SL set WI stiff WC target

CHESTER-LE-STREET, United Kingdom: Avishka Fernando smashed his first one-day international century as Sri Lanka scored an imposing 338-6 in their World Cup clash against the West Indies on Monday, with both sides playing only for pride.

Neither team can qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament after disappointing campaigns in England and Wales but that did not appear to dampen Sri Lanka’s spirits as they attacked the West Indies bowlers with gusto.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne (32) put on 93 for the first wicket with Kusal Perera to lay a solid base at Chester-le-Street in the northeast of England. Perera was run out for 64 to leave Sri Lanka 104-2 in the 19th over but Fernando kept up the momentum, building useful partnerships with Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne. The 21-year-old reached three figures off exactly 100 balls with eight fours and two sixes but was caught by Fabian Allen off the bowling of Sheldon Cottrell for 104. Thirimanne ended unbeaten, with 45 off 33 balls. “I played hard and I am very happy to get a hundred in my first World Cup,” said Fernando.

“They had fast bowlers but the wicket was two-paced. I am very happy to do this at a young age, I got a lot of support from my team-mates.” West Indies captain Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2-59 off his 10 overs. But, having chosen to field, the Caribbean side failed to keep a lid on the runs and face an uphill task if they are to record only their second victory of a miserable World Cup campaign. Sri Lanka, the 1996 winners, shocked hosts England to breathe life into their campaign after a slow start but defeat by South Africa combined with other results mean they can no longer qualify for the last four from the 10-team group.

Sri Lanka

D. Karunaratne c Hope b Holder 32

K. Perera run out 64

A. Fernando c Allen b Cottrell 104

K. Mendis c & b Allen 39

A. Mathews b Holder 26

L. Thirimanne not out 45

I. Udana c Holder b Thomas 3

D. de Silva not out 6

Extras: (b4, lb5, nb5, w5) 19

Total: (six wickets, 50 overs) 338

Did not bat: J. Vandersay, K. Rajitha, L. Malinga

Fall of wickets: 1-93 (Karunaratne), 2-104 (Perera), 3-189 (Mendis), 4-247 (Mathews), 5-314 (Fernando), 6-327 (Udana)

Bowling: Cottrell 10-0-69-1 (w2); Thomas 10-1-58-1 (nb2); Gabriel 5-0-46-0 (w1, nb1); Holder 10-0-59-2 (w1, nb2); Brathwaite 7-0-53-0 (w1); Allen 8-0-44-1.

West Indies: Jason Holder (capt), Chris Gayle, Shai Hope (wkt), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Carlos Brathwaite, Sunil Ambris, Fabian Allen, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Toss: West Indies

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS), Paul Reiffel (AUS)

TV umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS).