The Hindu : Sport : Tharanga, Sangakkara make merry

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Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006
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Tharanga, Sangakkara make merry

G. Viswanath

Ahmedabad: A semblance of a contest was evident in the ICC Champions Trophy qualifier between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe at the Motera here on Tuesday. Prosper Utseya's team struck a few early blows to keep the Sri Lankans in check for a considerable period of time, but eventually the Asian team posted a formidable 285. Two left-handers — the in-form Upul Tharanga and the doughty fighter Kumar Sangakkara — with disparate styles were the architects in building up the substantial total.

Throughout the first two hours of play after Sri Lanka chose to bat, there was not a clue as to which team would gain the upper hand before the remarkable Tharanga and the battle-hardened Sangakkara took the game away from the African side.

Much embarrassed

Much embarrassed after the rout against title-holder West Indies on Sunday, the Zimbabweans pulled up their socks and made the most of the faults of the Sri Lankan top order batsmen. However, a lack of depth in bowling meant that they failed to capitalise on the early breakthroughs and let slip the advantage.

Tharanga batted soundly and steered clear of any frills. As much as the Zimbabweans were purposeful in the first two hours, the left-hander too was focussed following the silly run out of Sanath Jayasuriya and the thrown away wicket of skipper Mahela Jayawardene. Heavy responsibility too rested on Sangakkara's shoulders and he bore it manfully, bringing in all the experience of 175 one-day internationals he had played before this match.

At the first drinks break a score of 68 for two bode of a nicely balanced contest. Clearly the intent to attack was far from the minds of the third wicket Sri Lankan pair. Having brushed aside Bangaldesh's challenge in the opening encounter at Mohali, the Sri Lankans had set out with a goal to post an imposing total and close out the match by the break.

Generosity came in the form of the second-string bowlers in Elton Chigumbura, Harry Rinke and Chamunorwa Chibhabha, and Tharanga and Sangakkara were not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. That they would achieve the first target was evident when they had progressed to 180 for two by the 35th over when the second drinks break was ordered.

Anthony Ireland and Tawanda Mupariwa (he replaced Edwards Rainsford) are a far cry from the ilk of express fast bowlers; at best they can be classified as ordinary professionals willing to perform a duty. They stuck to their task, putting their heart and soul in their opening bursts.

Ireland had a 7-2 off side field just to choke Jayasuriya on his favourite side, but it was while trying to pinch a single that resulted in his dismissal; Chigumbura doing some smart work inside the square on the off side. Jayawardene went fishing well outside the off stump and offered a straightforward catch to Brendan Taylor.

Tharanga was not exactly cagey at the start, sending the sixth ball of the first over from Ireland to the cover point fence. Then he punched Mupariwa to the cover fence before his side was jolted by the dismissals of Jayasuriya and Jayawardene.

No better sight

There is not better sight in cricket than an opening batsman smashing the fast bowler over his head for a six, and that's what Tharanga did to Mupariwa. The young left-hander continued to dominate the proceedings.

Most pleasing though were the couple of inside-out shots struck by Sangakkara. Eventually their partnership fetched 165 runs at almost run a ball. Tharanga came down the pitch to the off breaks of Utseya and was bowled for 110, his sixth century in 31 one-day internationals.

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