Jayasuriya century - another record for Providence Stadium
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
April 2, 2007
SRI Lanka set another record at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence with Sanath Jayasuriya hitting the first-ever century at the new venue. He was named match-of-the-match as West Indies captain Brian Lara expressed optimism to still make the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup despite the third loss.
At the post-match press conference, Jayasuriya, who hit his 25th One-Day International (ODI), said the match-winning century was the most memorable of them all.
“This particular century, I think I’ll never forget this hundred.”
He said it was one of his best knocks because he batted under a lot of pressure.
“I always want to perform for my country and give the captain 100 percent to win.”
Captain Mahela Jayewardene said the wicket was not easy early in the match and if he had won the toss the would have fielded.
He said they just batted for 15 overs, after which the wicket settled down and they both built their innings.
“Sanath changed the momentum.”
The captain said when West Indies were at the crease, the aim was not to give them an explosive start.
He said Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan had to re-construct the innings and his bowlers never gave them any loose balls.
“They could not take the risk. We managed to put the (run) rate up.”
Jayawardene said the team would now have to work on all areas to meet England in their next match, next Wednesday in Antigua, because it would be different, on a different ground, with different conditions.
Captain Brian Lara acknowledged the Windies’ performance was very disappointing and they were outclassed by Sri Lanka, but they would re-group for the next seven days for their encounter with South Africa in Grenada, two Tuesdays away, on April 10.
“What we’ve done so far, it’s dismal.”
He said it was difficult to play four matches on sandy outfields in ten days and half the team were playing in a World Cup for the first time.
The captain said the change in the opening pair was to have a right and left-hander at the top having previously played two left-handers and have experience down the order in Chanderpaul.
Lara said the Windies found themselves in early trouble, losing three wickets and Chanderpaul and Sarwan tried their best to do a repair job hence the slow run-rate.
He said the crowd was outstanding at Providence and needed the West Indian fans to still support the team.
“There is still a chance.”
The captain acknowledged it would take a lot of good cricket and luck to reach the semifinals and would use the break to get some rest, do some homework and classroom work.
Lara pointed out that Sri Lanka still had to face Australia, New Zeeland and England, while the Windies have to play South Africa, Bangladesh and England and by the permutation, the Windies could have an opportunity.
He said the team would be watching the Australia/England match on Sunday and he would like the match against West Indies to be one that would decide the place in the semis.