Cricket: Simmons smites Sri Lanka

(First Edition)

LEICESTERSHIRE'S new overseas signing, Phil Simmons, helped a theoretically under-strength West Indian side outrun and outfox Sri Lanka in Sharjah yesterday as they wound up the round-robin section of the Champions' Trophy with an eight-wicket waltz.

With the West Indies already assured of a place in the final against Pakistan, Richie Richardson and Curtly Ambrose were both rested, but the manner of victory was no less emphatic for that. The highest stand in the Sri Lankan innings of 182 for 9 was a 36-run fifth-wicket liaison between Hashan Tillekeratne and Arjuna Ranatunga.

Desmond Haynes failed to bother the scorers but Simmons, his opening partner, atoned, adding 86 with Brian Lara (42) for the second wicket and an undefeated 95 with Carl Hooper for the third. In all, Simmons struck 90 not out from 109 balls to bring victory with 11.2 overs to spare.