KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, 12 June 2003 — Disciplined work by a new generation of West Indies bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 191 all out in the third and final One-Day International yesterday.
Off spinner Ryan Hurley and pace bowler Jerome Taylor produced the kind of accurate bowling that might have prevented Sri Lanka from succeeding in their biggest ever run chase on Sunday to clinch the series.
Eighteen-year old Taylor showed genuine pace as he completed figures of two for 39 on his international debut.
The more experienced Corey Collymore took three for 28, and Marlon Samuels completed two fine run-outs.
As on Sunday, it was a stand by Upul Chandana (33) and Mahela Jayawardene (51) that formed the backbone of the Sri Lanka innings. West Indies skipper Brian Lara won the toss and asked the touring side to bat at the Arnos Vale ground.
Another young pace bowler, Daren Powell, opened the bowling and was unlucky when Sanath Jayasuriya punished the one loose delivery of the first over with a flashing square cut for six.
West Indies made an early breakthrough when Samuels ran out Jayasuriya (8) with a sharp throw on the run.
Romesh Kaluwitharana (14) followed him in the seventh over when his attempted hook off Collymore looped up for Lara to take a catch running back from slip.
Lara brought on Hurley on in the 10th over, and the spinner produced a maiden on a wicket that was clearly turning.
Hurley and Taylor formed a highly effective pairing for much of the next 20 overs as Sri Lanka struggled to break the shackles.
Hurley took a deserved wicket when Kumar Sangakkara (11) hit the ball to cover where Lara took a stooping catch.
Taylor took the vital scalp of Marvan Atapattu (25) when the Sri Lankan skipper was caught by Hurley to leave the tourists struggling at 64 for four.
Chandana put up some stubborn resistance but was unable to reproduce the big-hitting fireworks of his 89 on Sunday.
He managed one mighty six over long on off Collymore and moved to 33 before Taylor’s pace trapped him lbw.
The West Indies removed another dangerman when Samuels took a brilliant catch at mid-on from a powerful pull shot by Kumar Dharmasena (21).
Jaywardene edged his way to 51 before he was bowled by a Collymore full toss.
Samuels helped mop up the tail with a brilliant long range throw to run out Chaminda Vaas for six, and the innings ended in the final over Chris Gayle bowled Muttiah Muralitharan for four.
Indian Spinner Harbhajan Looking
for Experience in England
In New Delhi, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh yesterday said he was hoping to improve his skills during a stint with Lancashire in the English county season.
“Bowling on the bouncier tracks of England is always a good experience,” said Harbhajan. “I think it will be the best way to utilise the off-season and prepare for the season ahead.”
Harbhajan, who has been nursing a niggling injury to his bowling hand, had to play in a triangular series in Dhaka in April as several other players had already opted out due to injuries.
In the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble and Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan was one of the senior players in the ranks for the tournament, which also featured a new-look South African team. Harbhajan was used sparingly in Dhaka and was hoping to get good match practice ahead of a busy next season.
