Sri Lanka v Netherlands at Colombo (RPS), 16 Sep 2002 CricInfo Live Report

Sri Lanka v Netherlands at Colombo (RPS), 16 Sep 2002
Anand Vasu

Netherlands, Pool 4 innings: End of match,
Sri Lanka innings: 25 Overs, End of innings,
Pre-game: Pre-game,

SRI LANKA OVERWHELM HOLLAND
Sri Lanka had no problem dismissing Holland for 86 in 29.3 overs, winning this encounter by a mammoth 206 runs and easily made it to the semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2002. They will face Australia in that match, if the world champions can beat Bangladesh in a forthcoming clash.

The problem for the Dutch was that they simply have not faced top quality bowling attacks much in recent times. The last time the Holland team played in ODIs was in the 1996 World Cup where they played five games.

The opening bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Pulasthi Gunaratna had early success. Opener Robert van Oosterom (0) was the first to go, trapped in front of the stumps by Gunaratne. Soon after, Bas Zuiderent (3) was snared by Vaas and Gunaratne, off the very next ball he bowled picked up the wicket of Dan van Bunge. The hat-trick ball was safely avoided, but the wickets kept tumbling after.

Renoit Scholte and Van Troost did not last long, both being accounted for by Kumar Dharmasena, who was brought into the attack before Muttiah Muralitharan. Holland were 5/52 and, it goes without saying, in deep trouble.

Tim de Leede played a few handsome strokes in his innings of 31 (43 balls, 5 fours). The only batsman to offer any resistance till then, de Leede was finally caught spectacularly by a diving Sangakkara as he pulled Dilhara Fernando and only managed to top edge the ball behind him.

Edgar Schiferli (15) began in strident fashion cracking Muralitharan for a boundary and a huge six. For someone who would never have faced a bowler like the little offie this is quite an achievement. He did not last long however, being stumped by Sangakkara in Muralitharan's very next over.

Murali then had Essmeijer (7) caught at mid on by Fernando, thumping across the line. The last wicket fell in due course, going fittingly to Murali, who ended with figures of 4/15 from 5.3 overs.

SRI LANKA REACH 292/6
The beauty about cricket is the manner in which it can nullify the best laid plans of wise men. After beating a world class side like Pakistan with consummate ease, they should have racked up a record score against European minnows Holland. They did score comfortably enough, reaching 292/6 in their complement of 50 overs. The total should be more than enough for a potent Sri Lankan bowling attack including the likes of Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Marvan Atapattu, workmanlike, efficient and more reliable than most batsmen in world cricket, helped himself to the easiest limited overs international century of his life. Just whipping the ball away to the gaps in the on side and driving through the off side at will, Atapattu piled on the runs, and with it the agony for the Dutch. The 31-year old middle order batsman ambled to 101 (118 balls, 8 fours) before falling Roland Lefebvre, caught by Robert van Oosterom. Atapattu will gladly accept this knock – it takes him to six one-day international tons.

The wicket of Atapattu did nothing to dent the Sri Lankans. Stumper Kumar Sangakkara made 41, Mahela Jayawardene had an eventful stay at the crease and got to 14 before a loud shout for lbw was referred by umpire Dave Orchard to the third umpire. It appeared as though Orchard gave the man out before re-considering his decision and consulting the third umpire. Jayawardene, given not out, did not last long after, being run out by a direct hit from Zuiderent at covers.

Aravinda de Silva too survived a third umpire referral to an lbw shout but he too got a start and could not capitalise. On 23, the veteran who has played many special knocks under extreme pressure was caught by Tim de Leede off the off-spin of Adeel Raja.

Chaminda Vaas, promoted up the order to join Russel Arnold (22 not out), slashed and swung merrily, as is his wont and survived two chances as Edgar Schiferli first grassed a touch chance peddling back and then put down an easier one running in. Eventually Vaas (16) was caught and bowled by Lefebvre.

Muralitharan, came to the wicket in the last over and watched as Sri Lanka posted 292/6. This game belongs to Sri Lanka or the rain now, make no mistake about that.

For Holland, Adeel Raja 2/50 was the most successful bowler while Victor Grandia came in for the most stick, being taken for 40 runs off just 5 overs.

JAYASURIYA FALLS AS SRI LANKA MAKE STEADY PROGRESS
Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya with an eye to getting some practice, entertaining the crowd at the R Premadasa Stadium and perhaps helping himself to easy runs, elected to bat first against Holland. While not exactly setting the turf on fire as they are capable, the Sri Lankans marched merrily on to 134 for the loss of Jayasuriya's wicket at the half-way mark.

Jayasuriya, easily one of the most feared openers in limited overs cricket did not quite make good his promise, rushing to 36 is an many balls with the help of six boundaries, before slashing one from mediumpacer Victor Grandia to Bas Zuiderent at covers.

There was an air of anticlimax to the Sri Lankan skipper's dismissal and he was visibly disappointed at having missed out on a fine opportunity to make a big score. It's worth remembering that South African opener Gary Kirsten took full toll of a similar chance when he slammed an unbeaten 188 against the Dutch in the 1999 World Cup.

Kumar Sangakkara, who missed out in the first match Sri Lanka played in the Champions Trophy 2002 made sure that he took no risks and went about the business of making runs with ease. The left-hander was unbeaten on 23 at the end of 25 overs.

Marvan Atapattu, no stranger to big scores or making the most of good batting conditions handled the bowling without any discomfort. Hardly was the solid batsman tested as he brought up his 42nd limited overs half-century off 67 balls. He had 51, and looked good for plenty more at the end of 25 overs.

SRI LANKA WIN THE TOSS AND BAT AT PREMADASA
Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya won the toss and elected to bat first against tournament minnows Holland at Premadasa International Stadium on Monday.

Sri Lanka made one change to the side that defeated Pakistan in the curtain raiser.

Off-spinner Kumar Dharmasena plays instead of leg-spinner Upul Chandana, his first game since the Sharjah Cup in April 2002. Should he perform then he will be seriously considered for the expected Sri Lanka-Australia semi-final clash on Sept 27.

Sri Lanka are virtually certain of qualification. Holland, who have lost all five of their previous one-day games, need to win twice if Sri Lanka are to be denied.

Holland have played two warm-up matches in Sri Lanka during the past week, losing to both Kenya and Bangladesh.

There is the threat of rain during the course of the match. Heavy clouds are building up to the west. If the match is abandoned then the points will be shared.

Sri Lanka

Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Russel Arnold, Kumar Dharmasena, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Pulasthi Gunaratne.

Holland

Robert van Oosterom, Tim de Leede, Edgar Schiferli, Bas Zuiderent, Jacob-Jan Esmeijer, Luuk van Troost, Roland Lefebvre (capt), Reinout Scholte (wk), Daan van Bunge, Victor Grandia, Adeel Raja.