morne Morkel (35 not out) added a record 107 runs in 13.4 overs.
South Africa's previous best 10th-wicket stand was made in 1929 when Harold "Tuppy" Owen-Smith and Alexander "Sandy" Bell added 103 against England in Leeds.
Pace bowler Tanvir Ahmed, playing in his first test, was the best of the Pakistan bowlers with six for 120 in 27 overs.
De Villiers, who had a reputation for impetuous strokeplay in his youth, batted with composure and maturity, before tearing into the bowling in the hour before tea.
De Villiers, whose double century was the second of this career, and Jacques Kallis (105) had added 179 for the fourth wicket on the first day.
The first test in the two-match series was drawn in Dubai last week.

Courtesy of http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/

Vaas concerned about Lanka’s fast bowling

Vaas concerned about Lanka’s fast bowling

Training regime is not proper

Missed only one match through injury in sixteen years of international cricket

This is the real post Murali-Vaas era in Test cricket for Sri Lanka. In our last outing with Murali, the Lankans convincingly beat the present top dogs in cricket, India, at the same ground that Chris Gayle manhandled the Lankan bowlers. The last game where the Lankans beat the Indians became the last occasion so far that the former, playing on their home soil, managed to bag all twenty of their opponent’s wickets. They did so for the cost of 614 runs. In the very next match the Indians ran amok with a total of 707 runs to draw the test. In the next outing India beat Sri Lanka while only losing fifteen wickets for the cost of 694 runs and in the first innings of the West Indian game the bowling was taken for 580 by a team whose fortunes in Test cricket are presently dwindling. This means that in the four innings that the Lankans have bowled since then they have given away 1981 runs to bag 34 wickets, which works to almost 58.25 runs per wicket. Chaminda Vaas At the initial stages of the West Indian innings, both Chris Gayle and Adrian Barath were struggling, but both Lankan seam bowlers Thilan Thushara and Dhammika Prasad lacked the art of converting batting doubts into wickets, the result was the repetition of what Colombo experienced a few days ago, except that in this case instead of water it was raining fours and sixes. So it was with a tentative and heavy head that I met Murali’s career partner Chaminda Vaas – by far the most successful seam bowler that Sri Lanka has ever produced. Vaas explained how his combination with Murali worked beyond the boundary line. “We understood each other well. I knew my job was to keep one side tight and build up the pressure while at the other end Murali kept sending the batsmen home. Finally we ended up taking more than a thousand wickets for Sri Lanka – Murali 800 and myself finishing up with 350 wickets. Ironically I cannot see that happening now. There is no penetration in our bowling.” Vaas described taking wickets as an art and explained how he became one of the early strikers who regularly bagged a scalp or two within the first five overs. He said, “First comes learning how to land the ball in the right areas and also learning how to outthink the batsman. If they play and miss twice I know that I can get their wickets. Then with a subtle change in direction either he is standing right in front of the stumps or has completely missed the in coming ball. I remember Chris Gayle who scored a triple century in Galle used to fall for my ploys very regularly.” Then Vaas said that Lasith Malinga could be described as the only international class bowler since the departure of Murali and he, but asked, “How long is he going survive with his action? Playing five-day cricket is not easy. Your fitness levels have to be at the peak. Playing Malinga in both Test and the shorter forms of the game will be a huge ask for Sri Lanka cricket. At this juncture, the World Cup is around the bend – then are we going to risk Malinga in Test Cricket?” When asked what he thinks of the rung of fast bowlers on the periphery and how they are going to fit into the equation Vaas lamented, “Yes, we have a battery of fast bowlers on the wing, but I am rather concerned about their training schedule. For the past two months we have had no cricket. I feel that is the time that they have to do the gym work, start shaping into their physical peak by swimming, running etc. But, I see them at the nets in the morning, noon and afternoon. When they start bowling with this regularity they are not going to be physically fit. When they have an off season what they have to do is build themselves up and be ready for the next season. “They must start bowling with about three weeks to go for the next tournament. Then the building up they have during the off season will help them to be at their peak and be injury free. But what happens here is when it comes to a match, after all that bowling at the nets, the bowler falls victim to injury the moment they stretch a little too much. I see even the bowlers in the national pool going through the same regime and at times working like net bowlers.” Talking about his own fitness level, Vaas said that he missed the sixth Test that he was scheduled to play through an injury, but thereafter for nearly fifteen years of international cricket, he never missed a match through injury. Vaas is of the view that one cannot change bowlers and bowling actions when they are already in the top hub of cricket. He says that cricketers play cricket from under 13 level and there, at that time, they should mould their action. Then it is up to the coaches to let them develop as they are and only hone their wicket taking skills. But, he says most fast bowlers change to the short-lever of delivery through which they can generate more pace, but he thinks this is a waste of time. “It is not exactly pace that brings you wickets, it is the skill that you posses to out-manoeuvre the batsman. Pace is only an added advantage. If you put all your concentration on it you may lose direction. Once again the coaches can tell you, but it is you who finally perform in the middle.” At this juncture we popped the question if Sri Lanka could maintain this momentum in world cricket, where they are perched third in the Test rankings and the second in the ODI rankings. Vaas said, “Since we won the World Cup in 1996 our cricket has been on an upward trend. Somehow we must find ways of maintaining this momentum. The cricketers alone may not be able to do it. The whole cricketing machine will have to shoulder the task and see to it that round plugs are put in round holes.” Courtesy of http://www.sundaytimes.lk

