Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Lasith Malinga

Slinging in the lethal yorkers

Lasith Malinga. Only one to snare two hat-tricks, including four wickets in four deliveries, in the World Cup.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Balls 1394, Maidens 11, Runs 1281, Wickets 56, Average 22.87, Best Bowling 6/38, Runs/Over 5.51 

A quaint action somewhere between the underarm and the overarm, facilitating the slipping in of lethal yorkers beneath the willow, putting at risk batsmen’s toes as much as the base of stumps, a thick mop of streaked curly locks bouncing in his spirited run-up, have made the little pace dynamo unique as well as an unforgettable character of the game. Lasith Malinga is as original as one can find, a strike bowler like no other.

The bemused batsmen from Bermuda would have seen nothing like him. Like the other bowlers he enjoyed the easy picking, returning with an analysis of 5-2-10-3. The newcomers collapsed to 78 all out.

Having upset India, Bangladesh could not offer much resistance to the Lankan attack. Malinga had Tamim Iqbal caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara. He then got Aftab Ahmed to top-edge a short ball, for Sanath Jayasuriya to take the skier at square-leg. Malinga had tailender Abdur Razzak snapped up by Sangakkara again as the delivery took off from a length just outside off. Bangladesh were bowled out for 112 in 37 overs. Malinga’s booty this time was three for 27 off 6 overs. 

A desperate India could not mount a challenge and packed up for 185. Malinga picked up a late wicket. Sri Lanka had won all their Group B matches with ease, their bowling outfit having cleaned up all 30 wickets.

It was in the super-eight clash with South Africa that Malinga created a sensation towards the end. After 7 overs he had taken no wicket, having conceded 43 runs. Chasing a target of 210, the Proteas were sailing at 206 for five in the 45^th over. Malinga’s fifth delivery was a slower one that foxed Shaun Pollock and hit his leg-stick. Next ball, Andrew Hall spooned a yorker into the hands of Upul Tharanga in the covers. One run came off the next over. Jacques Kallis, batting on 86, tried to finish off the match by square-driving the first delivery of Malinga’s next over, but to his chagrin only edged it into the gloves of Sangakkara. Malinga had grabbed the fifth hat-trick of the World Cup as the nervous South Africans searched for those winning runs. Makhaya Ntini could barely get his bat down before the lethal yorker smashed into his middle stump. Malinga had created a sensation around the Providence Stadium with his four-in-four devastation. He conceded just one run in his last four deliveries as the batsmen fiddled around, barely surviving. A maiden followed, and then Malinga’s first delivery missed the outside edge by a whisker. Amid mounting tension, Robin Peterson edged the next to the boundary, just managing to pull off a win by one wicket. Malinga returned with four wickets for 54, nearly sneaking a highly improbable win. It is drama like this that Malinga was always likely to conjure. He shared the man-of-the-match award with Charl Langeveldt who had a five-wicket haul to his name.       

Once Sri Lanka had posted 303 for five, hosts West Indies were subdued easily. Chris Gayle was sucked into Malinga’s delivery way outside off, hitting a steepler that was taken at long-on, the first wicket to fall at 20. Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, playing a strange kind of innings having scored 17 off 53 balls without a boundary, suddenly decided to alter his plans. He hit an off-side four and then used the long handle against Muttiah Muralitharan, periodically launching the great off-spinner for 4 sixes. As Malinga bowled the first ball of the 42^nd over, Chanderpaul sent it sailing over square-leg for his 5^th six. Predictably, Malinga yorked him off-stump next ball. Sri Lanka went on to register a 113-run win. This time Malinga bagged two for 34 off 5 overs.

There was another cliff-hanger with England. After Sri Lanka had put up 235, Chaminda Vaas dismissed captain Michael Vaughan for a duck. Malinga then trapped Ed Joyce leg-before, and suddenly England were 11 for two after 5.2 overs. The following batsmen battled hard, but England were in trouble at 133 for six with 33.3 overs having been bowled. Ravi Bopara and wicketkeeper Paul Nixon staged a rearguard act, carrying the score to 220. Off the fifth ball of the penultimate over, Malinga had Nixon holing out in the covers. Bopara drove the last delivery through the covers to the ropes. There were now 12 runs required off the final over and 3 off the very last ball. Dilhara Fernando bowled a beauty that knocked the top of Bopara’s off-stump. Sri Lanka pulled off a two-run victory. Malinga’s share was two wickets for 50 in his quota of 10 overs.

He missed the last three super-eight matches with an ankle injury but was back for the semi-final. With Sri Lanka having piled up 289 for five, Malinga struck straightaway, his third delivery screaming into skipper Stephen Fleming’s pad in front of the stumps. That was his solitary wicket at an expense of 21 runs with two maidens in 7 overs. New Zealand folded up for 208.  

Adam Gilchrist made the final his own with his hurricane hundred but Malinga broke his huge opening stand of 172 with Matthew Hayden. The big left-hander was playing a remarkably subdued supporting role to the marauding wicketkeeper when he tried to loft Malinga over the covers, for Mahela Jayawardene to take a fine catch springing up just at the right moment. Later he castled Shane Watson but Australia hoisted a mammoth 281 for four in the truncated 38-overs-a-side match. Malinga’s two wickets cost 49 runs in 8 overs, and he bowled the only maiden of the innings. Sri Lanka faded along with the light and had to be content with the runners-up prize.

Malinga took wickets in each of the eight matches that he played, logging a tally of 18 at a brilliant average of 15.77, evidence of his striking ability. He bowled with fire right through, an ideal foil to the experienced Vaas.

Once again he had to sit out the first two matches of the 2011 World Cup. Having recuperated, he was back and how! The first ball of his second over was a venomous trademark inswinging yorker that made a mess of the hapless Kenyan opener Seren Waters, and sent him packing leg-before. Another perfect indipping yorker in his second spell disturbed the furniture behind Collins Obuya. The last ball of his seventh over was once again the toe-crusher that found Tanmay Mishra in front of the sticks. He churned out another lethal yorker first up in his next over that crashed into Peter Ongondo’s middle stump. Malinga was once again on a hat-trick as Shem Ngoche took guard. Predictably, it was another of those under-the-bat thunderbolts which was too good for the no. 10 and darted into the stumps. Malinga had become the first to rip out two hat-tricks in the World Cup. After a wide that ran away to the fine-leg boundary and a dot ball, the fourth legitimate delivery of the over was an action replay of his earlier yorkers, which the mesmerized Elijah Otieno could do nothing about and the leg-stick took the brunt. Kenya were all out for 142; Malinga had a bounty of six wickets, having expended 38 runs in 7.4 overs. Sri Lanka took only 18.4 overs to speed to a nine-wicket triumph. Malinga was man-of-the-match.     

The game versus Australia was washed out after less than 33 overs in the Lankan innings. Malinga went wicketless as Zimbabwe were trounced easily. There was one wicket for him at the end as the Kiwis wilted. The thrashing of England in the quarter-final also had him pick up a sole wicket.

After this lean phase, he bowled the first over in the semi-final, and then returned only in the 22^nd over. That vicious inswinging yorker, for the umpteenth time, went right through Martin Guptill and crashed into the timber. As Scott Stryis went after Malinga, Kane Williamson too tried to emulate his senior but was another victim of the Malinga patent, the pad in the way right in front. In his next over, Nathan McCullum tried a mighty swing to leg off one that came on slowly and merely nicked it to Sangakkara. Malinga’s haul was three for 55 in 9 overs, with New Zealand being bowled out for 217. The Lankan batsmen ensured a five-wicket win.

Jayawardene gave the side a great opportunity in the final with a magnificent century, and Malinga provided a tremendous opening with two monumental early strikes. Virender Sehwag was rapped on the pad trying to turn the second delivery of the innings and was gone for a duck. He then stunned the boisterous Wankhede Stadium crowd and indeed all of India, moving the first delivery of his fourth over away from a good length. Sachin Tendulkar tried to square-drive, only to get a thickish edge for Sangakkara to fling himself and cling on to the huge prize. Suddenly, India were 31 for two with doubts creeping into the minds of millions of fans. Gradually they extricated themselves from the tangle, built up momentum and brought up victory with a flourish. Young Virat Kohli recalled, “I was afraid of facing Lasith Malinga’s yorker. Already I was nervous. But after two or three balls balls, I settled down.” Sri Lanka were worthy runners-up again, and Malinga finished with two for 42 in 9 overs.

The little powerhouse had played his role, bagging 13 wickets on pitches that were unkind to pacemen for the most part. Once again he had a top-class average of 20.14.      

Hosts New Zealand ran away with the opening encounter in 2015, hitting up 331 for six. Malinga had one of his worst outings, being wicketless while conceding 84 runs in his 10 overs. Sri Lanka packed up for 233.

There was an easier face-off next, but the spirited Afghans stretched the Lankans. Malinga was close to his best, though not initially. As Afghanistan built up their innings, Malinga ran through the lower order. He went past Mohammad Nab’s swinging willow, to strike the timber behind. He had Mirwais Ashraf edging into the hands of long-leg. Finally, he grabbed the last wicket, having Afsar Zazai snapped up at slip. Malinga returned with a bag of three for 41 in 9.4 overs as Afghanistan totalled 232. Sri Lanka had to dig deep to pull off a four-wicket win.

As the top three Sri Lankan batsmen began their run-spree in the tournament, Sri Lanka hoisted 332 for one off the Bangla attack. Malinga stunned them immediately, bringing the second delivery in sharply to Tamim Iqbal, and whizzing between bat and pad to rock his furniture. As the middle-order tried to put up a semblance of a fight, Malinga bowled a nasty short one, taking Sabbir Rahman’s glove and flying into the bigger gloves of wicketkeeper Sangakkara. His inexorable yorker slipped under the bat of the bemused last man Taskin Ahmed as Bangladesh folded up for 240. Malinga finished with three for 35 off 9 overs.

England logged up 309 for six, Malinga taking his lone wicket of James Taylor, having him caught at point, conceding 63 runs in his 10 overs. Sri Lanka heaped humiliation with a nine-wicket triumph.

Malinga caused an early setback to Australia, David Warner mistiming a slower one into the hands of cover. He returned to castle Michael Clarke, finishing with two for 59. Australia hoisted 376 for nine. Sri Lanka put up a game fight but could advance only till 312.

Scotland were easy prey. Sri Lanka hammered 363 for nine. Off the second delivery, Kyle Coetzer looped a simple catch back to Malinga. Later in the innings he had Rob Taylor holing out to mid-on. His two wickets cost him 29 runs in 9 overs.

The quarter-final was a one-sided event with Sri Lanka collapsing to 133 all out. South Africa sauntered to a nine-wicket win, Malinga getting the lone wicket of Hashim Amla.

Though Malinga picked up wickets regularly, it was least productive of his four World Cup stints. His 12 wickets in 7 matches cost 29.50 each at an economy-rate of 5.56. It was the only World Cup in which he did not bag at least a four-wicket haul.                

Sri Lanka were not the same force in 2019, mainly due to the retirement of the stalwarts Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Dilshan. They were skittled out for 136 in the opening face-off with New Zealand. Malinga battled on but the Kiwis brought up a facile ten-wicket victory.

Restricted to 201 by the Afghans, Malinga had Mohammad Shahzad caught at mid-wicket to trigger a slide. He came back to terminate the innings, yorking Dawlat Zadran and Hamid Hassan. Afghanistan folded up for 152, Malinga returning with three for 39 in 6.4 overs. The fixtures with Pakistan and Bangladesh were washed out.

As the Australians went about buildings their innings, Malinga castled Steve Smith who was associated in a huge 173-run third-wicket partnership with Aaron Finch. The lone wicket cost 61 runs in his 10 overs in a total of 334 for seven. Sri Lanka were only able to score 247.

It was Malinga of yore in the encounter with the favourites England. Sri Lanka put up 232 for nine. A Malinga special trapped Jonny Bairstow leg-before off the second delivery of the innings for a duck. Soon he had the other opener James Vince taken at slip. Joe Root was battling through but Malinga had him caught behind down the leg-side. Not much later, his typically full delivery trapped Jos Buttler leg-before. The lower order could not provide much resistance, and England were bowled out for 212. Malinga bagged a rich harvest of four for 43 off his 10 overs. It was a special victory for Sri Lanka. Malinga was man-of-the-match for breaking the English back, as he captured his 50^th World Cup wicket, the quickest to do so.

The Proteas were too much of a handful. Sri Lanka were able to post only 203. Malinga’s in-swinging yorker crashed into the stumps of Quinton de Kock. That was the only breakthrough that the Lankans were able to make. South Africa sailed to a nine-wicket win. The solitary wicket cost Malinga 47 runs in his 10 overs.

There was course correction when Sri Lanka came up against the West Indies. The batsmen logged up 338 for six. Malinga was back at his best. His short one took Sunil Ambris’ top-edge on the way to the wicketkeeper. Soon, Shai Hope played on to his slower one. West Indies were in trouble at 22 for two. Despite a fightback the West Indies fell short. Malinga returned towards end of the innings, pitching it up and trapping Oshane Thomas leg-before. West Indies finished at 315 for nine. Malinga bagged three for 55.

In their last league match, Sri Lanka posted 264 for seven. The Indian top-order took the game away. Malinga could only take one wicket for 82 as Sri Lanka bowed out of the tournament.

It was a fine effort by the veteran. Picking up 13 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 28.69 and strike-rate of 6.04, Malinga played a vital part in each of Sri Lanka’s three victories. Ever a threat with his full-pitched deliveries, mixed with the odd short one, he remained a talisman for Sri Lanka even at nearly 36 years of age.                      

With 56 wickets to his name, Malinga is third in the list of World Cup wicket-takers behind Glenn McGrath and his great compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan. His strike-rate of 24.8 and average of 22.87 are further evidence of his incisive bowling. This bundle of energy has been an invaluable asset for Sri Lanka. Sadly, injuries prevented the full blooming of his Test career but he carried on in the shorter formats, electrifying crowds around the world with his stunning strikes.

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

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'). 

Aravinda de Silva, superb, compact technique coupled with exhilarating strokeplay. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’

 

Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva, on the other hand, was a gifted batsman. During the early stages of his career he would play brilliant cameos before throwing his wicket away through poor shot selection. For this he was called ‘Mad Max’. Gradually he learnt to temper himself and matured into one of the most exciting strokeplayers of modern times. In many ways, one felt, he was a more aggressive version of Gavaskar.

In fact the Indian maestro was initially an attacking player, with a penchant for the hook shot. But after the first flush of his memorable maiden series, when success became harder to come by, Gavaskar developed into an accumulator of runs, rather than a destroyer of bowling. De Silva retained the sparkle, though it has to be said that he was a middle-order batsman who could indulge in strokeplay with greater freedom than Gavaskar whose primary task was to see off the new ball and take away the sting from those menacing pacemen. Gavaskar and de Silva were of similar stature, maybe the latter was even a wee bit shorter, both compact and well balanced and similarly correct in strokeplay.

De Silva would drive in glorious fashion through the covers, or cut off the back foot, and was quick to hook or pull the short ones. When he got into the groove he was liable to pull off a string of big scores. His highest Test score of 267 came against New Zealand in 1990-91, the same match in which Martin Crowe registered his personal best of 299. De Silva scored centuries in each innings of a Test twice, against Pakistan at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo in 1996-97, when he was unbeaten in both innings, and against India on the same ground the next season.

His most prolific year was 1997 when he amassed 1220 runs at an average of 76.25 with 7 hundreds, the most since Vivian Richards got as many 21 years earlier. In his 93 Tests, de Silva logged up 6361 runs at an average of 42.97 with 20 centuries.

The 1996 World Cup was memorable for de Silva’s superb strokeplay. His 91 against Zimbabwe was followed by 145 versus Kenya, the highest for Sri Lanka in a One-dayer. In the semi-final he hit 66 of the 85 runs scored while he was in, against India. In the final he brought up victory with his unbeaten 107. That was in addition to his stint of three for 42 with the ball. He was man-of-the-match in the semifinal as well as final. If the player-of-the-tournament award had not been decided before the semi-finals, it would surely have gone to de Silva. In the latter half of the nineties, de Silva was doubtlessly one of the three best batsmen in the world, the others being Tendulkar and Lara. There is nothing more to be said.

(Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

Don’s Century

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0

Fully illustrated

Paperback French Fold 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches

Weight 480 grams

188 pages

Available on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859  

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s finest hour; India’s triumph in the World Cup 2011

It appeared almost inevitable that India would win the 2011 World Cup. A billion Indians seemed to believe that the team would certainly win, and the team itself desperately wanted to win it for its billion fanatical followers and for one peerless and inspirational representative of God himself, Sachin Tendulkar. The team had been steadily ascending the ladder of success since its heart-wrenching ouster from the 2007 World Cup. One by one, things began falling into place. Tendulkar toiled not only to regain the magical touch of yore but also to scale peak after peak. An efficient back-up staff led by the taciturn and hard-nosed Gary Kirsten engineered the side into a fighting machine. A young, razor-sharp, unflappable and versatile skipper Mahendra Dhoni arrived to steer the ship deftly through calm as well as stormy seas.

Blessed with arguably the greatest batting line-up in history, the team crafted one success after another, rising to no. 1 status in Test matches for the first time in its chequered history of 78 years, hovering around that position in One-day Internationals as well, holding its own at home as well as overseas, and all this after having won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 that same year of 2007. The victorious side defied conventional wisdom by clinching matches and series on the strength of its powerful batting, either posting unattainable totals or chasing down impossible targets. There was always enough depth as well as bench strength to tide over even acute crises, and to cover up for the sketchy and often profligate bowling. The captain and team management made skillful use of the embarrassingly limited bowling resources, which ultimately proved adequate in home conditions. The much-derided fielding proved equal to the task, and the end result was an inspired outfit that carried the day despite a bit of a stutter in the early stages. Even these hiccups had a silver lining, for they helped fine-tune the playing eleven and to temper the arrogance of the middle-order batsmen.

There were other fancied sides too, the Sri Lankans, favoured in familiar conditions, with strong batting and balanced bowling; the South Africans, whose day some experts believed had finally come, boasting the best pace attack in the world, a complete bowling line-up on paper, replete with allrounders, and a fine array of batsmen to go with their customary top-class fielding; and the Australians, never ones to be counted out as they showed in 2007 despite sliding down the order and obvious depletion in resources, still possessing top-quality fast bowlers but little else. The dark horses were Pakistan, unpredictable as ever, and they did threaten all the way until their ouster by the relentless Indians in an emotionally-charged semi-final.   

On behalf of the minnows, the heartening performance came from the plucky Irish along with a glorious hand by Holland’s Ryan ten Doeschate. This itself makes out a case for the inclusion of some associate member nations in the future World Cups. The idea to have just ten teams is perhaps a sound one but the bottom two teams among those with One-day international status should compete in the ICC qualifying tournament with the associate members to earn the right to play in the World Cup.

Despite the odd flutter, the eight top teams took their appointed places in the quarter-finals. As expected, that is where the real action began. After Pakistan disdainfully swept aside the once-mighty West Indies, India stopped the incredible Cup-winning run of an Aussie outfit in decline. Then came possibly the biggest shock of the tournament. The unheralded and grossly underrated Kiwis skittled out the Proteas to add yet another chapter to the bemusing saga of a handsome-looking side that invariably flatters to deceive in this showpiece event. To complete the picture, Sri Lanka were as contemptuous of England as Pakistan were of the West Indies earlier.

There were, not surprisingly, three sub-continental teams in the semi-finals. New Zealand did battle hard, as is their wont, but Sri Lanka were too good in the end. The Kiwis have now played six of the ten semi-finals without once breaching this penultimate barrier. The other semi-final was really a war and a carnival rolled into one, simply the most heart-stopping sporting event held anywhere. India prevailed over Pakistan in a most curious encounter, and the fireworks at the end would have one believe that the Cup itself had been won that night.

It was an engrossing final but a relatively sedate affair. Sri Lanka were worthy opponents, equalling Australia’s highest losing score of 1975 in a World Cup final. India, irresistible as they were by now, cruised to the title amid wild jubilation. Dhoni’s emphatic hit over the long-on boundary with plenty to spare only reaffirmed the belief of so many. India became the first team to win the World Cup on home soil, the crowning glory to Sachin Tendulkar’s astonishing career and to the team’s triumphant run of recent years.  

The final:

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 2 April 2011

India won by 6 wickets

Sri Lanka: 274 for 6 wickets in 50 overs (Tillakaratne Dilshan 33, Kumar Sangakkara 48, Mahela Jayawardene 103 not out, Nuwan Kulasekara 32)

India: 277 for 4 wickets in 48.2 overs (Gautam Gambhir 97, Virat Kohli 35, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 91 not out)

Man of the Match: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Player of the Tournament: Yuvraj Singh

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh's book 'Crowning Glory'. The author  can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com).

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