Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Kumar Sangakkara

 Kumar Sangakkara: Calibrated ascent into the galaxy of greats

Kumar Sangakkara.....class act.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 37, Innings 35, Not Out 8, Highest Score 124, Runs 1532, Average 56.74, Strike-rate 86.55, 100s 5, 50s 7, Catches 41, Stumpings 13

It would seem that the burden of wicketkeeping had an adverse impact on Kumar Sangakkara’s batting in One-day Internationals. For a batsman of his calibre, for someone who had the strokes, temperament and the right attitude, it was a matter of time that his average and strike-rate rose in the World Cup and One-dayers overall. His class is borne out by an average of above 57 in Test matches with 12,400 runs and 38 hundreds under his belt. With his One-day average touching almost 42, and an aggregate above 14,000 runs with a strike-rate of nearly 80, Sangakkara corrected the anomaly. The left-handed stalwart, needless to say, finds a place in the pantheon of the greats.

Sri Lanka began well in the 2003 World Cup with a fine win over New Zealand and two victories over the minnows, with Sangakkara hardly in evidence with the bat, but snapping up a number of catches behind the stumps. Then came that shock defeat at the hands of Kenya at Nairobi, with Sangakkara failing too, dismissed for 5 by man-of-the-match Collins Obuya. Even as Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling six-run win over the West Indies, Sangakkara’s bat failed to dazzle, and the tale continued in the tied game with hosts South Africa. Sri Lanka qualified for the super-sixes.

The rampaging Australians were unstoppable, but Sangakkara attempted to resurrect the innings with a 52-run fifth-wicket stand with the brilliant Aravinda de Silva, after Sanath Jayasuriya had retired hurt from a Brett Lee thunderbolt. Just when Sangakkara was finding form, he was run out for 20.

India too were in the midst of a golden run and they decimated Sri Lanka. After piling up 292 for six, the Indian pacemen had the Lankans on the mat. Sangakkara walked in at 15 for four after 3.4 overs. He tried to fight his way out of trouble, scoring 30 of the 44 runs that came while he was at the crease. He was sixth out, having hit four boundaries. Sri Lanka slumped to 78 for nine, before a rollicking last-wicket stand carried them to 109. It was a humiliating 183-run defeat.

After being singed in the previous two matches, there was respite against Zimbabwe. Sangakkara was striking the ball beautifully, putting on 52 for the fourth wicket with opener Marvan Atapattu in just 6.2 overs. But again, Sangakkara fell when he was promising much. He hit 35 off 25 deliveries with 4 fours. With this easy win Sri Lanka were through to the semi-finals.

It was a tricky St. George’s Park pitch, and Australia were restricted to 212 for seven, with Sangakkara snapping up three catches and effecting a stumping. Sri Lanka were never in the game. Sangakkara came in at 43 for four and kept losing his partners. He was into the only partnership of significance for the eighth wicket with Chaminda Vaas when the rain came down. Sangakkara was unbeaten on 39 in a score of 123 for seven, well behind on the Duckworth-Lewis system. Sri Lanka were out of the tournament even as Sangakkara’s form improved towards the later stages. To be fair, he batted mostly at no. 6, where he was either fighting with his back to the wall or was required to accelerate the scoring-rate. A batsman of his ability needed to bat higher up the order. He did a commendable job behind the sticks, claiming 17 victims.

The 2007 World Cup was a topsy-turvy tournament and performances against a team like Bermuda counted for nothing. Every Sri Lankan batsman got into stride, and Sangakkara put up his highest score hitherto of 76 in the premier event.

Bangladesh had shocked India, but the Sri Lankan batsmen were again on song. Sangakkara, now batting at no. 4, strode in at 137 for one after Jayasuriya twisted his knee and limped off. He put on 65 with Mahela Jayawardene, and 59 with Chamara Silva, before holing out to long-on. Sangakkara scored 56 off 55 balls, putting his team well on the way to a total in excess of 300. It was another big win for Sri Lanka as Sangakkara took three catches.

He would stand up to the stumps regularly while keeping to the pacemen. He explained, “If you’re bowling at under 140 kph, batsmen will take it upon themselves to walk up the track and take it at length. It doesn’t matter so long as you train with that in mind. You’ve got the helmet and you’ve got the pads, so all you need is to hone your skills.”

India desperately needed to win their last Group B match. Sri Lanka scored 254 for six, giving them a fair chance, with Sangakkara falling for 15. But the much-vaunted Indian line-up was not up to the task. The two sub-continental Big Brothers, India and Pakistan, were bundled out of the prestigious tournament after the brief first stage, stunning the cricketing world. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had done all that was asked of them.

Their first super-six fixture was the thriller against South Africa. The Lankans could not build any worthwhile partnership at the top. Sangakkara played himself in and then lost his wicket for 28. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold scored half-centuries to lift the total beyond the 200 mark. After Lasith Malinga had created a flutter with an incredible four wickets off successive balls, the last pair got South Africa home with 10 balls to spare. 

After this jolt, Sri Lanka went on to trounce hosts West Indies. Sangakkara, though, now batting at no. 3 fell for just 7. 

The game against England was a thriller, with Sri Lanka scraping home by 2 runs off the last delivery. Sangakkara could still not get going, being dismissed for 17.

The Lankans were now irresistible. They restricted New Zealand to 219 for seven. This time the real Sangakkara came to the fore. He put on exactly a hundred for the second wicket with Jayasuriya, and then saw his side home to a comfortable triumph through a series of handy partnerships. It was a polished unbeaten 69 from him spanning 104 deliveries and comprising 3 boundaries.