Vaas concerned about Lanka’s fast bowling

Vaas concerned about Lanka’s fast bowling

Training regime is not proper

Missed only one match through injury in sixteen years of international cricket

This is the real post Murali-Vaas era in Test cricket for Sri Lanka. In our last outing with Murali, the Lankans convincingly beat the present top dogs in cricket, India, at the same ground that Chris Gayle manhandled the Lankan bowlers. The last game where the Lankans beat the Indians became the last occasion so far that the former, playing on their home soil, managed to bag all twenty of their opponent’s wickets. They did so for the cost of 614 runs. In the very next match the Indians ran amok with a total of 707 runs to draw the test. In the next outing India beat Sri Lanka while only losing fifteen wickets for the cost of 694 runs and in the first innings of the West Indian game the bowling was taken for 580 by a team whose fortunes in Test cricket are presently dwindling. This means that in the four innings that the Lankans have bowled since then they have given away 1981 runs to bag 34 wickets, which works to almost 58.25 runs per wicket. Chaminda Vaas At the initial stages of the West Indian innings, both Chris Gayle and Adrian Barath were struggling, but both Lankan seam bowlers Thilan Thushara and Dhammika Prasad lacked the art of converting batting doubts into wickets, the result was the repetition of what Colombo experienced a few days ago, except that in this case instead of water it was raining fours and sixes. So it was with a tentative and heavy head that I met Murali’s career partner Chaminda Vaas – by far the most successful seam bowler that Sri Lanka has ever produced. Vaas explained how his combination with Murali worked beyond the boundary line. “We understood each other well. I knew my job was to keep one side tight and build up the pressure while at the other end Murali kept sending the batsmen home. Finally we ended up taking more than a thousand wickets for Sri Lanka – Murali 800 and myself finishing up with 350 wickets. Ironically I cannot see that happening now. There is no penetration in our bowling.” Vaas described taking wickets as an art and explained how he became one of the early strikers who regularly bagged a scalp or two within the first five overs. He said, “First comes learning how to land the ball in the right areas and also learning how to outthink the batsman. If they play and miss twice I know that I can get their wickets. Then with a subtle change in direction either he is standing right in front of the stumps or has completely missed the in coming ball. I remember Chris Gayle who scored a triple century in Galle used to fall for my ploys very regularly.” Then Vaas said that Lasith Malinga could be described as the only international class bowler since the departure of Murali and he, but asked, “How long is he going survive with his action? Playing five-day cricket is not easy. Your fitness levels have to be at the peak. Playing Malinga in both Test and the shorter forms of the game will be a huge ask for Sri Lanka cricket. At this juncture, the World Cup is around the bend – then are we going to risk Malinga in Test Cricket?” When asked what he thinks of the rung of fast bowlers on the periphery and how they are going to fit into the equation Vaas lamented, “Yes, we have a battery of fast bowlers on the wing, but I am rather concerned about their training schedule. For the past two months we have had no cricket. I feel that is the time that they have to do the gym work, start shaping into their physical peak by swimming, running etc. But, I see them at the nets in the morning, noon and afternoon. When they start bowling with this regularity they are not going to be physically fit. When they have an off season what they have to do is build themselves up and be ready for the next season. “They must start bowling with about three weeks to go for the next tournament. Then the building up they have during the off season will help them to be at their peak and be injury free. But what happens here is when it comes to a match, after all that bowling at the nets, the bowler falls victim to injury the moment they stretch a little too much. I see even the bowlers in the national pool going through the same regime and at times working like net bowlers.” Talking about his own fitness level, Vaas said that he missed the sixth Test that he was scheduled to play through an injury, but thereafter for nearly fifteen years of international cricket, he never missed a match through injury. Vaas is of the view that one cannot change bowlers and bowling actions when they are already in the top hub of cricket. He says that cricketers play cricket from under 13 level and there, at that time, they should mould their action. Then it is up to the coaches to let them develop as they are and only hone their wicket taking skills. But, he says most fast bowlers change to the short-lever of delivery through which they can generate more pace, but he thinks this is a waste of time. “It is not exactly pace that brings you wickets, it is the skill that you posses to out-manoeuvre the batsman. Pace is only an added advantage. If you put all your concentration on it you may lose direction. Once again the coaches can tell you, but it is you who finally perform in the middle.” At this juncture we popped the question if Sri Lanka could maintain this momentum in world cricket, where they are perched third in the Test rankings and the second in the ODI rankings. Vaas said, “Since we won the World Cup in 1996 our cricket has been on an upward trend. Somehow we must find ways of maintaining this momentum. The cricketers alone may not be able to do it. The whole cricketing machine will have to shoulder the task and see to it that round plugs are put in round holes.” Courtesy of http://www.sundaytimes.lk

Sri Lanka's Malinga won't face Windies

 

 

Sri Lanka's cricket selectors on Wednesday left out fast bowler Lasith Malinga for next week's opening Test against the West Indies in Galle.
Malinga, who played in Sri Lanka's last Test against India at home in August, has taken 101 wickets in 30 Tests.
The hosts named three spinners -- Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv, and Rangana Herath -- in a 16-man squad for the first Test starting on November 15.
The West Indies will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match on the tour.

From http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh wary of Afghanistan

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are braced for an emotion-fuelled gold medal assault by Afghanistan as the Asian Games men's cricket tournament starts on Sunday.
In the absence of India, who controversially refused to send a team to Guangzhou, the established Asian trio would normally be certainties to flesh out the medals podium.
But Afghanistan, who have never won an Asian Games gold in any event, see this tournament as their breakthrough moment, a belief fired by their remarkable climb up through the global cricket rankings. That has seen them make the World Twenty20 finals and just miss qualifying for the 2011 World Cup at their first attempt.
A sense of burning injustice also drives Afghanistan with the Asian Games the first tournament to be held since the International Cricket Council decided that the 2015 World Cup will be cut to 10 teams. 


From Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh wary of Afghanistan

It wasn’t the ideal start!

The first test match against the West Indies is now history. At the beginning of the series I wondered whether the final outcome of the game would have been contemplated by the most ardent of West Indian supporters. The reason being very simple, it was one of the weakest sides to leave the Caribbean shores and they were up against the Lankans, one of the top teams in the world.
Take Gayle, Chanderpaul and the Captain Sammy out of the equation and we would have a team of players as green in experience as is possibly imaginable. I felt a draw for them against the strong Lankan line up at the latter’s own back yard is akin to a win, whilst a draw which saw Sri Lanka following on, more or less amounts to humiliation for the local lads. I am sure there will be plenty of arguments about the rain and time lost and the possibility of a fight back and having the West Indies under pressure on the last day. Let’s not forget this is only in theory. It has to be done in reality and unless you grab your chances upfront you will have no control of what transpires as the game unfolds. This was the case in point for the Sri Lanka team at Galle.
The Sri Lankan team on display was the ideal unit for the ‘win the toss bat first’ situation. But did we consider a ‘loss at the toss and field first’ scenario? Were we too complacent against a modest looking Caribbean line up? These are questions that will receive due consideration before the next test. For starters how the Lankan selectors left out Rangana Herath, the left arm spinner, considering his past record at Galle is a mystery. Here was a spinner who bowled Sri Lanka to victory in 2009 against Pakistan in the first test when all appeared to have been lost and he would have surely brought more variety to the attack.
I am not suggesting in any way that Mendis and Randiv should have been left out either. Mendis in particular answered his critics in style on day two when he came into his own with a wide array of deliveries with the one which scalped the captain being the best. The hat-trick was averted only because the delivery did too much and not because of any skill on the part of Russell. And most importantly the confidence seems to be back for Mendis. This was evident in the manner he ran in and conducted himself with the ball, which is wonderful news for a team looking for a wicket taking option.

