Mathews bowls Sri Lanka to 139-run victory over India

COLOMBO - Unheralded Sri Lankan pacer Angelo Mathews handed India their worst defeat in the island nation at the Compaq Cup tri-series, hours after Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team were crowned the No.1 in One-Day International cricket.

Chasing 308, Indian batting folded up for 168 in 37.2 overs to go down by a massive 139 runs. Sri Lanka posted the imposing total courtsey Sanath Jayasuriya (98) and Thilina Kandamby (91 not out).

Man of the Match Mathews triggered the dramatic collapse of Indian batting with a career-best six for 20 that saw the visitors making a mess of the run-chase from 105 for two.

Only Rahul Dravid, making a comeback to one-day international after two years, showed some forbearance to face a sharp Sri Lankan attack, hitting 47 off 56 balls that included three fours and a six.

The rest of the Indian side withered against Mathews’s articulate spell. It was Suresh Raina who opened the young Sri Lankan’s account, stabbing a moving delivery to Kumar Sangakarra behind the stumps, for a duck. Thereafter, Mathews went on to claim five successive wickets, including the wickets of Dravid, Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan in five balls.

The Indians, though, were off to a promising start through Dinesh Karthik (16) and Sachin Tendulkar (27). But Karthik misread a Thilan Thushara delivery to be caught behind in the sixth over. Tendulkar hung on for a while before holing out a catch to Ajantha Mendis at mid-on off Nuwan Kulasekara.

In the inconsequential match ahead of the final between the two teams Monday, Sri Lankan batsmen made the most of lacklustre Indian bowling attack.

The hosts were given a perfect start by Jayasuriya and Dilshan (23) through their 57-run opening stand.

Dilshan began aggressively but edged a catch to Indian captain and wicket-keeper Dhoni off Ishant Sharma in the ninth over.

Jayasuriya punished the Indian bowlers through his 79-ball innings that included 14 fours to return to form.

Sri Lanka suffered some anxious moments when Mahela Jayawardene and Sangakarra went in quick succession but Jayasuriya kept the scoreboard ticking. The left-hander missed a well-deserved century as he departed in the 30th over, trapped leg before by Nehra.

It was then Kandambys turn to take on the Indian attack.

He was well supported by Chamara Kapugedera and the two added 83 in 92 balls before the latter was run out in the 47th over.