Cricket: Class of Lara proves decisive
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sri Lanka 188-6; West Indies 190-3
West Indies win by seven wickets
THE second Hero Cup semi-final here failed to live up to India's remarkable two-run victory in the first. Sri Lanka were no match for the West Indies, who now meet India in tomorrow's final.
Sri Lanka, having been put in, lost their first five wickets for 77, but Aravinda De Silva and Ruwan Kalpage then pulled the innings round and they finished on 188 for 6.
There was plenty of excitement at the start of the West Indies innings, when Pramodya Wickramasinghe removed Desmond Haynes and Phil Simmons in his first two overs. Haynes shuffled across his stumps to his first ball and was palpably lbw and then Simmons played forward with his bat away from his body and was caught at second slip.
This brought together the two left-handers. Brian Lara and Keith Arthurton, and with some glorious strokeplay they punished some poor bowling backed up by worse fielding.
Lara and Arthurton added 163 in 219 minutes before Lara lost concentration and was bowled driving wildly at the off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Richie Richardson took his place, and there were no further slip-ups.
Lara was made man of the match for his innings 82, which took 119 balls and confirmed his brilliance as a stroke-maker, while Arthurton continued to bat with his new- found sense of maturity.
The Sri Lankans had begun well, with Roshan Mahahama and Sanath Jayasuriya both going for their strokes. Once wickets began to fall, however, the run rate dried up. They were then given an outside chance by a robust partnership of 109 in 116 balls between De Silva and Kalpage. They took 42 off the last four overs, De Silva even driving Curtly Ambrose over extra cover for six.
HERO CUP Semi-final (Calcutta): Sri Lanka 188 for 6 (PA De Silva 68, RS Kalpage 41no); West Indies 190 for 3 (BC Lara 82, KLT Arthurton 72). West Indies won by seven wickets.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments