Perhaps it was also the occasion that got to Bermuda, but shoddy fielding, poor bowling and an unfit XI left them far behind a professional Sri Lanka outfit. Sanath Jayasuriya promised much, but fell to a good catch, part of a good over from Saleem Mukudden. In fact, Sri Lanka could have been in trouble the very next ball had Jayawardene been caught in the slips. But that’s where the lack of fitness of the Bermuda team was evident.
Jayawardene went on to score 85 and his partnership of 140 with Kumara Sangakkara (76) put Sri Lanka in total control. Jayawardene’s 2003 campaign was a nightmare to put it mildly and his poor performance in World Cups would have continued but he has now been allowed to get back into form and while Sri Lanka would be thrilled with that, India surely won’t be!
This match was a good example of just how badly out of depth the minnows are against strong teams and although it was a good catch by Hurdle that finally accounted for Jayawardene, the damage had been done.
When their turn to bat came, Bermuda was indeed lucky to make 78! At 7/39, a score of 50 looked impossible and it was thanks only to Lionel Cann (28) that they got to 78!
As a cricket fan, there wasn’t too much to be glad about and for the sake of it, one wishes that the minnow team bats first so the matches are over early. Despite all the criticism, though, don’t write off an upset as yet!
On Sri Lanka and target set by Lankans
"Playing against Sri Lanka -- we have done well. I have seen them score 400 (Sri Lanka scored the highest one-day total of 443 against Netherlands in 2006).
"We were obviously disappointed with the score but know it is a special day for Bermuda." He addressed the press conference
Sri Lanka captain, Jayawardene
On winning their opening game
"It's always good to play good cricket to start off things," For us it was an exercise we wanted to make use of. We wanted to make sure we did the right things so we improved." Jayawardene told reporters
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