Date-stamped : 09 Aug2000 - 10:24
3 September 1996

5th ODI: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Match Report

Sa`Adi Thawfeeq

<b>Aravinda Powers Sri lanka to Victory</b>

Aravinda De Silva powered his way to a brilliant unbeaten centu- ry,
his sixth in the one-day game to steer unbeaten Sri Lanka to a
comfortable six-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a Singer World Series
match played at the SSC grounds, yesterday.

The win ensured the World Cup champions finished on  top  of  the
league  standings with six points from three wins and qualify for
Saturday`s final.

Sri Lanka will have to wait until Thursday`s clash between Aus- tralia
and India to find out who will meet them in the final.  Both teams
have two points from two games.

<b>The Hero</b>

De Silva, the hero of Sri Lanka`s World Cup triumph over Aus- tralia
at Lahore early this year, continued his outstanding form in the
Singer World Series by carrying his aggregate in 259 in three innings
without being dismissed even once.

De Silva`S exceptional exploits with the bat has put him in line to
win the `Player of the Series` award where he can chose a lux- ury car
and a four-wheel drive jeep.

Chasing Zimbabwe`s total of 227, Sri Lanka somewhat suffered a mild
slump when they lost four wickets for 129 runs in the 29th over.

<b>Superb Temperament</b>

However, De Silva displaying superb temperament and a wide range of
shots shared an unfinished stand of 99 for the fifth wicket with
Hashan Tillkeratne to steer his side to victory with three overs to
spare, and claim his second successive `Man of the Match` award,
following his unbeaten 83 against Australia last Friday.

He hit one six and 13 fours off 155 balls.

Zimbabwe inserted in by Sri Lanka, reached 227 for five wickets
largely through a career best 96 not out from the tall hard- hitting
right-hander Craig Evans. He struck three sixes and six fours in an
aggressive display of hitting and was unfortunate to miss his maiden
century when the overs ran out.

<b>Stylish Knock</b>

With skipper Alistair Campbell also getting into form with a stylish
54 off 96 balls. Evans put on 114 for the fifth wicket off 146 balls
to lift Zimbabwe from a hopeless 66 for 4 to a to- tal from which
their bowlers could defend.

Sri Lanka wicket -keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana affected four
dismissals, but was guilty of missing an equal number of oppor-
tunities during the Campbell - Evans partnership. With this de- feat
Zimbabwe bow out of the championships having lost all three
encounters.

Source:: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net)

<END> Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)