Now came the big test against the unstoppable Aussies, and Sri Lanka failed for the first time in the tournament. Sangakkara was trapped leg-before by the peerless Glenn McGrath for a duck. The penny had to drop sometime, and it did when most expected.

What a relief it was, then, to be playing Ireland next, but Sangakkara could not capitalize, falling after scoring just 10. Sri Lanka were already seen as the second-best team in the tournament, and they took their rightful place in the semi-finals.

They met New Zealand, put up a strong total of 289 for five, but Sangakkara continued to frustrate his fans, this time losing his wicket for 18. The Kiwis could not conjure a fight and Sri Lanka entered their second World Cup final.

Australia were too strong for all comers in this tournament, and Adam Gilchrist batted them to the title in this truncated game with a breathtaking century. After Upul Tharanga fell early, Sangakkara put up a stirring fight in the company of Jayasuriya. They added 116 for the second wicket in 17.4 overs. Sangakkara struck 6 fours and a stupendous six off McGrath, skipping down the wicket and lofting him over mid-wicket. It was sweet revenge for that dismissal for nought in the super-eight stage. The asking-rate, though, was very steep. Sangakkara brought up a run-a-ball fifty, slammed Brad Hogg to the extra-cover boundary, but then hit the next delivery into the hands of Ricky Ponting at mid-wicket. He had carved out 54 runs off 52 deliveries with 6 fours and that six. Sri Lanka now faded away quickly, just as the light did, and Australia lifted their third straight World Cup title after some blundering by the umpires. His best innings had come right at the end. It could not win the World Cup for his team, but it left his admirers wondering what might have been.

            Sangakkara was in superb form throughout the 2011 World Cup. Now leading the side, he put up a huge 179-run third-wicket stand with Jayawardene in the lung-opener with minnows Canada in the south-eastern resort town of Hambantota. Sangakkara missed his century, caught and bowled by John Davison for 92, laced with 7 fours and a six, and having faced 87 deliveries. Jayawardene scored a round 100 (81 balls, 9 fours, 1 six), before Davison dismissed him too. Sri Lanka totalled 332 for seven, while Canada collapsed to 122 all out in 36.5 overs.

             There was next a mighty struggle with Pakistan who put up 277 for seven at Colombo. Upul Tharanga and Dilshan raised 76 first up. Both fell in quick succession, as did Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera, as Shahid Afridi began spinning his magic. Sangakkara was now engaged in a rearguard operation with Chamara Silva. The pair battled hard, with Sangakkara even slashing Umar Gul for a six over third-man. When the partnership had reached 73, Sangakkara, one short of a fifty, stepped out to his opposite number Afridi and lofted him, only to hole out in the deep. He had 2 boundaries besides that six in his 61 balls. Some of the lower order did put up a stirring fight but Sri Lanka were beaten by 11 runs.

            Kenya lasted only 43.4 overs, being bundled out for 142. Malinga did most of the damage, capturing six wickets for 38 including an unprecedented second World Cup hat-trick. Dilshan left after scoring 44. Sangakkara allied with Tharanga (67 not out, 59 balls, 12 fours) in a 74-run partnership to usher in victory in the 19^th over. His unbeaten 27 off 24 deliveries contained 3 boundaries.   

            A downpour forced the eagerly-awaited face-off with Australia to be abandoned when Sri Lanka were 146 for three in 32.5 overs. Sangakkara was batting serenely on 73, having faced 102 deliveries and struck 7 boundaries. This halted Australia’s winning streak in the World Cup dating back to 1999.

            Zimbabwe were overwhelmed by the World Cup record opening partnership of 282 between Tharanga and Dilshan. Batting at no. 5, Sangakkara was unbeaten with 11 when the innings came to a close at 327 for six. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 188.

            In contrast, the Kiwis dismissed Tharanga and Dilshan early. Sangakkara, back at one-down, and Jayawardene got together again in a fine partnership. The hundred came up in 25 overs, and shortly thereafter Sangakkara raised his 9000^th run in One-day Internationals. He reached 50 in 77 balls, and the century partnership was achieved off just about 25 overs. In their quest to accelerate the scoring-rate, Sangakkara lofted Scott Styris for a straight six, and Jayawardene played an exquisite late-cut to the boundary in the same over. As soon as the batting Powerplay was taken in the 37^th over, Jayawardene departed after having scored 66. The partnership was worth 145. Sangakkara then went after Tim Southee, lofting him square on the off-side off either foot for 4.6.4 off consecutive deliveries. In the next over he carved Jacob Oram for two boundaries, punctuated by a leg-glance that brought him a long-awaited hundred. He had taken 119 balls to achieve the feat. He was castled by Nathan McCullum for 111, having faced 128 deliveries and struck 12 fours besides the 2 sixes. Sri Lanka totalled 265 for nine. New Zealand provided feeble resistance, the middle-order wrecked by Murali the wizard. Sangakkara was man-of-the-match.

            The openers Tharanga and Dilshan gave no chance to the English in the quarter-final, posting another double-century partnership, this time an unbroken one of 231 as they coasted to victory in under 40 overs.

            The adversaries once again in the semi-final were the Kiwis, who had knocked one of the favourites South Africa out of the tournament. This time there was more of a contest as they posted 217 before being all out in 48.5 overs, with Sangakkara holding three catches. After Tharanga left at 40, Dilshan and Sangakkara joined hands in another crucial partnership. In the 27^th over Sangakkara launched into a Nathan McCullum delivery and hit it straight into orbit for a six. The pair carried the side steadily towards the target, hoisting the century stand in a bit more than 21 overs. Soon after, Sangakkara raised his fifty off 72 deliveries, Dilshan was dismissed for 73. The partnership was worth 120 in 25.2 overs. Then wickets began to tumble. Sangakkara himself slashed into the hands of the third-man, having scored 54 from 79 balls and carved 7 boundaries besides that six. Soon it was 185 for five in the 43^rd over but no further alarms as Sri Lanka marched into their second successive World Cup final with 13 balls to spare. Sangakkara won another man-of-the-match prize.

            There was rebuilding to do once Tharanga fell for 2 in the final. Sangakkara put on 43 with Dilshan, and then got together with Jayawardene. The hundred came up in 24 overs, and the fifty of the partnership off 9.2 overs. But the canny Yuvraj Singh had him edging a square-cut into the gloves of opposite number Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The stand was worth 62 in 11.2 overs. It was a priceless breakthrough for India as Sangakkara departed for 48, having faced 67 deliveries and struck 5 boundaries. Jayawardene went on to score a superb unbeaten century, and Sri Lanka hit up 274 for six, a total no team had chased in a World Cup final. There was further joy in their camp as Malinga trapped Virender Sehwag second-ball for a duck, and then induced the peerless Tendulkar to edge into Sangakkara’s gloves, having scored 18. There was a hush all over India with the total on 31 for two in 6.1 overs. But by now it was an inspired home team, and they brought up victory in the 49^th over in one of the most thrilling World Cup finals.   

            It was, nevertheless, a brilliant tournament for Sangakkara. Leading from the front, efficient behind the stumps with 14 victims, and third-highest scorer in the tournament after Dilshan and Tendulkar, nothing more could be asked of him. Not once did he fail with the bat, his 465 runs coming at a tremendous average of 93, and a strike-rate of 83.78. This was Kumar Sangakkara at his very best.  

It is interesting to compare Sangakkara’s World Cup figures at that stage with those of Adam Gilchrist. In 31 matches the Australian great scored 1085 runs at an average of 36.16 and a strike-rate of 98.01, with 45 catches and 7 stumpings. In 30 matches the Sri Lankan star had scored 991 runs at an average of 45.04 and a strike-rate of 78.71, with 36 catches and 10 stumpings. Gilchrist had the most catches, and Sangakkara the most stumpings, in the World Cup. Gilchrist had his nose far ahead for his blistering batting strike-rate, which made him a match-winner, but Sangakkara had a better average. There is little doubt, though, as to who the two best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the World Cup were, interestingly both left-handers.

Sangakkara was irresistible in the 2015 event. The captaincy had passed to Angelo Mathews. New Zealand trounced Sri Lanka in the opening match, posting 331 for six. Lahiru Thirimanne and Dilshan raised 67 first up in 13 overs before Sangakkara walked in. He put on 57 with Thirimanne off 9 overs before the latter was castled by Trent Boult for 65. Jayawardene fell for a duck, and in his next over Boult trapped Sangakkara leg-before for 39, scored off 38 deliveries. It was now an uphill task for Sri Lanka. They were bowled out for 233 in 46.1 overs.

The only real failure for Sangakkara in this tournament was against the unheralded but spirited Afghanistan. Having posted 232, the Afghans caused a sensation, dismissing both the openers for ducks. Sangakkara was bowled for 7 but Jayawadene scored a superb 100, and Thisara Perera hit a hurricane 47 off 26 deliveries to post a four-wicket win.

It was a different story in the next game versus Bangladesh. Thirimamme and Dilshan knocked up 122 for the first wicket in 24.3 overs. Sangakkara was playing his 400^th One-day International, joining an exclusive club comprising Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar and Mahela Jayawardene. Along with Dilshan, he gradually raised the tempo, hitting hardly anything in the air. Their century stand came up in 16.2 overs. Sangakkara raced to his fastest hundred in One-day Internationals, off just 73 balls, in the last over. The double century partnership arrived in 24.5 overs. They hammered 16 boundaries in the last six-and a half overs. Theirs was a huge unbroken second-wicket partnership of 212 runs in 25.3 overs, Sri Lanka’s highest for the second wicket in One-day Internationals, and their third-highest partnership for any wicket in the World Cup. This was only the second time that century partnerships were posted for the first two wickets in the World Cup. India achieved this feat against South Africa in 2011. Sangakkara was unbeaten with 105 spanning 76 deliveries, and embellished with a six and 13 fours. Dilshan was not out at 161 (146 balls, 22 boundaries), the highest score for Sri Lanka in the World Cup, overhauling Aravinda de Silva’s 145 against Kenya in 1996. Sangakkara excelled behind the stumps too, snapping up 2 catches and effecting a stumping. He was the third to achieve this feat of a century and three dismissals in the World Cup, emulating Brendon McCullum and Adam Gilchrist. Sangakkara took his 400^th catch in One-day Internationals as wicketkeeper and fielder. Bangladesh folded up for 240.

            England scored an imposing 309 for six, thanks to a superb 121 (108 balls, 2 sixes, 14 fours) by Joe Root. Once again Thirimanne and Dilshan posted a century opening partnership, a round 100 in 19 overs. This time Dilshan was the first to leave for 44. Sangakkara was into his stride rightaway, and reached his fifty in 45 deliveries. He then stepped on the pedal, with several hits to the fence and a couple over it off Steven Finn. The century stand took just 16.1 overs. Thirimanne brought up his hundred from 117 balls. Sangakkara did not take much longer to hoist his own century off just 70 deliveries, the second fifty taking just 25 balls. It was superb batsmanship by the maestro, a successive three-figure knock by him. They continued to cruise, the 200 partnership logged up in 27 overs. The English bowlers made no impression on the pair and they cantered to a stunning nine-wicket victory, Thirimanne putting a final seal with a six that went soaring over long-on. The only other previous instance of chasing down a target of above 300 runs losing just 1 wicket in all One-day Internationals was when India beat Australia at Jaipur in 2013. It was a massive unbroken second-wicket partnership of 212 runs in 28.2 overs. Sri Lanka achieved the unique distinction of recording century partnerships for the first wicket and double century partnerships for the second wicket in successive matches. The same three batsmen were associated in these. Sangakkara was unbeaten with 117 off a mere 86 balls, dotted with 2 sixes and 11 fours. He was man-of-the-match. Thirimanne was 139 not out (143 deliveries, 2 sixes, 13 fours). Sri Lankan batting was on a huge high, led by exquisite strokeplay from Sangakkara.

