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Aravinda Powers Sri lanka to Victory

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.

The Hero

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.

Superb Temperament

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.

Stylish Knock

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 opportunities during the Campbell - Evans partnership. With this de- feat Zimbabwe bow out of the championships having lost all three encounters.