Suraj Randiv celebrates after dismissing Shivnarine Chanderpaul (unseen) during the second day of the first Test match between Sri Lanka and West Indies at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on November 16, 2010. -AFP

As for Randiv I thought he bowled with good control and aggression but was never allowed to settle down by the experienced Gayle. It took me back to the times of the battle between the West Indies and England in the decade of the eighties, where Embury the off spinner being England’s best spinner and the threat as far as the West Indies were concerned then, gets attacked from ball one, with the intention of nullifying his effect. Whilst Randiv is yet to come in to the league of Embury I am sure the West Indian batsmen were bound to consider him and of course Mendis as the threats and didn’t want them in any way to have any control of issues and hence the attacking nature whenever there was an inch available against them.
Thus my thinking is that Sri Lanka should have played three spinners on the Galle strip due to its spin friendly nature. Mathews could have bowled a few overs as we did see when he came on very late in the West Indian 1st innings, and in any event all three spinners could handle a newish ball.
The thinking gets prompted by two factors and they are, we will never play to the strength of the West Indies and have grass on the pitch and the second and the unfortunate factor was the manner the two seamers bowled. I would have never suggested such an action if Lasith Malinga was an option. But both fast bowlers appeared to lack rhythm on day one and when Prasad appeared to be hitting the deck hard with good aggression on day two, the fact that the catch off Gayle happened to be off a noball was just rubbing salt in to the Lankan’s wound. In the case of Thushara firstly he appeared to be way short of match practice and was not his old self.
Thushara was a bowler who could work up speeds in the region of 135kmp or more but in this game he was way short of that. Also there was no movement for him either! One would remember that Chaminda Vaas in the past too didn’t bowl with great pace but made up for it with seam movement which got him the high percentage of wickets he has. True it will take a long time for Thushara to get closer to Vass, but if there was at least a semblance of seam and swing his lack of pace was sure to be compensated which was sadly not the case in Galle. If the idea was to give the off spinners the rough outside the right handers off stump which would be Thushara’s natural angel, he didn’t justify many overs which caused the ploy to be a non starter.
I am sure this is no danger signal for the Lankans. I would rather say a wakeup call that no team in the world despite one being ranked at number seven could be taken lightly! Sri Lanka should and will win the series against the West Indies! If that’s doesn’t happen it is bound be a surprise. However the issue is, this is a series we could win comprehensively! Sri Lanka are strong and capable enough to have won it three matches to nil and finish things off comfortably without having a fight to save themselves which was the case at Galle. The manner Shillingford troubled the Lankan batsman along with the pressure created by Roach was an obvious factor visible to all.
Galle has always been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka and almost all captains from the past have opted to Galle to start proceedings to gain the upper hand and to nail down the opposition. Not having a win at Galle would naturally create some pressure on the Lankans in view of the R. Premadasa and the new stadium in Pallekelle being unknown. I mean unknown due to the fact that Sri Lanka not playing enough cricket at those venues. Pallekelle is a brand new stadium and the R. Premadasa is a newly laid turf. Whilst it is straight forward that there will be no pace and bounce in those tracks to have Roach and company looking forward to the contest, I am sure knowing and playing on a pitch is a factor, as a player feels comfortable going in to a game if the past record at a ground is good. That is the luxury that the Sri Lankans will not have at these venues.
But the positive news is that the Lankans have the ability to cope with any conditions and they need to do so quickly when the game starts on Tuesday in Colombo. As it was only a show of Gayle and nothing else was seen. The Lankans should be determined not to let Gayle repeat himself. This will give them a chance to work on the rest of the batting.
Roshan Abeysinghe is a leading cricket promoter and an international cricket commentator

Coirtesy of http://www.sundaytimes.lk/

Kulasekara Joins BacK

With the retirement of spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan and the resting of fast bowler Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka team is experimenting with bowlers for the 3-match Test series against West Indies.
After the hard-earned draw in the first Test Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to drop fast bowlers Dammika Prasad and Thilin Thusara and recalled seamer Nuwan Kulasekara and uncapped Shaminda Eranga.
The 16-member squad also includes veteran bowler Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath and another uncapped fast bowler in Tests Suranga Lakmal.
The second Test will begin Tuesday (23) at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka managed to draw the first Test in Galle despite the dominant performance by the West Indies team with Chris Gayle's triple century.
Sri Lanka squad for second Test: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Silva, Shaminda Eranga

Courtesy of  http://www.colombopage.com

Kulasekara Joins BacK

With the retirement of spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan and the resting of fast bowler Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka team is experimenting with bowlers for the 3-match Test series against West Indies.
After the hard-earned draw in the first Test Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to drop fast bowlers Dammika Prasad and Thilin Thusara and recalled seamer Nuwan Kulasekara and uncapped Shaminda Eranga.
The 16-member squad also includes veteran bowler Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath and another uncapped fast bowler in Tests Suranga Lakmal.
The second Test will begin Tuesday (23) at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka managed to draw the first Test in Galle despite the dominant performance by the West Indies team with Chris Gayle's triple century.
Sri Lanka squad for second Test: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Silva, Shaminda Eranga