            Glenn Maxwell blasted a century off a mere 51 balls, second fastest in the World Cup after Irishman Kevin O’Brien’s whirlwind hundred in 50 deliveries in 2011, and Australia’s fastest hundred in One-day Internationals. With the other batsmen also pitching in, the Aussies piled up 376 for nine. This time Thirimanne fell early but Sangakkara and Dilshan got together in another century partnership. Dilshan hammered Mitchell Johnson for six boundaries in the 6^th over. Sangakkara was again in sublime form, ringing in his fifty in 45 balls. They put on 130 in 19.5 overs when Dilshan departed for 62. Sangakkara slammed James Faulkner for three successive boundaries as Jayawardene helped add another 53 before being run out. Soon Sangakkara became the first to hit up three consecutive centuries in the World Cup, reaching the landmark in exactly 100 deliveries. He mistimed one from Faulkner to be caught in the covers for 104, having faced 107 balls and struck 11 boundaries. Despite some fireworks by the later batsmen, Sri Lanka folded up for 312 in 46.2 overs.  

There was a relaxed outing next with Scotland. Yet again Sangakkara and Dilshan were in tandem, this time logging up a near double-century stand, 195 to be exact in 28.5 overs. They cruised almost until the half-way mark of the innings, the century partnership spread over 19 overs, and then changed gears. They brought up their hundreds off consecutive deliveries in the 34^th over. It was Dilshan’s fourth century in the World Cup, and an unprecedented fourth consecutive hundred by Sangakkara in the World Cup and in all One-Day Internationals. This was his fifth ton in the premier event, emulating the feat of the former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Only the Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar had more, with six to his credit. Dilshan was out soon for 104 (99 balls, 1 six, 10 fours). Sangakkara blazed on, clattering Alasdair Evans for 6.4.4.4.4 in the 36^th over. Jayawardene and Sangakkara were dismissed off successive deliveries from Josh Davey. Sangakkara stroked 124 attractive runs from 95 deliveries, embellished with 4 sixes and 13 fours. As Angelo Matthews sprinted to his fifty in just 20 balls, Sri Lanka posted 363 for nine. Scotland could only total 215. Sangakkara won another man-of-the-match prize.

The quarter-final just did not go Sri Lanka’s way. With Kusal Perera opening, Thirimanne dropped down to no. 4. Perera was dismissed for 3, and Dilshan for zero. Thirimanne was enterprising in his association with Sangakkara, who dropped anchor. They added 65 in 15 overs before Thirimanne was caught and bowled by Imran Tahir. Wickets tumbled regularly. Sangakkara hung on till he was ninth out for 45, with the total only 127 after 36.2 overs. He had squared up to 96 deliveries and hit three boundaries. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133. Jean-Paul Duminy grabbed a hat-trick, while Tahir snapped up four wickets.   

The great Kumar Sangakkara retired from One-day Internationals with 14,234 runs, 402 catches (383 as wicketkeeper) and 99 stumpings in 404 matches. His aggregate was second only to the inimitable Sachin Tendulkar who hit up 18,426 runs in 463 games. In the World Cup, Sangakkara was the third-highest run-getter with 1,532 runs, behind Tendulkar (2,278 runs) and Ricky Ponting (1,743 runs). Sangakkara’s 482 dismissals were a record in One-day Internationals ahead of Adam Gilchrist who had 472 to his name. In the World Cup too, Sangakkara held the record with 54 dismissals, to Gilchrist’s 52. Sangakkara had by far the most stumpings totalling 13, and the second-highest number of catches at 41, to Gilchrist’s 45.

            Sangakkara’s stint in the World Cup is a microcosm of his calibrated ascent into the galaxy of greats. His graph kept rising until he found himself among the best-ever, blossoming into consistency personified. A technically correct batsman, he could play shots all round the wicket off either foot without ever looking brutal. He had rare finesse with the willow like few others did.        

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene: A touch of class

                

After forgettable early forays, Mahela Jayawardene showcased his true class in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup tournaments, Sri Lanka finishing runners-up in both.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 40, Innings 34, Not Out 3, Highest Score 115*, Runs 1100, Average 35.48, Strike-rate 85.93, 100s 4, 50s 5, Catches 16 

Stylish and classy, Mahela Jayawardene is one of the finest batsmen to emerge from the Emerald Islands. He made a moderate start in the 1999 World Cup, and had a horrific time in 2003, but in the manner of the true champion that he was, Jayawardene put his pedigree on display in the next two tournaments. Having retired with nearly 12,000 exquisite runs in Test matches at an average of nearly 50 and 34 hundreds, and over 12,500 runs in One-day Internationals too, his place in history is guaranteed. In terms of pure statistics, a highest Test score of 374 and the highest-ever Test partnership of 624, with another compatriot of the highest class Kumar Sangakkara for the third wicket, bring Jayawardene’s temperament, concentration, application, discipline and dedication into sharp focus. He also held the record for the highest fourth-wicket partnership of 437 in Test matches with Thilan Samaraweera. Amazingly, the Test record of 351 for the sixth wicket in alliance with Prasanna Jayawardene also stood to the name of Mahela until eclipsed by a run in 2014. He has another 300-plus runs partnership to his credit at that level, once again in tandem with Sangakkara, raising 311 for the third wicket. Certainly, in terms of Test match partnerships, Mahela Jayawardene has been Bradmanesque.

            On World Cup debut in 1999, Jayawardene walked into a crisis at 31 for five as the South African pacemen wreaked havoc. He added 35 with Roshan Mahanama before being dismissed for 22, and Sri Lanka collapsed to 110 all out, suffering a heavy defeat. In the next game he put on 42 with Marvan Atapattu, scoring 31 in a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe. As Sri Lanka brought up a consolation win over Kenya in their last group match before bowing out, Jayawardene hit up 45 runs off 33 deliveries with 7 boundaries. He shared a hurricane 64-run eighth-wicket stand with Chaminda Vaas in 7.3 overs. It was not a happy tournament for the reigning champions, and Jayawardene sparkled briefly.

            The 2003 World Cup was a nightmare for Jayawardene with a scoreline of 1, 5, 9, 1, 0, 0 and 5. Sri Lanka advanced to the semi-final where they lost to an invincible Australian team.

Putting behind this aberration, Jayawardene performed splendidly as he led his country in 2007. There was a no-contest first-up, with first-timers Bermuda in no position to put up a challenge. Jayawardene joined hands with Sangakkara in a huge partnership of 150 runs at almost 6 runs per over. He left after scoring 85 off 90 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Sri Lanka registered a 243-run win.

Next, Bangladesh capsized easily, with Jayawardene up knocking 46 runs, facing 70 deliveries and striking 2 fours and 2 sixes. It was another easy victory. India found themselves in a desperate situation, having been upset by Bangladesh in their opening match. Sri Lanka did well to log up 254 runs but Jayawardene fell early. India faltered in their chase and were knocked out, just as Pakistan too were.

            The super-eight match at the Providence Stadium, Guyana, turned into an edge-of-the-seat affair thanks to Lasith Malinga’s hat-trick. Eventually South Africa scraped through by one wicket. Earlier, Jayawardene managed just 12 runs.

Hosts West Indies prised out two early Sri Lankan wickets at the same venue. Jayawardene joined Sanath Jayasuriya with the total at 35 after 8.4 overs. They were watchful till the 16^th over, after which Jayasuriya turned Ian Bradshaw to the fine-leg fence and then bludgeoned him over mid-off for another boundary. In the next over Jayasuriya slammed Dwayne Smith for 3 fours and a six. The floodgates were open. Jayasuriya continued to attack but Jayawardene had still not struck a boundary in 68 balls, with 33 runs to his name. He then went down the wicket to Dwayne Bravo and lofted him on the leg-side for a six to raise the hundred of the stand in 112 balls. Jayasuriya hoisted his century off just 86 deliveries. He was finally out for 115, having taken on 101 balls and blasted 10 fours and 4 sixes, another Jayasuriya special. The partnership tallied 183 runs in 30 overs. Jayawardene was yorked for 82, carved out in 113 deliveries, strangely hitting only 2 boundaries besides that six. The match turned one-sided as the West Indies could not mount a challenge.

It was then Sri Lanka’s turn to eke out a narrow two-run win over England off the last ball of the match. Jayawardene was in fine nick once again, partnering Upul Tharanga in a 91-run stand for the third wicket. Jayawardene raised his fifty in 51 balls but was soon caught at mid-wicket for 56, having been in for 61 deliveries and stroked 4 boundaries.

The Kiwis were overcome easily by six wickets, though Jayawardene scored only 15.

He was back among the runs facing an invincible Australian side. As three wickets fell for 27, Jayawardene found an able ally in Chamara Silva. Having taken his time to settle down, Jayawardene sent two short deliveries from Glenn McGrath to the boundary in the 12^th over. Silva hit 2 fours of his own off Shaun Tait in the next over. The innings was back on track. With the third Powerplay coming up in the 31^st over, Jayawardene played a delicate leg-glance off Tait to the boundary and then hooked the paceman for a six to bring up his half-century off 64 deliveries. This also marked the century stand. Chinaman bowler Brad Hogg accounted for both batsmen in successive overs, the partnership worth 140 in 30.4 overs. Jayawardene was stumped by Gilchrist off a beauty, having played a typically accomplished innings of 72, and negotiated 88 balls dotted with 5 fours and a six. A total of 226 posed little problem to the Aussie powerhouse.

            Ireland were shot out for 77 in 27.4 overs. Sri Lanka raced to an eight-wicket win in all of 10 overs. Jayasuriya and Jayawardene came together in an unfinished stand 56 in 6.4 overs. Jayawardene’s unbeaten 39 came off 27 deliveries, punctuated by 6 boundaries and one strike over the ropes.   

