Sri Lanka start World Cup campaign with a huge win (Second Lead)
By IANSSunday, February 20, 2011
HAMBANTOTA - Sri Lanka, runners-up in 2007, started their World Cup campaign in style with a massive 210-run win over Canada in a Group A match here Sunday.
For the 1996 World Cup champions, it was a nice warm-up at the newly built Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium, ahead of their crucial encounter against Pakistan Feb 26 in Colombo.
Sri Lanka, firm favourites, were ruthless in their approach after they decided to bat first.
Mahela Jayawardene (100) hit the fastest World Cup century by a Sri Lankan and skipper Kumar Sangakkara (92) narrowly missed out on a well-deserved ton as the hosts piled up 332 for seven in 50 overs. Jayawardene was also adjudged as the Man of the Match.
Sri Lankan bowlers were clinical in their approach and skittled out the Canadians for 122 runs in 36.5 overs. Pacers Thisara Perera and Nuwan Kulasekara wrecked the top-order with three wickets each while legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, playing his last tournament, got two.
Rizwan Cheema (37), captain Ashish Bagai (22) and Harvir Baidwan (16 not out) were the only Canadian batsmen, who got to double figures.
Earlier, Canada, who were bowled out for 36 by Sri Lanka in the 2003 edition, did well to keep the openers Tillekaratne Dilshan (50) and Upul Tharanga (19) quiet till the 19th over.
But after their departure, Sangakkara and Jayawardene added 179 for the third wicket. Sangakkara’s 87-ball stay had seven fours and a six while Jayawardene’s century came off 81 balls. Both were dismissed by off-spinner John Davison while medium pacer Baidwan picked up two wickets.
Perera (11) and Chamara Kapugedera (2) departed in quick succession before Angelo Mathews made a quick-fire 21 off 16 balls and Thilan Samaraweera scored 18 off 10.
