Sri Lanka thrash Windies as hosts wilt under pressure
The hosts now face the risk of being out of ICC Cricket World Cup after they lost to Sri Lanka by 113 runs. This Super Eights match could well prove to be fatal blow to the West Indies hopes for cruising to next round of this prestigious tournament.
Sanath Jayasuriya's played the lead role of taking the Lankan lions towards an emphatic win as he scored a massive score of 115 runs in just 101 balls. After a cautious start the ace batsman cut lose to contribute to 183 runs for the third wicket partnership with Mahela Jayawardene.
Humidity took its toll on Jayasuriya as he was bowled in the 30th over. But the fireworks continued as the Sri Lankan captain scored cracking 82 runs. And a mammoth total of 303 was put up on the board to the Windies to chase.
The West Indies team never really seemed to get the hold of the inning as the broken team lost three early wickets in just 11 overs these wickets were of star batsmen Bravo, Chris Gayle and Brian Lara. With high total to chase and three wickets down the hosts wilted under pressure.
After West Indies skipper returned to pavilion the innings was on the shoulders of Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan. Chanderpaul's effort of hitting five sixes was too little too late. The frowned faces and shrugged shoulders said it all when the hosts had to score 205 runs in 20 overs.
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