Courtesy of  http://www.colombopage.com

Vaas concerned about Lanka’s fast bowling

Training regime is not proper

Missed only one match through injury in sixteen years of international cricket

This is the real post Murali-Vaas era in Test cricket for Sri Lanka. In our last outing with Murali, the Lankans convincingly beat the present top dogs in cricket, India, at the same ground that Chris Gayle manhandled the Lankan bowlers. The last game where the Lankans beat the Indians became the last occasion so far that the former, playing on their home soil, managed to bag all twenty of their opponent’s wickets. They did so for the cost of 614 runs. In the very next match the Indians ran amok with a total of 707 runs to draw the test. In the next outing India beat Sri Lanka while only losing fifteen wickets for the cost of 694 runs and in the first innings of the West Indian game the bowling was taken for 580 by a team whose fortunes in Test cricket are presently dwindling. This means that in the four innings that the Lankans have bowled since then they have given away 1981 runs to bag 34 wickets, which works to almost 58.25 runs per wicket. Chaminda Vaas At the initial stages of the West Indian innings, both Chris Gayle and Adrian Barath were struggling, but both Lankan seam bowlers Thilan Thushara and Dhammika Prasad lacked the art of converting batting doubts into wickets, the result was the repetition of what Colombo experienced a few days ago, except that in this case instead of water it was raining fours and sixes. So it was with a tentative and heavy head that I met Murali’s career partner Chaminda Vaas – by far the most successful seam bowler that Sri Lanka has ever produced. Vaas explained how his combination with Murali worked beyond the boundary line. “We understood each other well. I knew my job was to keep one side tight and build up the pressure while at the other end Murali kept sending the batsmen home. Finally we ended up taking more than a thousand wickets for Sri Lanka – Murali 800 and myself finishing up with 350 wickets. Ironically I cannot see that happening now. There is no penetration in our bowling.” Vaas described taking wickets as an art and explained how he became one of the early strikers who regularly bagged a scalp or two within the first five overs. He said, “First comes learning how to land the ball in the right areas and also learning how to outthink the batsman. If they play and miss twice I know that I can get their wickets. Then with a subtle change in direction either he is standing right in front of the stumps or has completely missed the in coming ball. I remember Chris Gayle who scored a triple century in Galle used to fall for my ploys very regularly.” Then Vaas said that Lasith Malinga could be described as the only international class bowler since the departure of Murali and he, but asked, “How long is he going survive with his action? Playing five-day cricket is not easy. Your fitness levels have to be at the peak. Playing Malinga in both Test and the shorter forms of the game will be a huge ask for Sri Lanka cricket. At this juncture, the World Cup is around the bend – then are we going to risk Malinga in Test Cricket?” When asked what he thinks of the rung of fast bowlers on the periphery and how they are going to fit into the equation Vaas lamented, “Yes, we have a battery of fast bowlers on the wing, but I am rather concerned about their training schedule. For the past two months we have had no cricket. I feel that is the time that they have to do the gym work, start shaping into their physical peak by swimming, running etc. But, I see them at the nets in the morning, noon and afternoon. When they start bowling with this regularity they are not going to be physically fit. When they have an off season what they have to do is build themselves up and be ready for the next season. “They must start bowling with about three weeks to go for the next tournament. Then the building up they have during the off season will help them to be at their peak and be injury free. But what happens here is when it comes to a match, after all that bowling at the nets, the bowler falls victim to injury the moment they stretch a little too much. I see even the bowlers in the national pool going through the same regime and at times working like net bowlers.” Talking about his own fitness level, Vaas said that he missed the sixth Test that he was scheduled to play through an injury, but thereafter for nearly fifteen years of international cricket, he never missed a match through injury. Vaas is of the view that one cannot change bowlers and bowling actions when they are already in the top hub of cricket. He says that cricketers play cricket from under 13 level and there, at that time, they should mould their action. Then it is up to the coaches to let them develop as they are and only hone their wicket taking skills. But, he says most fast bowlers change to the short-lever of delivery through which they can generate more pace, but he thinks this is a waste of time. “It is not exactly pace that brings you wickets, it is the skill that you posses to out-manoeuvre the batsman. Pace is only an added advantage. If you put all your concentration on it you may lose direction. Once again the coaches can tell you, but it is you who finally perform in the middle.” At this juncture we popped the question if Sri Lanka could maintain this momentum in world cricket, where they are perched third in the Test rankings and the second in the ODI rankings. Vaas said, “Since we won the World Cup in 1996 our cricket has been on an upward trend. Somehow we must find ways of maintaining this momentum. The cricketers alone may not be able to do it. The whole cricketing machine will have to shoulder the task and see to it that round plugs are put in round holes.” Courtesy of http://www.sundaytimes.lk

West Indies spinner reported for suspect bowling action

DUBAI: West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Saturday.

The 27-year-old bowler Dominican was reported after the first Test against Sri Lanka, which ended in a draw at Galle on Friday.

"The umpires' report has cited concern over the straightening of Shillingford's arm while bowling some deliveries to the degree that may constitute an illegal action," the ICC said in a statement.

"Shillingford's bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process."

Shillingford will have to submit to an independent analysis of his bowling action by a member of the ICC panel of human movement specialists within 21 days.

Any adverse finding would invite suspension from international cricket until he fixes the problem. He can, however, continue playing until then. 

Match drawn. Man of the match: CH Gayle

West Indies 580/9d

Sri Lanka 378 & 241/4 (81.2 ov)

• AD Mathews 5* (10)

• TT Samaraweera 19* (41)
• DJ Bravo 12.2-1-40-0
• BP Nash 5-0-21-1

Mahela, though, who had been tormented by Shillingford through the Test, began to play him with more assurance, twice punching him past point off the back foot, and finding singles and twos in the vacant outfield as Sammy pushed for wickets with men around the bat.

Mahela progressed to his second half-century of the match with a straight six off part-timer Brendan Nash, but fell to him two overs later, tamely chipping back to the bowler when he had looked good for a long innings.

Thilan Samaraweera struck three fours in his 19 and was looking good in the company of Angelo Mathews before rain intervened once again, forcing the teams off the field and shutting the door on a riveting Test match.

It was not always such smooth sailing for Sri Lanka on the final day, though. An electric spell from Roach in the morning had blasted out Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara. 

