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October
30, 2000
SHARJAH, United Arab
Emirates (AP) -- Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya smashed a career best 189 as Sri
Lanka powered to 299 for 5 off 50 overs against India in the final of the
$100,000 US Coca-Cola Cup tournament Sunday in Sharjah Stadium.
Jayasuriya's monumental innings marked the second-highest individual score
in one-day internationals, and only exhaustion took him out.
The left-handed Jayasuriya lashed 21 boundaries and four sweetly timed sixes
to rattle up the highest individual score at Sharjah.
The previous best in Sharjah was West Indian Brian Lara's 169 against Sri
Lanka. Pakistani opener Saeed Anwar holds the world record score in one-day
cricket with his 194 against India.
The Sri Lankan skipper, who reached 6,000 runs in one-day internationals
from 217 matches, has been in sublime form during this three-nation
tournament. He won the toss and decided to bat and set the stage for the
imposing total in a brisk first wicket stand off 44 in 8.1 overs with Romesh
Kaluwitharana (15).
Left-hander Russel Arnold was the perfect foil to Jayasuriya contributing a
crisp 52 (62 balls) not out as the duo posted 166 runs for the fifth wicket
in just 124 balls. Arnold also reached a personal milestone Sunday scoring
1,000 runs in one-day internationals.
Arnold brought stability to the middle order after Sri Lanka lost three
wicket wickets as India fought back. Marvan Atapattu was unfortunately run
out for nine after backing too far with Jayasuriya's straight drive being
deflected off bowler Sachin Tendulkar's hand and hitting the non-striker's
end stumps.
From 90 for 1, the Lankans slumped to 116 for 4 with last match's centurion
Mahela Jayawardena (3) and Kumar Sangakkara (8) being dismissed cheaply.
However, Jayasuriya in the company of Arnold, again took control to tear
apart the Indian attack. Jayausirya, 31, took 18 runs apiece from separate
overs from paceman Ajit Agarkar and Ventatesh Prasad.
His remarkable flick off his legs for a six off Agarkar showed his contempt
for the Indian bowling. He also played some vicious cuts and pulls to treat
the capacity crowd to the finest batting exhibition of stroke play here.
Jayasuriya, who several times during his 48-over stay at the wicket was
overcome with nausea, finally perished going for a big hit off Indian
skipper Saurav Ganguly with wicket keeper Vijay Dahiya doing the stumping.
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