            Blessed with a keen sense of occasion, Jayawardene stroked his way to a brilliant century off the Kiwi bowlers in the semi-final. His partners contributed to the cause in four valuable partnerships. As against the West Indies, Jayawardene was steady off the mark, with Tharanga blazing away. When the opener was bowled for 73 (74 balls, 9 fours, 1 six), the pair had put on 44. Jayawardene was then on 9 off 33 deliveries with no boundary. This time he hit his first four off the 48^th ball that he faced, a pull off Scott Styris. Another 41 runs were added with Chamara Silva. Joined by Tillakaratne Dilshan, the patient Jayawardene soon found the boundary regularly. In the 44^th over Jayawardene lofted Jacob Oram for a six, and in the next got a lucky six off Jeetan Patel. Dilshan helped raise 81 for the fifth wicket. Jayawardene stepped on the accelerator after the departure of Dilshan. He hit a flurry of boundary that had everyone applauding in admiration. This was vintage Jayawardene, now totally in command. He brought up a magnificent hundred from 104 balls with an exquisite square-cut to the ropes in the penultimate over. As Shane Bond came on to deliver the final over, Jayawardene square-drove him to the boundary. He then despatched a full toss over mid-wicket for a six. Sri Lanka totalled 289 for five. Russel Arnold had helped him add an unbroken 56. Jayawardene was unbeaten with 115, having faced 109 deliveries, embellished with 10 fours and 3 sixes, an innings from the top drawer. It was his first century in 21 visits to the crease in the World Cup. At last, he had set the record straight. New Zealand seemed in the hunt for a brief while but once magical Murali had the spherical weapon in his hand, they were shot out for 208.

            A scintillating hundred by Adam Gilchrist virtually settled the issue in the final. Jayasuriya and Sangakkara did brighten up Sri Lanka’s chances with a second-wicket century stand but as darkness fell over Bridgetown it was the Australian team that lifted the ICC World Cup for the third successive time. Jayawardene scored just 19, but it was a fine tournament for him. He was the second-highest run-getter in the event after Matthew Hayden, and just ahead of Ricky Ponting, with 548 runs at an average of 60.88 with a century and 4 half-centuries in 11 matches. Class had finally shown up on the big stage.     

            The captaincy passed to Sangakkara for the 2011 tournament, but Jayawardene used the opening fixture with Canada to score his second hundred in the World Cup. Joining the skipper in a 179-run third-wicket partnership in just 22.5 overs, the accomplished duo put the hapless part-timers to the sword. Sangakkara was unlucky to miss his century, falling for 92, but Jayawardene hoisted an even 100, having faced just 81 balls and struck 9 boundaries and a six. Sri Lanka triumphed easily by 210 runs.

            There was a narrow 11-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in a high-scoring encounter as Shahid Afridi spun his magic. Jayawardene lost his middle stump to the fiery Shoaib Akhtar for just 2. His early dismissal might have made a crucial difference at the end.

Kenya were overcome easily, with Jayawardene not called upon to bat. The rain-marred match against Australia saw him run out for 23. Zimbabwe were overcome easily but Jayawardene fell for just 9.

            The maestro would have been keen to fire in the last league engagement with New Zealand. Two early wickets fell and there he was once again in the company of Sangakkara. Though watchful, this time Jayawardene got the boundaries flowing right from the start. They raised the century stand in a bit more than 25 overs. Jayawardene reached his fifty in 74 balls. Just as the batting Powerplay was deployed in the 37^th over, Jayawardene was leg-before for 66, having faced 89 deliveries and struck 6 fours. The pair had added 145 runs in 31.4 overs. Sangakkara got his long-awaited hundred and Sri Lanka went on to post 265 for nine. The Kiwis never took flight as the mesmeric Murali cast his spell yet again.

            England had provided thrills aplenty in the group matches, but not in the quarter-final. They managed a score of just 229 for six. The Sri Lankan openers Tharanga and Dilshan helped themselves to a century each as they cruised to a ten-wicket triumph in under 40 overs.

New Zealand were the adversaries again in the semi-final, and they were bowled out for 217. Sri Lanka won quite comfortably but Jayawardene fell for 1.

            Came the final in a noisy Wankhede Stadium as India bid to become the first team to win the World Cup on home turf. After the early loss of Tharanga, it was Dilshan and Sangakkara who shored up the innings. When Dilshan was dismissed at 60, old mates Sangakkara and Jayawardene joined forces one more time. Again on the big occasion Jayawardene was in splendid touch, carving out some superbly timed boundaries. Sangakkara departed after a partnership of 62, and Jayawardene found useful support right down the order. Samaraweera helped add another 57 as Jayawardene continued to pace his innings beautifully, not once swinging his bat violently nor playing an ugly shot. He rung in his fifty off 49 deliveries. Though two quick wickets fell, Nuwan Kulasekera was at hand to carry forward the fight. The batting Powerplay was taken at the last possible moment in the 46^th over, and the dam burst. Boundaries began to come in a torrent. In the 48^th over, Kulasekera clattered Zaheer Khan over mid-wicket for a six. Jayawardene then lofted two boundaries on the off-side to post a magnificent hundred, having taken just 84 balls to reach the coveted landmark. Kulasekara was run out off the last ball of the over, the pair having added 66. Thisara Perera got most of the strike thereafter and in the last over simply waded into Zaheer Khan. He hammered two boundaries before launching the last delivery into orbit for a six over mid-wicket. Eighteen runs came in that over, and Sri Lanka had hoisted a score of 274 for six. Jayawardene was unbeaten with 103, scored in only 88 balls, striking 13 boundaries. He leapt in the air, punching his fist joyfully. No side had chased so many runs in a World Cup final. India, though, were a team inspired and the rest is history.

            Jayawardene had rounded off the tournament splendidly with his bat. Over 300 runs, an average of 50-plus, a strike-rate of 100, two centuries and a fifty made a neat package. He played a vital role in Sri Lanka reaching their second consecutive final.

The 2015 World Cup was essentially about one match, the face-off against the minnows Afghanistan who gave Sri Lanka a run for their money. Jayawardene scored a round 100 as he carried his side towards a hard-earned win. In his other four innings he scored a total of 25 runs.