Sanga: "Tough match, our attitude in the first couple of hours wasn't up to the mark and Chris Gayle took advantage. (About the tail end contributions) One of the great joys of playing for SL is the way everyone chips in. We got to admit, we were pretty much outplayed. There could have had a result if not for the rain (yesterday and today). Credit to the West Indies. Not heard much about the new ground at RPS. We will leave that to the groundsmen, and look forward to see what's there."

Umpire Kettleborough gets an award for a fine Test debut. Applause all around and well deserved. 

Sammy: "We came into the match well prepared, despite being short of practice. The oppotunities we got, we made the best of it all and it showed in the way we performed. Good to see that we dictated the game through out. Plans were clear, execution was good to see. I must commend Chris (Gayle) for the way he set it up. The way Shane Shillingford came and bowled.. I know the guy, he loves to bowl and never drops the ball. That's the kind of passion I wanted. There is always room for improvement. Players have been supportive, hopefully we can achieve big things. This match has shown we can compete and we can put ourselves in winning positions. This is over, we now start a whole new Test and we need to keep moving as a team."  

Man of the match is Chris Gayle. HUGE smile on his face. "It's good to be in the same class as the great players (who hit 2 300s). I hope I can continue the form in the second Test and take it from there. I have to commend young Barath for the part he played. Young Darren Bravo too, Nash chipped in with a half century, it was fantastic. Barath is a promisingplayer, hope for more from him. Conditions will be different in the second Test, we will be prepared for it. My injury is pretty much ok. I batted for long, got cramps and some injury, but I'll be back strong." 

Partnerships - Sri Lanka 2nd innings

Wkt	Runs	Overs	RR		Player	Player	Start	End
1st	102	26.5	3.80		TM Dilshan (54)	NT Paranavitana (47)	-	1/102 (26.5)
2nd	8	2.1	3.69		KC Sangakkara (4)	NT Paranavitana (4)	1/102 (26.5)	2/110 (28.6)
3rd	87	40.1	2.16		NT Paranavitana (44)	DPMD Jayawardene (39)	2/110 (28.6)	3/197 (69.1)
4th	36	9.3	3.78		DPMD Jayawardene (19)	TT Samaraweera (17)	3/197 (69.1)	4/233 (78.4)
5th	8*	2.4	3.00		TT Samaraweera (2)	AD Mathews (5)	4/233 (78.4)	4/241 (81.2)

Highest partnerships in the match

Inns	Wkt	Runs	Overs	RR		Player	Player	Start	End
1	2nd	196	48.1	4.06		DM Bravo (58)	CH Gayle (132)	1/110 (24.5)	2/306 (72.6)
1	4th	167	49.4	3.36		BP Nash (64)	CH Gayle (95)	3/392 (104.5)	4/559 (154.3)
1	1st	110	24.5	4.42		AB Barath (50)	CH Gayle (53)	-	1/110 (24.5)
3	1st	102	26.5	3.80		TM Dilshan (54)	NT Paranavitana (47)	-	1/102 (26.5)
3	3rd	87	40.1	2.16		NT Paranavitana (44)	DPMD Jayawardene (39)	2/110 (28.6)	3/197 (69.1)
1	3rd	86	31.5	2.70		S Chanderpaul (32)	CH Gayle (51)	2/306 (72.6)	3/392 (104.5)
2	8th	72	12.1	5.91		KTGD Prasad (47)	HAPW Jayawardene (17)	7/295 (79.5)	8/367 (91.6)
2	3rd	71	20.0	3.55		KC Sangakkara (34)	DPMD Jayawardene (29)	2/61 (14.6)	3/132 (34.6)
2	4th	61	13.3	4.51		DPMD Jayawardene (30)	TT Samaraweera (30)	3/132 (34.6)	4/193 (48.3)
2	2nd	55	13.4	4.02		NT Paranavitana (10)	KC Sangakkara (39)	1/6 (1.2)	2/61 (14.6)
2	6th	37	13.3	2.74		AD Mathews (15)	HAPW Jayawardene (20)	5/227 (60.2)	6/264 (73.5)
3	4th	36	9.3	3.78		DPMD Jayawardene (19)	TT Samaraweera (17)	3/197 (69.1)	4/233 (78.4)
2	5th	34	11.5	2.87		TT Samaraweera (22)	AD Mathews (12)	4/193 (48.3)	5/227 (60.2)
2	7th	31	6.0	5.16		S Randiv (12)	HAPW Jayawardene (18)	6/264 (73.5)	7/295 (79.5)
1	8th	13	3.4	3.54		AD Russell (2)	CS Baugh (8)	7/566 (158.3)	8/579 (162.1)
3	5th	8*	2.4	3.00		TT Samaraweera (2)	AD Mathews (5)	4/233 (78.4)	4/241 (81.2)
3	2nd	8	2.1	3.69		KC Sangakkara (4)	NT Paranavitana (4)	1/102 (26.5)	2/110 (28.6)
2	9th	7	2.2	3.00		BAW Mendis (4)	HAPW Jayawardene (3)	8/367 (91.6)	9/374 (94.2)
2	1st	6	1.2	4.50		TM Dilshan (0)	NT Paranavitana (0)	-	1/6 (1.2)
1	5th	6	2.3	2.40		DJ Bravo (5)	CH Gayle (1)	4/559 (154.3)	5/565 (156.6)
2	10th	4	1.0	4.00		HAPW Jayawardene (0)	T Thushara (4)	9/374 (94.2)	10/378 (95.2)
1	9th	1	1.1	0.85		S Shillingford (1)	CS Baugh (0)	8/579 (162.1)	9/580 (163.2)
1	6th	1	1.2	0.75		CH Gayle (1)	CS Baugh (0)	5/565 (156.6)	6/566 (158.2)
1	7th	0	0.1	0.00		DJG Sammy (0)	CS Baugh (0)	6/566 (158.2)	7/566 (158.3)

Read more at: http://cricket.ndtv.com/storypage.aspx?id=SPOEN20100160596&nid=67397&cp

Cricket-Sri Lanka (378 &) 241-4 v West Indies (580-9d) - tea

Sri Lanka were 241 for four wickets at tea on the fifth and final day of the first test against West Indies on Friday.
Scores: West Indies 580-9 dec v Sri Lanka 378 and 241-4 (T. Paranavitana 95, T. Dilshan 54, M. Jayawardene 58)

Tea - Day 5
Sri Lanka 241/4 (81.2 ov)
Thilan Samaraweera 19*
Sri Lanka lead by 39 runs with 6 wickets remaining

West Indies 580/9d

Sri Lanka 378 & 131/2 (37.2 ov)

Sri Lanka trail by 71 runs with 8 wickets remaining

Day 5 - Session 1

• West Indies in Sri Lanka Test Series - 1st Test
• Played at Galle International Stadium
• 15,16,17,18,19 November 2010 (5-day match)

	West Indies 1st innings		R	M	B	4s	6s	SR
	CH Gayle	b Mendis	333	665	437	34	9	76.20
	158.2 95.0 kph, bowled 'em! the flat and quick one on the stumps gets him, he was a little late on it, and it rushed through the gap between bat and pad to crash into middle stump, the Lankans shake hands with Chris as he walks back to the pavilion, end of a superb innings, he falls one short of the Don 566/6
	AB Barath	c DPMD Jayawardene b Randiv	50	115	86	8	0	58.13
	24.5 85.7 kph, Randiv strikes! it was the straight through, and kicked from a length on off stump, Barath was squared up, fended at it and Mahela doesn't miss many catches at slip, beautifully bowled and well taken 110/1
	DM Bravo	c Samaraweera b Mendis	58	187	159	6	0	36.47
	72.6 81.3 kph, Darren has thrown it away here! it was short outside leg stump, was the googly again, he went for the pull, got a top edge which went miles in the sky and Samaraweera at deep square leg boundary takes the catch, end of a fine innings on debut, maybe that earlier legbreak played on his mind 306/2
	S Chanderpaul	c DPMD Jayawardene b Randiv	32	131	104	3	0	30.76
	104.5 84.2 kph, got him! he has looked like the bowler who could have made the breakthrough, and he gets Chanders, it was bowled a bit flatter outside off, went straight on, was too close for the cut and bounced high too, Chanders went for it anyway, it flew to the black hole called Mahela at slip, from whom nothing escapes, not even the cricket ball, and Sri Lanka have their first wicket of the second day 392/3
	BP Nash	lbw b Mendis	64	208	159	5	0	40.25
	154.3 96.7 kph, gets him this time! it pitched on middle and straightened, caught him right in front of the stumps as he pushed half-forward, and he's a goner, it was that flat and quick delivery that Ajantha bowls 559/4
	DJ Bravo	lbw b Mendis	5	12	10	1	0	50.00
	156.6 80.9 kph, the googly gets him! he was not picking it at all, again came forward and pushed outside the line, it turned in to hit him on the pad, the umpire raises his finger after some consideration, they go straightaway for the review, replays show it just about hitting leg stump, it's the on-field umpire's call, the original decision stands, and Dwayne walks back 565/5
	CS Baugh†	not out	8	38	23	1	0	34.78
	DJG Sammy*	b Mendis	0	1	1	0	0	0.00
	158.3 77.9 kph, Ajantha is on a hat trick, gets the West Indies captain first ball! it was tossed up outside off, he was lured into the drive, it broke back sharply to crash into the off stump, Mendis roars, Sammy takes the long walk back 566/7
	AD Russell	b Mendis	2	22	9	0	0	22.22
	162.1 82.0 kph, and another one falls! he looked to heave this tossed up googly over midwicket, missed it completely, and heard the death rattle as it turned in to hit the stumps, sixth one for Ajantha 579/8
	S Shillingford	st †HAPW Jayawardene b Randiv	1	5	4	0	0	25.00
	163.2 82.5 kph, Calypso collapso continues! it was teasingly flighted outside off, he came down the track and had an almighty heave-ho, it went on straight past the bat, and Prasanna did not have to do much. West Indies declare after losing their last six wickets for 21 runs 580/9
	Extras	(b 2, lb 6, w 7, nb 12)	27
	Total	(9 wickets dec; 163.2 overs; 656 mins)	580	(3.55 runs per over)

Did not bat KAJ Roach

Fall of wickets1-110 (Barath, 24.5 ov), 2-306 (DM Bravo, 72.6 ov), 3-392 (Chanderpaul, 104.5 ov), 4-559 (Nash, 154.3 ov), 5-565 (DJ Bravo, 156.6 ov), 6-566 (Gayle, 158.2 ov), 7-566 (Sammy, 158.3 ov), 8-579 (Russell, 162.1 ov), 9-580 (Shillingford, 163.2 ov)

	Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
	T Thushara	21	4	79	0	3.76	(4w)
	KTGD Prasad	30	3	116	0	3.86	(9nb, 2w)
	BAW Mendis	59	6	169	6	2.86	(3nb)
	72.6 to DM Bravo, 81.3 kph, Darren has thrown it away here! it was short outside leg stump, was the googly again, he went for the pull, got a top edge which went miles in the sky and Samaraweera at deep square leg boundary takes the catch, end of a fine innings on debut, maybe that earlier legbreak played on his mind 306/2 154.3 to Nash, 96.7 kph, gets him this time! it pitched on middle and straightened, caught him right in front of the stumps as he pushed half-forward, and he's a goner, it was that flat and quick delivery that Ajantha bowls 559/4 156.6 to DJ Bravo, 80.9 kph, the googly gets him! he was not picking it at all, again came forward and pushed outside the line, it turned in to hit him on the pad, the umpire raises his finger after some consideration, they go straightaway for the review, replays show it just about hitting leg stump, it's the on-field umpire's call, the original decision stands, and Dwayne walks back 565/5 158.2 to Gayle, 95.0 kph, bowled 'em! the flat and quick one on the stumps gets him, he was a little late on it, and it rushed through the gap between bat and pad to crash into middle stump, the Lankans shake hands with Chris as he walks back to the pavilion, end of a superb innings, he falls one short of the Don 566/6 158.3 to Sammy, 77.9 kph, Ajantha is on a hat trick, gets the West Indies captain first ball! it was tossed up outside off, he was lured into the drive, it broke back sharply to crash into the off stump, Mendis roars, Sammy takes the long walk back 566/7 162.1 to Russell, 82.0 kph, and another one falls! he looked to heave this tossed up googly over midwicket, missed it completely, and heard the death rattle as it turned in to hit the stumps, sixth one for Ajantha 579/8
	S Randiv	48.2	3	183	3	3.78	(1w)
	24.5 to Barath, 85.7 kph, Randiv strikes! it was the straight through, and kicked from a length on off stump, Barath was squared up, fended at it and Mahela doesn't miss many catches at slip, beautifully bowled and well taken 110/1 104.5 to Chanderpaul, 84.2 kph, got him! he has looked like the bowler who could have made the breakthrough, and he gets Chanders, it was bowled a bit flatter outside off, went straight on, was too close for the cut and bounced high too, Chanders went for it anyway, it flew to the black hole called Mahela at slip, from whom nothing escapes, not even the cricket ball, and Sri Lanka have their first wicket of the second day 392/3 163.2 to Shillingford, 82.5 kph, Calypso collapso continues! it was teasingly flighted outside off, he came down the track and had an almighty heave-ho, it went on straight past the bat, and Prasanna did not have to do much. West Indies declare after losing their last six wickets for 21 runs 580/9
	TM Dilshan	3	0	15	0	5.00
	AD Mathews	2	0	10	0	5.00

