Mahela Jaywardene’s comprehensive victory gave Sri Lanka a 57-run win over the West Indies in the Super Eights match on Friday.

Scores

Sri Lanka: 195/3 (20.0)

West Indies: 138/8 (20.0)

Man of the Match: Mahela Jayawardene

Jayewardene gave an impressive innings with an unbeaten 98 off 56 balls that include 9 four and 4 sixes that cover up overall scores 195-3 off 20 overs, the highest in the tournament. Whereas, West Indies fall short as they managed to secure only 138-8 off 20 overs.

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangarkara – the duo’s partnership gave a brilliant score for sri lanka as captain Kumar Sangakkara, start off well and produce 68 off 49 deliveries which includes 5 fours and 3 sixes.

However, spinner Ajantha Mendis claimed 3-24 while pace ace Lasith Malinga snatched 3-28.

West Indies could not manage to stay on board as with Lankan’s player set the stage on fire with an impressive fielding and amazing scores. Though, Sangakkara was let off early by Captain Chris Gayle at slip and also had a let-off when Kieron Pollard floored a difficult return catch. Jayewardene, after producing 50 off 29, had a reprieve on 66 when a top-edged skier landed safely in between wicketkeeper Andre Fletcher and Wavell Hinds.

Bothe team, will soon meet on the same ground on Sunday – West Indies will have to  face India on whereas Sri Lanka will play with Australia on the same date.

Comments:

“Batting up the order suits my game, it’s always a challenge for me to be a better cricketer. Probably I took a bit of time to get used to the pace and bounce but once the ball gets older it comes on nicely. The trick is to bat through the innings if we get off to a start.” Says Jayawardene

“Mahela batted brilliantly again, his form has been crucial and the rest of the guys batted around him to get to a good total. It was fun batting with him and giving him the strike to watch him hit those boundaries. Mathews and Kapugedera have been in good form, just that they haven’t got the chances, even Dilshan has been hitting the ball well so it’s a positive for us.” Says Sangakkara

“We had our chances but we didn’t hold onto them. I thought 195 would have been difficult to chase. We are in a must win situation so we have to pick ourselves. Can’t really say why we dropped the catches, but we definitely have a lot of work to do. We have the right combination, just a matter of executing the plans. Sanga and Jayawardene played exceptionally well today.” Says Gayle

Teams

West Indies  - CH Gayle*, ADS Fletcher†, S Chanderpaul, RR Sarwan, WW Hinds, DJ Bravo, KA Pollard, DJG Sammy, SJ Benn, R Rampaul, JE Taylor.

Sri Lanka  - M Muralitharan, DPMD Jayawardene, KC Sangakkara*†, CK Kapugedera, AD Mathews, ST Jayasuriya, NLTC Perera, S Randiv, SL Malinga, BAW Mendis, KMDN Kulasekara.