After a duck in the opening encounter with New Zealand, Jayawardene revelled at the expense of the Afghan attack. Chasing a target of 233. Sri Lanka were in serious trouble, having lost Lahiru Thirimanne, Dilshan and Sangakkara for just 18 when Jayawardene walked in. Dimuth Karunaratne too departed at 51. That was when Jayawardene allied with skipper Angelo Mathews in a partnership that turned around the innings. Jayawardene brought up the 1,000^th run of his World Cup career. The pair put on 126 runs in 28.3 overs before Mathews was run out for 44. Jayawardene soon raised his fourth World Cup hundred off 118 deliveries, one of class and finesse that saved his team the blushes. He did not add to it, being dismissed after facing another two balls. His innings was embellished with a six and 8 fours. By this time his team need another 54 runs off 52 deliveries. A hurricane unbeaten 47 from 26 balls by Thisara Perera ensured victory with 1.4 overs to spare.

Thereafter Jayawardene was able to score just 25 runs in the three matches that he got to bat as Sri Lanka were beaten by South Africa in the quarter-final.

It was in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments that Jayawardene was at his best. Sri Lanka were runners-up in both the events. That really was the story of Mahela Jayawardene in the World Cup, not really able to touch the pinnacle as his average of 35.48 suggests, and does not do justice to a batsman of his calibre.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey'). 

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Shahid Afridi

 Shahid Afridi: Slasher who finally spun his true magic

 

Shahid Afridi…..World Cup record four four-wicket hauls in 2011, three in consecutive matches.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Matches 27, Balls 1104, Maidens 7, Runs 831, Wickets 30, Average 27.70, Best 5/16, RO 4.51, 4 Wkts/Mt 2,  5Wkts/Mt 2, Catches 13

It was in October 1996 that Shahid Afridi burst on the scene with a blazing hundred in his first innings in One-day Internationals, against Sri Lanka at Nairobi. Afridi had made his debut two days earlier against Kenya but did not get to bat as he was penciled in at no. 9, his team triumphing by four wickets. That hundred, batting at no.3, came in all of 37 balls, fastest at this level till Kiwi Corey Anderson pipped it by a delivery on the first day of 2014.

            Soon drafted in to open the innings, it was reckoned that he would invariably provide blistering starts to his team. Though he blasted two of the five quickest, and three of the ten quickest, tons in One-dayers, and all his 6 hundreds arrived in well under 100 balls, he was too reckless and indiscreet to be a regular opener. Scintillating hitter though he was, he could not hold his place as a regular batsman alone, as his average of 23.57 suggests. He obviously had another skill, that of a quickish leg-spinner, but the powers-that-be were too slow to realize that his real utility was as a bowling allrounder who could change the game with both bat and ball. For that he needed to be utilised as a frontline bowler and a lower middle-order batsman.

            Through three World Cup tournaments Afridi was barely noticed. A highest score of 37 in his 18 World Cup innings is hardly worthy of an international batsman. At the helm in 2011, he took the ball with a vengeance and emerged as the highest wicket-taker along with Zaheer Khan, but at a much better average, economy rate as well as strike-rate. Finally, Afridi came into his own in the World Cup.

            He was up and down the order in the early English summer of 1999, in and out of the side, sometimes bowling, at other times not. His only performance of note was a typically swashbuckling 37 in 29 balls with 2 sixes and a four off the Zimbabweans, in the Super-sixes, batting at no. 7. Pakistan were runners-up to Australia.    

            It was much the same story in 2003 as the team was bundled out after the first stage. There was one good bowling stint against England. In his first over he castled Alec Stewart, and later had Craig White caught by Younis Khan. Afridi bagged two for 36 in his 8 overs, but England pulled away and registered a huge win.

            The 2007 World Cup was a sad one for Pakistan in more ways than one. In the solitary match that he played, Afridi smashed the Zimbabwean bowlers for 16 in 10 balls with a six and a four in a rollicking partnership of 33 in 3 overs with centurion Imran Nazir. As rain intervened in the Zimbabwe innings, Afridi bowled the big-hitting Elton Chigumbura, and rattled the stumps again twice in his next over. He finished with three for 20 in his 4 overs in a big win. But an upset earlier by Ireland was enough to knock Pakistan out of the tournament.

            The flamboyant Afridi was in his elements with the ball in 2011. He revelled in his role as captain and confined himself to the lower middle-order. After Pakistan had piled up 317 for seven, Afridi flummoxed the Kenyan batsmen with his wily bowling. Veteran Steve Tikolo stepped out but was beaten in the flight and was bowled. Afridi then trapped Tanmay Mishra leg-before with a googly as Kenya really began to slide. In his next over, Afridi slipped in a flipper to skipper Jimmy Kamande who was rapped on the pad, plumb in front of middle-stump. Another googly, and another lbw, the experienced Thomas Odoyo sent packing for a duck in the subsequent over. Amidst all the ruin, Collins Obuya was playing a fighting, aggressive innings, having struck 3 fours and 3 sixes. With not much hope left, he lofted Afridi in the following over but holed out at long-on. At the end of this 8^th over, Afridi had figures of five for 16, having delivered 3 maidens. This was the best analysis by a captain, and for Pakistan, in the World Cup. His team won by 205 runs.

