BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, 10 June 2003 — Upul Chandana ruined Brian Lara’s party with 89 as Sri Lanka stunned the West Indies by four wickets in the second one-dayer to gain a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday.
Lara hit an explosive 116 to help his team post 312-4, but the Chandana-led Sri Lanka achieved the imposing target with three balls to spare in a match of fluctuating fortunes at the Kensington Oval.
Chandana, 31, turned the match upside-down with his career-best knock as Sri Lanka successfully chased the sixth-highest total in the history of the game. He gave an awesome exhibition of clean and powerful hitting during his 71-ball knock, smashing four sixes and six fours to eventually upstage Lara. “He (Chandana) played a great knock,” said Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu. Sri Lanka won the opening game at the same venue on Saturday as they defended their modest total of 201 by bowling the hosts out for 146.
Sri Lanka were off to a flying start as Sanath Jayasuriya (41) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (34) shared a brisk 71-run stand before Chandana completed a sensational win.
Chandana put on 101 for the fifth wicket with Mahela Jayawardene (32).
