Mahanama sets up Sri Lankan success

Cricket

Roshan Mahanama's fourth century in limited overs internationals helped Sri Lanka to a rare victory over West Indies yesterday.Batting with a runner during the second part of his innings after pulling a leg muscle, Mahanama made 101 of Sri Lanka's 234 for 7 in the opening match of the Champions' Trophy tournament.

West Indies appeared to be on target for their 17th win in 20 one-day matches against Sri Lanka when they reached 192 for 3 from 44 overs, the opener Sherwin Campbell having led the way with 86 - his highest one-day score. But Sanath Jayasuriya, the left-arm spinner, claimed the wickets of Richie Richardson and Roger Harper in the 45th over to tilt the match in Sri Lanka's favour. West Indies finished on 228 for 9 from their 50 overs.

Richardson, who hit three fours and two sixes in his 67, admitted afterwards that his side had been outplayed in every department. "The better team won on the day," he said. "It is as simple as that."

The run-out of Brian Lara for 19 at the bowler's end was crucial to Sri Lanka's success. Andy Roberts, the West Indies manager, thought Jayasuriya dropped the ball before removing the bails, but Lara was given out by the third umpire, Nigel Plews, after he had taken some time to study television replays.

Sri Lanka's innings was built around a fourth-wicket stand of 126 in 116 balls between Mahanama and Arjuna Ranatunga, who made 58. Mahanama's 101 from 152 balls was his first one-day century against West Indies.

(West Indies won toss)

SRI LANKA

R Mahanama c Simmons b Bishop 101

S Jayasuriya c Simmons b Bishop 1

A Gurusinha c Harper b Simmons 18

A de Silva c Simmons b Chanderpaul 9

*A Ranatunga c Browne b Gibson 58

R Kaluwitharna run out 11

H Tillekeratne c Simmons b Bishop 7

R Kalpage not out 1

K Dharmasena not out 1

Extras (lb7 w20) 27

Total (for 7, 50 overs) 234

Did not bat: M Murlitharan, P Wickremasinghe

Fall: 1-8 2-59 3-84 4-210 5-222 6-228 7-232.

Bowling: Bishop 10-1-42-3; Gibson 10-1-40-1; Anthony 8-0-49-0; Simmons 8-1-29-1; Harper 10-0-49-0; Chanderpaul 4-0-18-1.

WEST INDIES

P Simmons c de Silva b Wickremasinghe 5

S Campbell c Dharmasena b Murlitharan 86

B Lara run out 19

*R Richardson c Kaluwitharna b Jayasuriya 67

R Holder not out 26

R Harper c and b Jayasuriya 1

S Chanderpaul c de Silva b Dharmasena 11

O Gibson lbw b Dharmasena 0

H Anthony c Murlitharan b de Silva 2

C Browne st Kaluwitharna b Dharmasena 2

I Bishop not out 1

Extras (lb6 w1 nb1) 8

Total (for 9, 50 overs) 228

Fall: 1-13 2-69 3-165 4-192 5-194 6-211 7-211 8-218 9-226.

Bowling: Wickramasinghe 7-0-27-1; de Silva 10-0-38-1; Dharmasena 9-0- 49-3; Murlitharan 10-1-35-1; Jayasuriya 10-0-48-2; Kalpage 40-25-0.