|
Bermuda easy meat for Lankan lions
Debutants Bermuda provided Sri Lanka good match practice to face the ignominy of a 243-run loss in their first World Cup appearance. Chasing a mammoth 322 for victory, Bermuda were bundled out for a mere 78 runs in 25 overs in the first Group B encounter.
Three brilliant half-centuries from the Sri Lankan stable ensured that the one-time World Cup winners started their 2007 World Cup campaign on a high note. In fact, this win margin is the third-highest in the history of one-day cricket.
Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka tormented all Bermudan bowlers to race to 321 runs in their 50 overs. The biggest contributions came from skipper Mahela Jayawardene (85), Kumar Sangakkara (76) and Chamara Silva (55 not out), who did not need to display any sensational stroke-making, as there were loose deliveries galore, waiting to be hit all over the ground. For Bermuda, Mukuddem was the most impressive with 2-50 in his quota of ten overs.
When Bermudan players came in to bat, stage fright and haplessness was writ large on their faces. Wickets kept tumbling like a pack of cards, as Sri Lankan bowlers demolished the Bermudan batting line-up. The only worthwhile contribution came from bowler Lionel Cann, who scored a gritty 28 in 32 balls. Farvez Maharoof was the pick of Lankan bowlers, grabbing four wickets for 23 runs in seven overs.
This Bermudan game gave Sri Lanka the much-needed confidence to face tougher opposition like World Cup favorites India.
Brief Score: Sri Lanka 321/6 (Jayawardene 85, Sangakkara 76, Silva 55*) vs. Bermuda 78 (Maharoof 4-23)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 243 runs
Man of the Match: Mahela Jayawardene
For latest updates of Cricket World Cup, check the following links:
Cricket World Cup Team Points
World Cup Match Results
World Cup Highlights
Group B Points
|
