Sri Lanka pile up 321 for six

Port of Spain, Mar 15 (UNI) A 150-run third-wicket stand between skipper Mahela Jayawardene and his deputy Kumar Sangakkara enabled Sri Lanka to overcome initial hiccups and pile up 321 for 6 against Bermuda in the group B World Cup match here today.

Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bat and his openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga gave the Lankans a fiery start racing to 62 in 8.3 overs -- close to eight runs per over -- before the former champions lost their first wicket.

Bermudans went into a big celebrations when Saleem Mukaddem earned the first wicket for his side in the World as he got rid off master blaster Jayasuriya who was superbly caught by Pitcher.

Both openers made the most of an indifferent opening spell from 31-year old Kevin Hurdle who sent down a 14-ball over second time up in the course of which he gave away 24 runs including five no-balls and three wides.

Jayasuriya made the most of it even though the bowler had rapped him sharply on the finger in the first over of the innings.

Jayasuriya however failed to keep a square cut down off Saleem Mukaddem, all of 35 and playing his debut World Cup game, and was smartly taken at point by Oliver Pitcher for 22 (47b, 2 fours, 1 six) and 62 on the board.

Tharanga followed 16 runs later. Hurdle came back for his second spell after giving away 29 runs in his first two overs. The next set were not only far tighter but he also picked up a wicket when the in-form Tharanga tickled a delivery down to the leg side into the gloves of wicketkeeper Dean Minors.

The 37-year-old Minors displayed the agility of a teenager to pouch the chance and spark off celebrations around the field and stands.

The biggest cheers, however, were reserved for the portly Dwayne Leverock, who has been going for six an over in his first set of five, but full of spirit and plucky dives to field off his own bowling.

Jayawardene and Sangakkara however put paid to Bermudans hope for another quick breakthrough as the experienced pair took time to settle down and once the two batsmen found their rhythm they just went ballistic and tore apart the bowlers.

The two took taking heavy toll of the part-time bowlers to post an 152-run stand for the third wicket in 25.3 overs. Before Sangakara was superbly caught by Tucker off spinner D Leverock. He made 76 off 83 balls hitting six boundaries.

Jayawardene followed his deputy after 3.4 overs being caught by Hurdle as he tries to smash Lionel Cann. His contribution was 87 off 90 balls which included two six and six boundaries.

At Jayawardane's departure Sri Lanka score was 267 for four in 42.1 overs and the Islanders added 54 more runs in remaing 7.5 overs losing two more wickets with C Silva maining unbeaten on 55 (45 balls, 4x4).

However credit goes to Bermuda who bowled and fielded well within their limitations.

Despite the ''Dad's Army'' tag with so many of the playing XI well into the thirties, they bowled and fielded with an infectious enthusiasm that had the small Queen's Park crowd roaring approval for every effort by their fellow Caribbean islanders.

UNI