Canada collapsed to 36 all out in 18.4 overs before Sri Lanka eased home in only 4.4 overs, completing the second fastest run-chase ever in limited-overs internationals.

Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas, with three for 15, and his new-ball partner Prabath Nissanka, with a career-best four for 12, made the most of swinging conditions and poor batting technique.

The North Americans' total eclipsed the previous lowest in one-day history, Zimbabwe's 38 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2001. Sri Lanka overhauled that target in only 4.2 overs, the fastest run-chase in one-day internationals.

Canada had also held the previous record low for the World Cup, having been bowled out for 45 by England at Manchester in 1979.

``We had hoped to put up a better fight, although we appreciate that Sri Lanka are one of the best one-day sides in the world,'' said Canada captain Joe Harris.

``It was a pretty good wicket out there and I think the pressure just got the better of us.''

``We knew that the Test nations would be a tough ask in this tournament but we didn't expect to fold up like this.

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya was delighted his side had achieved their third successive win of the tournament in such clinical fashion.

IMPRESSIVE BOWLING
``Vaas and Nissanka bowled really well, wicket to wicket, and we wanted to bat as quickly as possible,'' he said. ``I think the wicket was good but, in the first few overs we bowled really well.''

Although Canada produced the first major upset of the tournament with a 60-run victory over Bangladesh in their opening game, not one of their batsman reached double figures against Sri Lanka.

Their top-scorers were opener Desmond Chumney and Harris, who both made nine.

Nissanka made the initial breakthrough in the second over when John Davison edged a superb leg-cutter behind to depart for no score.

Vaas, who claimed six for 25 in Sri Lanka's 10-wicket demolition of Bangladesh last week, trapped Fazil Samad lbw for nought with an inswinger as the batsman pushed half forward in the fifth over.

The left-arm seamer then removed Chumney, for nine, with a lifting delivery that was edged behind before Ian Billcliff, Canada's best batsman in the tournament, was leg-before for one playing back to a ball that kept a little low.

Canada plunged into deeper trouble at 12 for six in the 11th over when Nissanka claimed two wickets in successive deliveries, Nicholas de Groot leg-before for no score and Ishwar Maraj trapped in front for a golden duck.

Harris was the next to go, but in rather unfortunate fashion, hitting his wicket with his bat as he tried to avoid a Nisanka bouncer.

Seam bowler Dilhara Fernando, with two for four, and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, with one for three, mopped up the tail as Canada's innings disintegrated.

Sri Lanka lost Jayasuriya for nine, but Marvan Atapattu finished unbeaten on 24 as the 1996 world champions made short work of chasing their paltry target.


Canada’s players refuse to blame pitch
PAARL, South Africa, (Reuters) - Canada's players refused to blame the Paarl pitch after they were skittled out by Sri Lanka for the lowest total in one-day international history yesterday.

``It was a pretty good wicket out there and I think the pressure just got the better of us,'' said captain Joe Harris, after his team had been dismissed for just 36 in 18.4 overs in their World Cup Group B match.

``When we came here for this tournament, we knew that the Test nations would be a tough ask but we didn't expect to fold up like this. We are extremely disappointed.

``I've played this game long enough to know that we'll have good days and bad days, but we're still confident going into the three remaining games,'' Harris added.

Canada's total eclipsed the previous lowest in one-day history, Zimbabwe's 38 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2001.

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya was a happy man after his side coasted to the victory target in only 4.4 overs, completing the second fastest run-chase ever in limited-overs internationals.

``It was a good pitch and we bowled really well, wicket to wicket,'' said the left-hander, who was dismissed for a 10-ball nine in his side's reply.

``We wanted to bat as quickly as possible today and I'm really happy for Prabath (Nissanka, who claimed figures of four for 12)) as he had been struggling in the last few games.

``He's worked hard and has a lot of potential. We need an experienced bowler at the top of the order (with Chaminda Vaas) and I think Prabath can do that job now. These two boys bowled really well together.''

Left-arm seamer Vaas, with three for 15, and Nissanka, with a career-best return, made the most of swinging conditions and poor batting technique by Canada's batsmen to set up Sri Lanka's third successive win of the tournament.

Asked if Canada warranted their World Cup place after being routed for the lowest total in limited-overs internationals, Jayasuriya replied: ``I think we have to give them exposure (in this event).

``It's just that sometimes they aren't playing to their top standard. I never expected to get them out for 36 runs.

In the past, Paarl pitches have come in for severe criticism for their uneven bounce but, in recent seasons, the ground has successfully hosted a number of one-day internationals.

CANADA
D.Chumney c Sangakkara b Vaas 9

J.Davison c Sangakkara b Nissanka 0

F.Samad lbw b Vaas 0

I.Billcliff lbw b Vaas 1

N.de Groot lbw b Nissanka 0

J.Harris hit wicket b Nissanka 9

I.Maraj lbw b Nissanka 0

A.Bagai c Jayawardene b Fernando 6

S.Thuraisingam lbw b Fernando 6

A.Codrington b Muralitharan 0

B.Seebaran not out 0

Extras: (lb-2, w-2, nb-1) 5

Total: (all out, 18.4 overs) 36

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-6, 3-11, 4-12, 5-12, 6-12, 7-21, 8-31, 9-36.

Bowling: Vaas 7-4-15-3, Nissanka 7-1-12-4 (nb-1, w-1), Muralitharan 2.4-0-3-1, Fernando 2-0-4-2 (w-1)

SRI LANKA
M.Atapattu not out 24

S.Jayasuriya lbw b Thuraisingam 9

K.Sangakkara not out 4

Extras: 0

Total: (for one wicket, 4.4 overs) 37

Fall of wicket: 1-23.

Bowling: Thuraisingam 2.4-0-22-1, Davison 2-0-15-0.

Record lowest innings totals
PAARL, South Africa, (Reuters) - Following is a list of the lowest innings totals by a team in World Cup and ODI cricket matches after Canada fell to a new world record low of 36 in their match against Sri Lanka yesterday:

One-day international

1. Canada 36 v Sri Lanka - Paarl, 2003

2. Zimbabwe 38 v Sri Lanka - Colombo, 2001

3. Pakistan 43 v West Indies - Cape Town, 1993

4. Canada 45 v England - Manchester, 1979

5. India 54 v Sri Lanka - Sharjah, 2000

World Cup

1. Canada 36 v Sri Lanka - Paarl, 2003

2. Canada 45 v England - Manchester, 1979

3. Scotland 68 v West Indies - Leicester, 1999

4. Pakistan 74 v England - Adelaide, 1992