Windies get another consolation win

Windies get another consolation win

Stabroek News
June 12, 2003

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ARNOS VALE, St. Vincent - For the third time this season, the West Indies signed off on a lost series with victory, on this occasion by six wickets on the Duckworth/Lewis scoring system as the three-match Cable and Wireless Limited-Over Series against Sri Lanka came to a rain-affected conclusion on today.

Beaten in the back-to-back fixtures the previous weekend in Barbados, the Caribbean side again rallied to give a full house at the Arnos Vale Playing Field much to cheer about.

As they did in the consolation Test and one-day wins over Australia, encouraging signs were offered as the bowlers - including a teenaged fast bowling debutant - dismissed the tourists for 191.

Set a revised target of 160 off 42 overs after two rain interruptions, Marlon Samuels’ unbeaten 45 turned a potentially tricky journey into a late afternoon cruise.

In a series where no one player has been absolutely dominating, Samuels got the nod as “Man of the Series” for his spectacular batting cameos in the last two matches, generally useful part-time off-spinners and moments of brilliance in the field.

That he also took the “Man of the Match” award was hardly surprising as his effort with the bat followed a brilliant catch in the field and the wicket of Tillekeratne Dilshan. His earning of the double honour typified the West Indies effort so far in another long international season in the Caribbean - occasionally brilliant but not consistent enough over the long run.

TURNED THE TIDE
Coming to the crease after Chris Gayle (21) was bowled round his legs by Upul Chandana to leave the West Indies uncomfortably placed at 81 for three in the 23rd over, the elegent Jamaican right-hander turned the tide immediately upon his arrival, hoisting the leg-spinner for huge sixes over wide long-on and then depositing Sanath Jayasuriya for a straight hit that also went out of the ground.

His assault pushed the home side so far ahead of the required rate that by the time the first series of showers swept across the ground to halt play in the 28th over, the result was already a formality.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (25) perished to Muttiah Muralitharan upon the resumption, but even the crafty off-spinner’s performance (one for 26 off nine overs) could not thwart Brian Lara’s men as Ricardo Powell (16 not out) ensured there were to be no more stumbles along the way.

The Sri Lankans were certainly hopeful earlier in the afternoon when Lara departed. Trying to repeat a hoisted six over long-on off Kumar Dharmasena, the West Indies captain spliced a catch to Dharsana Gamage running back at mid-off. His departure for 14, following the loss of Wavell Hinds (19) to a catch at mid-on off Chaminda Vaas, hinted at a tense low-scoring battle that is often the feature of one-dayers at this ground.

But Samuels, with a little help from the rest of the middle-order, at least ensured that the sterling work of the bowlers did not go in vain this time.

The signs were not encouraging, however, when Jayasuriya slashed the third delivery of the day for six over point off Darren Powell.

FALTERING PROGRESS
But when he was run out for just eight by Samuels’ direct hit, Sri Lanka could only make faltering progress, losing wickets at regular intervals. Powell was one of two changes to the West Indies line-up, the other being another Jamaican pacer, Jerome Taylor.

The 18-year-old arrived on the international scene highly recommended by no less a personality that world record holder Courtney Walsh. He did not disappoint. Operating off a smooth, rhythmical action and generating considerable pace from his slight frame, Taylor impressed as yet another fast bowling hopeful in taking the wickets of Sri Lankan captain Marvan Attapattu (25) and Chandana (33) off ten overs that cost 39 runs. Like so many others in the last ten years, his progress will be closely monitored in the hope that he will not join the growing list of those who have fallen by the wayside.

Mahela Jayawardene topscored with a battling 51, putting on 67 for the fifth wicket with Chandana after the tourists had slumped to 67 for four. He added a further 42 runs for the seventh wicket with Dharmasena, but his dismissal, bowled by a Corey Collymore full toss in the penultimate over, ended hopes of a total even marginally over 200.

Collymore finished with three for 28, but his compatriot, Ryan Hurley, was the most economical. His ten overs of accurate off-spin were bowled at a cost of just 25 runs for the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara (11). Yet again, the value of slow bowling, even in the crash-bang arena of one-day cricket, was emphasised.

Both teams now turn their attention to the two-Test series beginning in nine days’ time in St Lucia, with the West Indies hoping that this time they can grab the initiative rather than have to contend with the crumbs. (Windiescricket.com)