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Inspite of half
centuries by Arjuna, Upul MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Graeme Hick fired 66 not out on Tuesday as England outclassed Sri Lanka by seven wickets to extend their lead in the triangular series limited-overs competition to four points. England completed their fourth win from five starts when they passed Sri Lanka’s modest total of 186 with 28 balls to spare. World champions Sri Lanka have now lost their last eight one-day internationals, including all three this series. Their hopes of ending the losing streak faded almost as soon as the match began when Darren Gough ripped through their batting. The Yorkshire paceman was at his menacing best as he skittled Sri Lanka’s top order to take four for 10 from his first seven overs. He finished with four for 28 from 10 overs to win the man of the match award. Gough made the early breakthrough when he had Sanath Jayasuriya caught by Nasser Hussain at gully for one then forced Marvan Atapattu to edge a catch to Hick at second slip for one. He also bowled Romesh Kaluwitharana (15) and Hashan Tillekeratne (0) to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 21 for four. Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga (76) and Upul Chandana (50) gave the world champions an outside chance of victory when they added 92 for the sixth wicket but their dismissals triggered another collapse as the last five batsmen fell for just 46. England batted cautiously in reaching their target but were never in any real danger although they suffered a slight hiccup along the way. Nick Knight (31) and Stewart (20) put on 52 in 67 balls for the first wicket before they fell to paceman Nuwan Zoysa in successive deliveries. Hussain denied Zoysa his hat-trick as he and Hick carefully added 62 for the third wicket to put the match out of Sri Lanka’s reach. Hussain went for 29 when he was stumped by Romesh Kaluwitharana off Muttiah Muralitharan before Hick, who scored a century in Sunday’s win over Australia in Sydney, put on 74 with John Crawley (31 not out) in an unbeaten stand to steer England home. England lead the series with eight points from five matches, ahead of Australia with four points from four starts. Sri Lanka remained without a point after three games. Sri Lanka play Australia in Hobart on Thursday. SCOREBOARD England innings Result: England won by seven
wickets
MELBOURNE (Australia), Jan. 19 — Sri Lankan captain ARJUNA RANATUNGA smashes a ball to the bounday for four runs during their match against England in Melbourne. England who beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets are currently on the top of the table in the international one-day triangular series leading Australia and Sri Lanka. — (Reuters) MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Muttiah Muralitharan said on Tuesday that he was upset at the way the Australian public had treated him this summer. The Sri Lankan spinner said he felt Australian spectators had unfairly turned against him after he was accused of throwing the ball instead of bowling it with a straight arm. Breaking his silence on the issue, Muralitharan told an Australian television network on Tuesday that the pressure was starting to get to him. "It’s frustrating when you go to the ground and people are shouting at you every time," Muralitharan said. "Other batsmen, who hit a four or other bowlers who take a wicket the crowd, they appreciate them, but when I take a wicket it’s the other way around." Muralitharan’s unusual bowling action came under the international spotlight when Australian umpire Darrell Hair no-balled him seven times for throwing during a test match in 1995. He was reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) but was cleared to keep playing after the sport’s ruling body said his action was not illegal. Hair was charged by the ICC last week for breaching the sport’s Code of Conduct after criticising Muralitharan’s action in a recent book. The Australian crowds have relentlessly heckled Muralitharan every time he has played on Sri Lanka’s current tour. The 26-year-old said he was upset at the way spectators had turned against him but said he was determined not to let it affect his game. "The England public’s very good," he said. "I think the only problem is in Australia. "It’s annoying more than anything else, but I think the more they shout the more I’ll be tougher." Rain saves Nalanda The ever omnipresent weather-gods came to Nalanda’s rescue with a torrential downpour at 2.00 p.m. as their Inter School Cricket Fixture against S. Thomas ended in a draw at Mount Lavinia yesterday. The Campbell Place School, replying to S.T.C’s healthy total of 236, were skittled out for a paltry 117, before being asked to follow on. This was also the second successive week in which the Nalandians suffered the ignominy of being asked to follow-on, having endured a similar fate against Royal last week. For the Nalandians fresher, Buddhika Ranaweera, top scored with a gritty 25, while the rest simply fell like a pack of cards to the wiles of Thomian left arm leggie Suranga Peries who returned career best figures of 5 for 18 for the season. Trailing by 119 runs Nalanda could face up to only two overs before the rain saved the day for them. SCORES (Buddhika Ranaweera 25, Dilhan Jayasundera 20, Mevan Porage 19, Suranga Peries 5 for 18, Ravi Gunawardena 2 for 21, Meshad Peries 2 for 19) and 1 for no loss. The annual prize giving of the Bridge Federation of Sri Lanka (BFSL) and the Contract Bridge Association (CBA) will be held on January 26 Tuesday at BFSL Headquarters, Colombo 7. The BFSL also announced that a Sri Lankan open team and a ladies team will participate at the SAARC Bridge championship from 4 to 9 February in Dhaka. In addition a youth team will represent Sri Lanka for the pre-qualifying round of the World Youth Championship in Cairo from 15 to 20 February.(S.O.S.) |
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