            There was a vital fixture against Sri Lanka next. In characteristic fashion Afridi clouted 16 off 12 balls with 3 boundaries to boost the run-rate. With Sri Lanka sailing along at 88 for one in the 18^th over, Afridi’s third delivery went straight and fizzed through outside the off-stump. The in-form Tillakaratne Dilshan played on to the stumps trying to cut it. It was a crucial breakthrough. Afridi then beat Thilan Samaraweera on the forward stroke, and stumped by Kamran Akmal. Bowling his second spell, Afridi had Kumar Sangakkara caught for 49, as the captain stepped out, ending an ominous partnership with Chamara Silva. This was Afridi’s 300^th wicket in One-day Internationals, and a prized scalp in a significant match. Angelo Matthews too came down the wicket to Afridi and holed out in similar fashion, as the wily bowler shortened the length of the delivery. Afridi finished his quota of 10 overs with a haul of four for 34. Sri Lanka were now 211 for six in 44 overs, requiring another 67. Nuwan Kulasekara made a spirited effort, striking 24 off 14 deliveries with 2 fours and a six, but Sri Lanka fell short by 11 runs. Deservedly, Afridi was man of this pulsating match.

            Minnows Canada surprised Pakistan by skittling them for 184 in 43 overs as the ball swung around under a cloudy Colombo sky. Afridi tonked a quickfire 20 off 17 balls, and the last four wickets crashed for 3 runs. Canada lost wickets steadily. Afridi brought himself on first-change in the 11^th over. The Canadian batsmen were all at sea against him, and sure enough their captain Ashish Bagai was deemed leg-before-wicket by the review system to a ball that went on straight. The sixth delivery of Afridi’s new spell was a flighted googly, which Rizwan Cheema tried to cart on the on-side and was castled off-stump. In his next over Jimmy Hansra, who had been battling valiantly, was beaten by a flipper that took his off-stump. The next delivery was a quick one that surprised and bowled Harvir Baidwan. Afridi was denied a hat-trick but in his subsequent over Tyson Gordon threw his bat at a googly, only to be taken in the outfield. Afridi returned with a haul of five for 23 in his 10 overs, wresting his second-successive man-of-the-match award, and bagging four or more wickets in three consecutive matches. The Pakistani skipper was on a high.

            There was a setback at the hands of New Zealand as Ross Taylor scored a brilliant century on his birthday. Afridi took just one wicket, conceding 55 runs. Coming in at 45 for five in the 15^th over, Afridi played another breezy little innings of 17 in 9 balls with 2 fours and a six. Pakistan slumped to a 110-run defeat. Zimbabwe were beaten easily in a rain-shortened game, with Afridi again securing a sole wicket, having given away 33 runs. Pakistan halted the golden unbeaten run of the Australians in the World Cup going back to 1999. They bowled out the thrice-reigning champions for 176 in 46.4 overs, with Afridi once more taking one wicket, conceding 34 runs this time.

            Afridi was in his elements in the annihilation of the West Indies by 10 wickets in the quarter-final. Ramnaresh Sarwan had been trying to resurrect the innings along with old mate Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, and he slashed at one from Afridi outside off, only to be caught at point. Afridi made a shambles of the West Indies innings in his next over. Kieron Pollard attempted to cut a delivery angling in and inside-edged it into the gloves of Kamran Akmal.  His subsequent delivery was quick and trapped Devon Thomas leg-before. He finally knocked back Ravi Rampaul’s leg-stump to bowl out the West Indies for 112 in 43.3 overs. This time Afridi walked back with four wickets for 30 in 9.3 overs. The Pakistani openers knocked up the runs in less than 21 overs.

            This set up the most electrifying match of the tournament, a semi-final opposite India at Mohali. It was not a battle for the faint-hearted. After a belligerent Sehwag, it was a resilient, if lucky, Tendulkar who held centre-stage. Pakistan did not help matters by committing several blunders in the field. Finally, Afridi himself held a catch offered by Tendulkar after the maestro had scored 85. Afridi, though, was wicketless, having expended 45 runs. India’s total of 260 on a wicket of variable bounce in a high-pressure match was a bit too much. India ran away winners by 29 runs, Pakistan still unable to beat them in five encounters in the World Cup.

            It was, nevertheless, a superb display of leg-spin bowling by Afridi. His 21 wickets came at a brilliant average of 12.85 and an economy rate of 3.62. He was the only bowler in the World Cup to capture four wickets or more in three consecutive matches, and four in the same tournament. In fact no one had even three four-wicket hauls in the same World Cup. His four four-wicket hauls were level with the giants of spin, Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan in all World Cup tournaments. One wonders why the other side of Shahid Afridi was in the shadows for so long.

            In contrast, the 2015 event was a disaster for Afridi. He took both his wickets in one match, and had an abysmal bowling average of 141, though the economy-rate was commendable by modern standards at 4.94. With the bat, in the lower middle-order, he had a highest of 28 in six innings and an average of 23.20, but his strike-rate was a typical 133.33. Afridi hit a-run-a-ball 22 as Pakistan slumped to its sixth defeat to India in as many matches in the World Cup. His 28 off 26 deliveries came against the West Indies. His best match was in the face-off with minnows United Arab Emirates as he smashed a hurricane unbeaten 21 off 7 balls and bagged his two wickets. He played another cameo off 22 from 15 deliveries versus South Africa. In the quarter-final, he slammed the Australian attack for 23 off 15 balls, as Pakistan bowed out. During the tournament, Afridi completed the double of 8,000 runs and 300 wickets in One-day Internationals. The only other player to achieve this feat at the time was Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya.

            The popular image of Shahid Afridi is of a swashbuckling batsman, but his role as a quickish leg-spinner could have been much greater than it was, considering that he played nearly 400 One-day Internationals. Always a fierce competitor, he was one of the pin-up boys of Pakistan cricket for well-nigh two decades. In the World Cup he will be remembered for his incisive bowling in the 2011 tournament.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey').