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WINDFALL FOR WINDIES
By Marlon Fernandopulle
West Indies staged a remarkable fightback through their bowlers to record an emphatic 33-run victory over Sri Lanka in their Indian Oil Triangular return under floodlights at the R Premadasa International Stadium yesterday.
It was a spirited comeback by the West Indians who recorded only their first win in the triangular tournament that eventually set up a virtual semi-final clash today where India take on West Indies under floodlights at the same venue.

Needing to score 227 runs for victory the Sri Lankan batsmen made a meal of their effort as they succumbed to an inspired allround performance by the visitors. Only left hander Russell Arnold stood out and put up a lone battle with a gritty half century that delayed the inevitable. Arnold held firm on one end as he watched helplessly the rest of his team mates fall to a splendid bowling effort which was backed by some spectacular catching. Arnold was last out for an 88 ball 59 that included seven boundaries as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 193 in 47 overs.

Off spinner Omari Banks was the pick of the bowlers completing his 10 overs for just 24 runs and snaring up Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Chandana. Their usually wayward medium pacers were also spot on last night with Powell and Smith picking up two wickets each and Best and Butler chipping in with one each.

Earlier in the day West Indies skipper won the toss and elected to bat first on a bone dry, placid Premadasa wicket. Sri Lanka left out Dilhara Lokuhettige, Pradeep Jayaprakash and skipper Marvan Atapattu (rested) and brought in Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan and Nuwan Zoysa. West Indies made two changes leaving outRyan Ramdass and Jermain Lawson for Omari Banks and Darren Powell.

Skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul needed to do something different if his team was to put up a competitive total on the board and be in contention for the final. The captain took up the challenge and promoted himself to open the innings. The move paid-off despite a hiccup early on in the innings when Chanderpaul and his opening partner Xavier Marshall hesitated at a single which resulted in Marshall being run out with the total on 25.

Despite that early loss, the West Indies innings did not lose momentum. Skipper Chanderpaul and Sylvester Joseph found no terrors from the Lankan medium pacers Maharoof, Zoysa and Fernando as they slowly lay the foundation for a challenging total. Chanderpaul chanced his arm at anything that was over pitched to pick up boundaries freely on a fast outfield. He reached his half century in 72 balls with the help of seven boundaries and added 72 runs with Joseph before heaving at an Upul Chandana delivery and spooning a simple catch to Maharoof at cover point.

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