With this win the Lankans keep alive their chances of playing in the final. .
CONVINCINGLY
In my preview of the Sri Lanka-India clash I said that Sri Lanka will have to prove that their two victories against India in the World Cup were no flashes in the pan. This they proved very convincingly.
I also said that the Lankans revel in a challenge and this too they proved without doubt. It was a great victory achieved when the chips were down considering the fact that the Lankans were surprisingly beaten by Pakistan in their first encounter. .
STREETS AHEAD
Jayasuriya and Vaas will not easily forget their efforts. Jayasuriya once again proved that there is no other opener to touch him. He is streets ahead among the one day bashers and in this game he proved it in no uncertain terms.
What was amazing in his innings was that he was able to silence the over 50 thousand biased Indian spectators who just sat and watched spellbound an innings that grew in beauty and stature with each stroke. . DEAF AND DUMB
The usually noisy Indian spectators were made to look deaf and dumb by this classic innings from Jayasuriya which would have been sweet music to the millions who would have been watching it over TV in many other countries.
Jayasuriya had the Indian bowlers by the scruff of their necks. He was almighty as he just sprayed the bowling to all parts of the field and over it as well. Fours and sixes just rocketed from his bat. His timing was superb and the power he put in looked like eveready and once the ball hit his bat, it sped like a bullet. .
HELPLESS
There was just nothing that skipper Tendulkar could do to unsettle Jayasuriya. He switched his bowlers around but they too were helpless as Jayasuriya unwound and bashed them with disdain.
These days it looks as if no bowler is capable of getting this great batsman out. When the Lankans were chasing a not too imposing Indian score of 225, it became a Jayasuriya only show as he made the Indian bowlers look like puppets with his bat pulling the strings. It was a class act. . NEW KING
Jayasuriya in making 151 not out beat Aravinda de Silva's score of 145 against Kenya in the World Cup which stood as the highest by a Sri Lankan. He is now the new king. The earlier record of 140 too was held by Jayasuriya who made it against New Zealand in South Africa.
Match or tournament organisers could pocket a fortune if they are able to get Jayasuriya and Tendulkar to open. And if they get going what batsmanship they will provide. .
VENGEANCE
Chaminda Vaas who was bashed for something like 70 runs by the Pakistanis hit back with a vengeance. What made him bowl economically was that he did not make the mistake of bending his back. He bowled wicket to wicket and that was the secret of his success. This is what is required from him against the Kiwis. Like Jayasuriya with the bat, Vaas becomes the most economical Sri Lankan bowler in the cowboy game.
When Sri Lanka lost the toss, it was a delighted Tendulkar who took first strike. But his delight was shortlived as the Lankans produced a highly professional team effort led brilliantly once again by Arjuna Ranatunga to prove to the Indians that they are not invincible, even on their own turf and before their home crowds. .
DETERMINED
Today the Lankans front up to the Kiwis. The Lankans will be determined to avenge their defeats in NZ. If they believe in themselves and play correct cricket as they did against the Indians, there is no reason why they should not meet either India or Pakistan in the best of three finals.
The Kiwi batting revolves around Nathan Astle. He is their batting prop. To get him early will be Ranatunga's orders to his opening bowlers. .
CONSISTENCY
Once again the Lankans will be looking for CONSISTENCY in the umpiring.
Sri Lanka could have won for the loss of one wicket had Atapattu won the benefit of the doubt from the third umpire. All TV commentators were convinced that the benefit of the doubt should have gone to Atapattu. Replays justified this thinking. But the third umpire thought otherwise which goes to prove that the third umpire concept can also be wonky at times.