In a contest brimming with drama, resilience, and moments of brilliance, Sri Lanka edged out the West Indies by six runs in a heart-stopping World Cup encounter at Newlands. This victory, a testament to their grit and composure, brought Sri Lanka closer to the Super Sixes while leaving the West Indies teetering on the brink of elimination.
The match was a study in contrasts: Sri Lanka’s uncharacteristically restrained batting performance was juxtaposed against the West Indies’ pulsating late charge, led by the indomitable Ramnaresh Sarwan. Ultimately, the clinical precision of Chaminda Vaas and the guile of Muttiah Muralitharan proved decisive in a game that oscillated between dominance and despair.
Sri Lanka’s Labored Start
Winning his fifth consecutive toss, Sanath Jayasuriya opted to bat first on a dry Newlands pitch. However, what followed was a subdued display by Sri Lanka’s top order. Jayasuriya, known for his explosive starts, curbed his natural instincts to anchor the innings with a restrained 66 off 99 balls. His innings, though vital, was marked by uncharacteristic caution, yielding just four boundaries.
Hashan Tillakaratne, partnering Jayasuriya in an 85-run stand, mirrored this conservatism, crawling to 36 off 68 balls before falling to Wavell Hinds. The early run-out of Marvan Atapattu and a mid-innings collapse, where Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 43 runs, further dampened their momentum.
Aravinda de Silva, looking fluent with the bat, was run out in a mix-up with Jayasuriya, a moment emblematic of Sri Lanka’s nervy approach. Mahela Jayawardene’s struggles continued as he perished for just nine, his World Cup form a growing concern.
It was left to Russel Arnold and the lower middle order to inject some life into the innings. Arnold’s partnerships with Kumar Sangakkara (24) and Chaminda Vaas (28*) added crucial runs, lifting Sri Lanka to a defendable 228. The innings, though unspectacular, laid the foundation for their bowlers to take center stage.
Vaas and Muralitharan: The Architects of Victory
Chaminda Vaas, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, delivered a masterclass in seam bowling. His opening spell was a clinic in control and deception, dismissing Wavell Hinds and the dangerous Brian Lara. Later, his reverse-swinging deliveries dismantled Chris Gayle (55) and Ridley Jacobs, leaving the West Indies reeling.
Muttiah Muralitharan, spinning webs on a dry surface, was equally influential. His delivery to bowl Ricardo Powell—a vicious off-break that turned sharply past the bat—was a moment of pure artistry. The off-spinner’s penultimate over, conceding just two runs, was a game-defining passage of play, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure.
The Sarwan Surge
The West Indies’ chase seemed doomed after a mid-innings collapse saw them lose three wickets for one run, reducing them to 122 for six. Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s dogged 51 kept their hopes alive, but it was Ramnaresh Sarwan’s heroic effort that truly reignited the contest.
Returning to the crease after being struck on the head earlier, Sarwan played with courage and flair, smashing 47 off 44 balls. His audacious strokeplay, including a flat six over long-off and a series of crisp drives, brought the West Indies within touching distance of an improbable victory.
With 16 needed off the final two overs, the tension was palpable. Muralitharan’s miserly penultimate over left 14 to get off the last six balls. Pulasthi Gunaratne, entrusted with the final over, held his nerve. Despite conceding an early boundary, he restricted Sarwan and the tailenders, sealing a memorable win for Sri Lanka.
A Game of Fine Margins
This match was a vivid reminder of cricket’s fine margins. The West Indies’ chase was derailed by a combination of poor shot selection, Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling, and moments of brilliance in the field. Sarwan’s valiant effort deserved a better outcome, but the lack of support from his teammates proved costly.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, showcased their ability to defend modest totals. Vaas and Muralitharan were the linchpins, ably supported by Jayasuriya’s leadership and tactical acumen. The victory, though hard-fought, highlighted areas for improvement in their batting, particularly the need for greater intent in the middle overs.
The Road Ahead
With this win, Sri Lanka topped Pool B with 16 points but still needed to overcome South Africa in their final group game to secure qualification. For the West Indies, their fate now hinged on an unlikely sequence of results, underscoring the precariousness of their campaign.
As the dust settled on this Newlands classic, it was clear that cricket had once again delivered a spectacle of tension, skill, and unpredictability. For Sri Lanka, it was a triumph of resilience; for the West Indies, a tale of what might have been.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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