ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 23 - THE Sri Lankans bashed and bloodied from the time they arrived here scored one of the greatest victories in one-day cricket when they beat England by one wicket with two balls to spare in the Carlton and United one-day competition here today.
The magnificent Lankans marshalled marvellously by skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and unsettled and undone by the calling of that gallant off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan showed the calibre that they are made of by showing their mettle in time of adversity and raising their game phoenix-like to chase a huge England total and achieve a victory that all Sri Lankans wherever in the world they are living proud of.
After Mahela Jayawardene played a dream innings, the man who has had to face the brunt of some uncharitable bashing by some of the writers Muralitharan turned hero when he hit 'Vince Wells' fourth ball over the cover point to seal a memorable triumph for the Lankans. It was a stroke Muralitharan will always treasure.
The Sri Lankan supporters broke into wild cheers and in this moment of joy one cannot forget the cheering and encouragement provided by that one-man cheer squad Lionel and his able lieutenant Sadhatissa who kept on urging the Lankan cricketers until victory was achieved.
Upul Chandana played a game of an innings and the six he hit off Gough sailed over the Victor Richardson gates.
Sri Lanka made 303 for 9 in reply to England's 302 for 3.
At the time of writing no action has been contemplated on umpire Emerson for calling Muralitharan or on skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.
Peter Van der Merve told me that no action is being contemplated until he consults the International Cricket Conference.
When the Sri Lankans began their big task, they lost Romesh Kaluwitharna to a silly run out for no score with the total on 3. It was a similar act that these two batsmen did as in Hobart, but this time it was Kaluwitharna who was the victim. Jayasuriya hurt by the mix up which caused the run out, then struck out with revenge blasting the England bowlers - Gough and Mullally over the field and the two sixes he hit off Gough were sweetly timed and worth going a long way to see. His square cutting and pulling were all there, and he put to second the Hick, Fairbrother stand. Had Hick been ruled out at 11, the Lankans would not have had such a big score to chase.
Jayasuriya who made 51 in 36 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes went trying to chip the ball over the close in fielders holed out to Fairbrother off Gough. Atapattu came and went for 3. Mahela Jayawardene and Hashan Tillekeratne kept the board ticking with well earned singles and the occasional boundaries. Tillekeratne who made 28 went bowled by Croft and then Ranatunga joined Jayawardene to put the urgency into the innings. Jayawardene as playing a very mature innings and showed that with more exposure he will be one of the great Sri Lanka batsmen. He drives gracefully and with good timing and he has the knack of good placement for singles.
Ranatunga who played another controlled innings to make 41 in 51 balls. Jayawardene played an innings that will be long remembered by the spectators who were present. When he was dismissed for 120 in 111 balls hitting 9 fours, he received a standing and a tremendous ovation that was deafening. It was an innings that is youngster will remember for the rest of his career.
It was a glorious Adelaide day when skipper Alec Stewart and Arjuna Ranatunga walked out to toss. The sun was shining brightly and Ranatunga who called correctly for the fifth time invited England to bat. It was an excellent wicket for batting and the outfield was lighting fast.
Openers Alec Stewart and Nick Knight revelled in the conditions to put on 64 in 62 balls. Stewart was particularly severe on Wickremasinghe on driving him for fours. Wickremasinghe conceded 26 runs in his first three overs. Ranatunga then held on to a great catch at mid-wicket to get rid of Stewart off Vaas. Stewart made 39 in 33 balls. 64-1-39. Knight went at 139 for 44. Hussain went cheaply and then began the big stand by Graeme Hick and Neil Fairbrother. They put on 159 in 129 balls.
In their big stand what was amazing is that they put on 53 runs in the final three overs. The Muralitharan controversy apparently seemed to rubbed off badly on the Lankans who did not seem to be focused and playing with the same enthusiasm as they did earlier.
Hick and Fairbrother who have been scoring heavily in this tournament, continued their good form, although Hick was lucky to survive a caught behind off Mahela Jayawardene when on 11. TV replays showed that he had got a touch. However Hick grabbed this chance with glee to notch up his second century and remained unbeaten on 126 made in 118 balls which included 5 fours and 4 sixes. Fairbrother who is fast becoming one of the best batsmen in one-day cricket slammed 78 off 71 deliveries with 4 fours and 2 sixes. It was a run riot while their act lasted and they also took England to the highest score 302 for 3 - in the tournament so far. The Sri Lankan fielders could do nothing to stop this run flow as they pierced the field and went over it as and when they liked.