Jayasuriya's blitzkreig guide Lanka to 303 for five

Georgetown, Guyana, Apr 1 (UNI) Sanath Jayasuriya butchered the West Indian attack en route to his 25th one-day ton as Sri Lanka overcame early jitters to pile up 303 for five in their Super Eight league match against the hosts at Providence stadium here today.

Unsually circumspect in the beginning, Jayasuriya transformed into his destructive best as he belted the bowlers all over the park for his 101-ball 115.

The southpaw sent the ball 10 times to the fence and four times over it and together with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (82), structured an almost run-a-ball 173-run partnership for the third wicket after Powell and Ian Bradshaw struck early to leave the Lankans struggling at at 35 for two inside the nine overs.

Late flurry by Tilakratne Dilshan (39 off 22 balls) and Chamara Silva (23) saw the Lankans crossing the 300-run mark.

Earlier, the West Indies, on the brink of exit after two losses in Super Eights, won the toss and put the Islanders to bat. The decision seemed to pay dividends as the new ball bowlers used the juice in the pitch well.

Powell removed opener Upul Tharanga (8) while Bradshaw scapled dangerous Kumar Sangakkara cheaply.

Jayasuriya, who noramally goes after the bowlers right from the word go, was biding his time before going full throttle. His 14 off 33 deliveries by the 16 overs were a lull before the storm as Lara's men went on to find.

He launched a scathing counter-attack and plundered 36 off next 14 balls to race to his 50 with seven fours and a six. The onslaught continued and he reached the three figure mark in another 39 balls.

Meanwhile Jayawardene was happy playing the second fiddle giving his dominant partner maximum strike. His patient knock of 82 (113 balls) had just two boundaries and a six.

The partnership came to an end when Powell castled Jayasuriya but not before the left hander had helped his team post 218 in 38.4 overs.

Jayawardene was out in the 45th over trying to step on to the gas but castled by medium pace of Dwayne Bravo.

However, there was no respite for the West Indian bowlers and the Lankan batsmen scored another 52 runs in the last six overs to take the score past three hundred.

For the West Indies, Powell took two for 38.

UNI