da winzada777： In was nightmare for the sponsors, but a dream for Colombo’s policeauthorities, who were reportedly in a quandary as to whether to imposeanother post-election city-wide curfew in the afternoon, as Chaminda Vaasensured the first game of the LG
da dobrowin： Charlie Austin08-Dec-2001In was nightmare for the sponsors, but a dream for Colombo’s policeauthorities, who were reportedly in a quandary as to whether to imposeanother post-election city-wide curfew in the afternoon, as Chaminda Vaasensured the first game of the LG Abans triangular ODI series was theshortest ever One-Day International.By midday, after just two hours, Sri Lanka had wrapped up a nine-wicket winhaving bowled out Zimbabwe for just 38, the lowest ever total in ODIcricket, surpassing the 43 scored by Pakistan against West Indies at CapeTown in 1992/3. They then knocked off the required runs in just 4.2 overs.For the second time in the week, it was Vaas who created the mayhem, asZimbabwe’s shocked batsmen wandered across their stumps like rabbits caughtfull-beam. The 27-year-old left-armer took the first eight wickets to falland looked to be heading for all ten before Muttiah Muralitharan took twowickets in four balls to finish off the innings.His eight for 19 was the best ever bowling analysis in one-day cricket’s31-year history, surpassing the seven for 30 taken by Muralitharan last yearagainst India at Sharjah.Vaas bowled well with the new white ball, which does swing more than the redone, and Sri Lanka had won a good toss in the morning on a greasy SinhaleseSports Club pitch, but there could be no proper explanation for such amiserly total. This was no minefield and Vaas has bowled better for lessreward – in fact he probably swung the ball more prodigiously in his lastTest match.But Vaas still deserves great credit for record-breaking spell, which wouldhave pleased no one more than his wife who was celebrating her birthdayalone at home today. Vaas has worked extremely hard during the past year,both on his fitness and skills. Coach Dav Whatmore praised his “focusedattitude to training” and believed that “performances like this don’t happenby accident.” His performance was a victory for the humble hard-workingmedium pacer, who success depends on the twin virtues of accuracy andmovement. Today he was spot on.Zimbabwean captain, Stuart Carlisle, called it a “freak result” and hopedthat his side could quickly flush today’s disturbing events out of theirsystem tomorrow, when they take on the West Indies. But the tourists will beconcerned that they struggled so much against the swinging ball; a weaknessthat cost them both practice matches against young Sri Lankan board XI’s.Vaas started his wicket-taking spree with the first delivery of the match; afull-length inswinger that curved onto the toe of opener Dion Ebrahim.Stuart Carlisle then added 11 runs for the second wicket with Grant Flower -a noteworthy partnership in the context – before Vaas severely dentedZimbabwean hopes by dismissing both Flower brothers in his third over: Grant(1) was bowled and Andy (0) was caught behind for a second-ball duck (11 forthree).Carlisle added a couple of boundaries with Craig Wishart in 25 minute stand,but Vaas’s sixth over singled the start of the end as the last seven wicketsfell for just 11 runs.Nuwan Zoysa has taken a Test hat-trick but no Sri Lankan had taken a one-dayhat-trick till today, when Vaas had Carlisle (16), trying to be positive,caught at third man, Wishart (6) and Tatrenda Taibu (0) trapped lbw withsharply swinging induckers (27 for six).Heath Streak (0) was dismissed in a similar manner and Mluleki Nkala (1)edged to Sangakkara behind the stumps (32 for eight).Sanath Jayasuriya then called up Muralitharan and the off-spinner zipped histhird ball through the defenses of Travis Friend (4) and had last man, HenryOlonga, caught at slip next ball.Sri Lanka started badly, losing Avishka Gunawardene in the first over, butstill cruised to victory as Marvan Atapattu stroked four fours in his16-ball 23 not out and Jayasuriya walloped 13 from seven balls.Zimbabwe now will play West Indies tomorrow and they will take some heartfrom the fact that the West Indies tour slipped further into disarray lastnight when their premier fast bowler, who would have been a real handful onthis SSC pitch, was sent home for disciplinary reasons.
