Tharanga second century on trot sees Lanka to 285

Ahmedabad, Oct 10 (UNI) Upul Tharanga scored his second consecutive century and along with Kumar Sangakkara put on 165 runs for the third wicket to take Sri Lanka to 285 for seven in their 50 overs against Zimbabwe in the third qualifying match of the Champions Trophy match at the Sardar Patel stadium, Motera here today.

Electing to bat, Sri Lanka found a resurgent Zimbabwe team wanting to tell the world that they can also compete at this level as Tharanga and Jayasuriya found the runs a bit hard to come.

In fact, Zimbabwe should have drawn first blood in the third over but wicketkeeper Taylor dropped a regulation leg side catch of Jayasuriya off the bowling of Ireland with the batsman on one and the Lankascore on six. At the other end Tharanga fresh from his hundred against Bangladesh three days back continued in the same vein and opened the scoring with a slashing cover drive off Ireland in the very first over.

The left handed Tharanga then took a liking to T Mupariwa hitting a cover drive and then lofting him for a huge straight six to set the tone.

However, an inspired piece of fielding by Elton Chigumbura saw the end of Jayasuriya for nine. Tharanga played the ball into the off side and Jayasuriya immediately set off for a run but was sent back.

A good cut off from covers by Chigumbura and then a direct hit at the non strikers end saw Jayasuriya short of his ground.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene could not last long this time as he chased a wide delivery from Ireland only to edge it to keeper Taylor who made no mistake as Lanka slumped to 49 for two with Jayawardene making only four.

Kumar Sangakkara then joined Tharanga and the two slowly but surely set up Lanka for a big score. Tharanga reached his 50 off just 62 balls. With Sangakkara also striking the ball neatly, the duo sent all the Zimbabwe bowlers and fielders on a leather hunt as another 300 plus score looked in the offing.

If Tharanga was the master of the off side, then Sangakkara showed his finesse with some delectable shots on the leg side.

Tharanga was most severe on off spinner T Kamungozi hitting him for three boundaries in an over.

He blazed to his sixth hundred of his career from 31 matches in just 120 balls with 12 hits to the fence and one over it.

Sangakkara also reached his 50 in just 66 balls with four boundaries.

However, a change in bowling did the trick for the Zimbabweans as part timer Stuart Matsikenyeri was brought on. Tharanga looking tired after a long innings for the second match in succession, played all over a harmless staright ball to be castled for 110 with Lanka on 214.

Sangakkara was also out soon after for 80 and with wickets starting to fall regularly at one end, Marvan Atapattu played a fine cameo of 33 in just 30 balls to take the score to 285.

UNI