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Lanka wins as West Indies lose Lara
The West Indies` hopes of qualifying for the tri-series final dwindled as they lost to Sri Lanka and Brian Lara was ruled out for the rest of the tri-series in Colombo, at Kandy on Saturday.
The West Indies' hopes of qualifying for the tri-series final dwindled as they lost to Sri Lanka and Brian Lara was ruled out for the rest of the tri-series in Colombo, at Kandy on Saturday.
Mahela Jayawardene's superb 106 and his 187-run unbroken partnership with Marvan Atapattu (82) helped the home team coast to an eight-wicket victory in the penultimate league match of the tournament.
It was Sri Lanka's third win in four matches and leaves Zimbabwe and the West Indies fighting it out for the other final berth in the last league tie on Sunday.
But without Lara, who dislocated his left elbow and suffered a fractured arm, the West Indies are likely to have a tough time against Zimbabwe.
They could not give Sri Lanka a run for their money as Jayawardene made up for missing a century by four runs in the previous match against Zimbabwe. Captain Sanath Jayasuriya had earlier scored a run-a-ball 34.
Put in to bat, the West Indies scored 235 in 49.5 overs, Lara retiring hurt when in full flow. He had scored 24 off 29 deliveries when he collided with Marvan Atapattu near the non-striker's end.
The West Indies had lost opener Chris Gayle by then and after a cameo by Ramnaresh Sarwan (24), it was left to captain Carl Hooper to stop the rot in the company of opener Daren Ganga.
Hooper hit 72 off 98 balls, with the help of four fours, putting on 69 runs for the third wicket with Ganga (52). The West Indian captain was out when he lofted Sanath Jayasuriya and was caught at long off by Upul Chandana.
There were no worthwhile partnerships down the order, with wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs fighting a lone battle with a quick 25 off 29 balls. The innings folded with one delivery still to go.
Charitha Buddika, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jayasuriya and Russel Arnold took two wickets each.
The West Indies and Zimbabwe both have one win from three matches each and the winner on Sunday will make it to the final to be held at Colombo on Wednesday.
Bureau Report
It was Sri Lanka's third win in four matches and leaves Zimbabwe and the West Indies fighting it out for the other final berth in the last league tie on Sunday.
But without Lara, who dislocated his left elbow and suffered a fractured arm, the West Indies are likely to have a tough time against Zimbabwe.
They could not give Sri Lanka a run for their money as Jayawardene made up for missing a century by four runs in the previous match against Zimbabwe. Captain Sanath Jayasuriya had earlier scored a run-a-ball 34.
Put in to bat, the West Indies scored 235 in 49.5 overs, Lara retiring hurt when in full flow. He had scored 24 off 29 deliveries when he collided with Marvan Atapattu near the non-striker's end.
The West Indies had lost opener Chris Gayle by then and after a cameo by Ramnaresh Sarwan (24), it was left to captain Carl Hooper to stop the rot in the company of opener Daren Ganga.
Hooper hit 72 off 98 balls, with the help of four fours, putting on 69 runs for the third wicket with Ganga (52). The West Indian captain was out when he lofted Sanath Jayasuriya and was caught at long off by Upul Chandana.
There were no worthwhile partnerships down the order, with wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs fighting a lone battle with a quick 25 off 29 balls. The innings folded with one delivery still to go.
Charitha Buddika, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jayasuriya and Russel Arnold took two wickets each.
The West Indies and Zimbabwe both have one win from three matches each and the winner on Sunday will make it to the final to be held at Colombo on Wednesday.
Bureau Report