Lankan World Cup heroes arrive home to a grand welcome

Colombo, May 3 (UNI) World Cup losing finalists Sri Lankan cricketers arrived home to a heroes welcome by fans and officials today though the reception was affected by heavy rains.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Sports Ministry officials were present at the Bandaranaike International Airport to receive the players but the motorcade procession was largely affected due to heavy thunder showers in and around Colombo this morning.

A large gathering of fans lined up along the 28km route to the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters in Colombo to show their appreciation and support to the team.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, skipper Mahela Jayawardena said they would have been happier had they won the final against the Aussies and brought the trophy home once again.

He said the team did put up their ''best effort in the tournament but had to be contented with the second best position.'' Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya expressed happiness with the performance of the team throughout the tournament although they could not achieve the glory of winning the World Cup.

Jayasuriya, who was widely expected to announce his retirement after the finals, said he would concentrate on the next tournament in Abu Dhabi to be held in two weeks' time.

He, however, made it clear that he will not be part of the 2011 World Cup squad.

Opening bowler Chaminda Vaas said the team had to pay the price against Australia by not getting early wickets as planned, but attributed it to the ''bad conditions'' prevailed at the beginning of the final match.

He said he came to know that the Kensington pitch was going to be a batting paradise when bowled the first delivery as it showed no sign of movements.

Wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara felt the Aussies were too good for the Lions at the final and said their original game plan was largely disturbed due to reduced-over game.

''When I and Sanath were batting things were looking good, but the asking rate was always going up. When the asking rate went beyond eight runs per over we thought of taking some risks and playing some shots to catch up. But it was not our day,'' Sangakkara said.

Left-handed middle-order batsman Russel Arnold said he was retiring from the international cricket at the right time with a pleasant memory when the team became the second best team in the world.

UNI