	Sri Lanka 1st innings		R	M	B	4s	6s	SR
	NT Paranavitana	b Roach	10	64	53	2	0	18.86
	14.6 141.2 kph, cleaned him up! it was quick, on a length and jagged back in after pitching, Para was already committed on the front foot, the inward movement was too much for him, tried to play it belatedly with an angled bat, and it whizzed through the gap between bat and pad to uproot the off stump 61/2
	TM Dilshan	c Shillingford b Russell	0	5	2	0	0	0.00
	1.2 136.1 kph, and Andre gets a wicket with his second ball in Test cricket! it was a length delivery on the leg stump, stopped a bit on Dilshan, he was early on the shot, and it looped up in the air for Shillingford at mid on to take an excellent catch, as he dived forward, big wicket 6/1
	KC Sangakkara*	b DJ Bravo	73	150	102	11	0	71.56
	34.6 130.2 kph, got 'em! Sanga had become used to those balls outside off, Dwayne slipped in the inswinging yorker, got it bang on target, it took him completely my surprise, as he played all around it, and it crashed into the base of the stumps, Dwayne takes off in celebration, Sanga can't believe it 132/3
	DPMD Jayawardene	c †Baugh b Roach	59	149	104	6	0	56.73
	48.3 and gone! West Indies have looked like getting a wicker since play started and have finally broken through here. Roach gets a short ball to land a foot outside off, bounce disconcertingly, and hold its line. Mahela did not pick the angle and steered loosely away from the body. Thin edge and Baugh plucks it. Gone. SL in trouble 193/4
	TT Samaraweera	run out (DJ Bravo)	52	110	74	6	0	70.27
	60.2 DJ Bravo to Mathews, The WORST way to get out. Samaraweera is run out, backing up at the non-striker's end. This is what happened: It was pitched well up on off stump and Mathews drives it stylishly and dead straight. Bravo, being the athlete he is, stuck a boot out on his follow through and managed to touch the ball. It was the perfect touch - the ball did not change its path and headed straight towards the stumps at the bowlers end. Samaraweera was a couple of feet or so out and looked on in shock. In one painful moment, shock gave way to resignation. He tucked the bat under his arm, removed his gloves and walked away. 227/5
	AD Mathews	c Sammy b Shillingford	27	113	78	2	0	34.61
	73.5 the change has worked! West Indies go into lunch with their tails up, Mathews is gone. Shillingford gets his wicket in a manner that I suspect he will take a lot of wickets over his career. Lands it on middle and off, back of a length as Mathews comes forward before pressing back after noting the length. Here's where things begin to happen. Shillingford's height means he gets it to bounce extra, and it hurries in towards Mathews' leg stump, a line at which he has to play at it. He looks to glance, and gets an inside edge, and this time it pops straight at Sammy standing at leg slip. He pouches it and flashes a big smile. Sri Lanka are in all kinds of trouble. 264/6
	HAPW Jayawardene†	c Roach b Shillingford	58	155	88	4	1	65.90
	95.2 up in the air, this is going to be taken, is it? It is! Prasa has fallen with SL three short of the follow-on mark! They have fallen agonisingly close. It was tossed up on the middle and leg line, Prasa went for the slog sweep, but top edged it. It swirled high into the Galle sky and came down into Roach's lap at deep square leg. Prasa is crest-fallen! 378/10
	S Randiv	b Shillingford	12	25	21	2	0	57.14
	79.5 and he's done him in with a lovely bit of guile. That was the regulation offie, no fancy variation, but the change in angle and the revs on the ball were enough to sneak through Randiv's tentative prod, find its way through the bat-pad gap and hit the off stump. Another one bites the dust. 295/7
	KTGD Prasad	c Russell b Shillingford	47	51	46	6	2	102.17
	91.6 what a moment to get the wicket! Dammika's buccaneering sortie has come to an end. Skips out to a tossed up delivery and gets under it, but cannot get the distance he was looking for. Holes out to Russell in the deep. Is there another twist coming up? 367/8
	BAW Mendis	c DM Bravo b Roach	4	10	9	0	0	44.44
	94.2 gone! Would you believe it! This is going down to the wire. Mendis is foxed into driving early as Roach sends down a loopy tempter of a slower ball wide and full outside off. Mendis walks into the trap and scoops it into Darren Bravo's hands at backward point. 374/9
	T Thushara	not out	4	6	4	1	0	100.00
	Extras	(b 8, lb 8, w 3, nb 13)	32
	Total	(all out; 95.2 overs; 387 mins)	378	(3.96 runs per over)

Fall of wickets1-6 (Dilshan, 1.2 ov), 2-61 (Paranavitana, 14.6 ov), 3-132 (Sangakkara, 34.6 ov), 4-193 (DPMD Jayawardene, 48.3 ov), 5-227 (Samaraweera, 60.2 ov), 6-264 (Mathews, 73.5 ov), 7-295 (Randiv, 79.5 ov), 8-367 (Prasad, 91.6 ov), 9-374 (Mendis, 94.2 ov), 10-378 (HAPW Jayawardene, 95.2 ov)

	Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
	KAJ Roach	19	2	75	3	3.94	(3nb)
	14.6 to Paranavitana, 141.2 kph, cleaned him up! it was quick, on a length and jagged back in after pitching, Para was already committed on the front foot, the inward movement was too much for him, tried to play it belatedly with an angled bat, and it whizzed through the gap between bat and pad to uproot the off stump 61/2 48.3 to DPMD Jayawardene, and gone! West Indies have looked like getting a wicker since play started and have finally broken through here. Roach gets a short ball to land a foot outside off, bounce disconcertingly, and hold its line. Mahela did not pick the angle and steered loosely away from the body. Thin edge and Baugh plucks it. Gone. SL in trouble 193/4 94.2 to Mendis, gone! Would you believe it! This is going down to the wire. Mendis is foxed into driving early as Roach sends down a loopy tempter of a slower ball wide and full outside off. Mendis walks into the trap and scoops it into Darren Bravo's hands at backward point. 374/9
	AD Russell	15	1	73	1	4.86	(5nb, 3w)
	1.2 to Dilshan, 136.1 kph, and Andre gets a wicket with his second ball in Test cricket! it was a length delivery on the leg stump, stopped a bit on Dilshan, he was early on the shot, and it looped up in the air for Shillingford at mid on to take an excellent catch, as he dived forward, big wicket 6/1
	S Shillingford	33.2	3	123	4	3.69
	73.5 to Mathews, the change has worked! West Indies go into lunch with their tails up, Mathews is gone. Shillingford gets his wicket in a manner that I suspect he will take a lot of wickets over his career. Lands it on middle and off, back of a length as Mathews comes forward before pressing back after noting the length. Here's where things begin to happen. Shillingford's height means he gets it to bounce extra, and it hurries in towards Mathews' leg stump, a line at which he has to play at it. He looks to glance, and gets an inside edge, and this time it pops straight at Sammy standing at leg slip. He pouches it and flashes a big smile. Sri Lanka are in all kinds of trouble. 264/6 79.5 to Randiv, and he's done him in with a lovely bit of guile. That was the regulation offie, no fancy variation, but the change in angle and the revs on the ball were enough to sneak through Randiv's tentative prod, find its way through the bat-pad gap and hit the off stump. Another one bites the dust. 295/7 91.6 to Prasad, what a moment to get the wicket! Dammika's buccaneering sortie has come to an end. Skips out to a tossed up delivery and gets under it, but cannot get the distance he was looking for. Holes out to Russell in the deep. Is there another twist coming up? 367/8 95.2 to HAPW Jayawardene, up in the air, this is going to be taken, is it? It is! Prasa has fallen with SL three short of the follow-on mark! They have fallen agonisingly close. It was tossed up on the middle and leg line, Prasa went for the slog sweep, but top edged it. It swirled high into the Galle sky and came down into Roach's lap at deep square leg. Prasa is crest-fallen! 378/10
	DJG Sammy	11	2	41	0	3.72
	DJ Bravo	16	4	47	1	2.93	(1nb)
	34.6 to Sangakkara, 130.2 kph, got 'em! Sanga had become used to those balls outside off, Dwayne slipped in the inswinging yorker, got it bang on target, it took him completely my surprise, as he played all around it, and it crashed into the base of the stumps, Dwayne takes off in celebration, Sanga can't believe it 132/3
	CH Gayle	1	0	3	0	3.00

	Sri Lanka 2nd innings (following on)		R	B	4s	6s	SR
	NT Paranavitana	not out	67	119	6	0	56.30
	TM Dilshan	b Roach	54	78	5	0	69.23
	26.5 Yorker! Roach has blown Dilshan away with a Waqareque piece of brilliance here. No movement, no nothing, just raw pace, that landed just in front of the crease in line with off stump and then bombarded it out of its nest as Dilshan tried, belatedly, to keep it out. He didn't have a chance. He's been blown away. West Indies have broken through 102/1
	KC Sangakkara*	c Sammy b Roach	4	7	1	0	57.14
	28.6 the drop hasn't cost West Indies much. Roach is in the middle of a crucial spell and he's accounted for Sanga here. Fatal flash from Sanga to a ball that was angling away from off stump line. He did not have to play it, and ended flashing at it away from the body. Thick outside edge, flies away high to Sammy at a widish fly slip, he juggles but holds on 110/2
	DPMD Jayawardene	not out	5	20	0	0	25.00
	Extras	(w 1)	1
	Total	(2 wickets; 37.2 overs)	131	(3.50 runs per over)

To bat TT Samaraweera, HAPW Jayawardene†, AD Mathews, S Randiv, KTGD Prasad, BAW Mendis, T Thushara

Fall of wickets1-102 (Dilshan, 26.5 ov), 2-110 (Sangakkara, 28.6 ov)

	Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
	KAJ Roach	14	3	40	2	2.85
	26.5 to Dilshan, Yorker! Roach has blown Dilshan away with a Waqareque piece of brilliance here. No movement, no nothing, just raw pace, that landed just in front of the crease in line with off stump and then bombarded it out of its nest as Dilshan tried, belatedly, to keep it out. He didn't have a chance. He's been blown away. West Indies have broken through 102/1 28.6 to Sangakkara, the drop hasn't cost West Indies much. Roach is in the middle of a crucial spell and he's accounted for Sanga here. Fatal flash from Sanga to a ball that was angling away from off stump line. He did not have to play it, and ended flashing at it away from the body. Thick outside edge, flies away high to Sammy at a widish fly slip, he juggles but holds on 110/2
	AD Russell	2	0	17	0	8.50	(1w)
	DJ Bravo	7	0	30	0	4.28
	S Shillingford	12.2	0	40	0	3.24
	DJG Sammy	2	0	4	0	2.00

Match details
Toss West Indies, who chose to bat
Test debuts DM Bravo and AD Russell (West Indies) Player of the match tba
Umpires SJ Davis (Australia) and RA Kettleborough (England) TV umpire Asad Rauf (Pakistan) Match referee AG Hurst (Australia) Reserve umpire TH Wijewardene