T20 ICC WORLD TWENTY20 WEST INDIES 2010 - Super Eight: SL Vs WI

T20 ICC

World Cup

Twenty20

West Indies

MAHELA MAYHEM

Jayawardene Magic Leaves West Indies Spellbound In Super-Eight Clash

Brigetown (Barbados): Mahela Jayawardene's superb form at the World Twenty20 continued as he made an unbeaten 98 in Sri Lanka's 57-run win over the West Indies in the Super Eights here on Friday.

        The opener's entrancing innings at the Kensington Oval was the centre piece of Sri Lanka's total of 195 for three -- the best by any side this tournament. But the West Indies helped last year's losing finalists greatly by missing six chances during a wretched fielding display as they lost for the first time in the competition.

          Jayawardene, given two reprieves, faced 56 balls with four sixes and nine fours as he followed up his 81 against new Zealand and 100 against Zimbabwe with another dominant innings. The former captain's average for the tournament now stands at a scarcely credible 139-5 and there is no doubt he is enjoying his new lease of life as an opener in this format.

         "Whatever the role you're given, you back yourself to contribute," Jayawardene said at the post-match presentation. Opening the batting gives you more time, it suits my game,"he added.

         Earlier on Friday, a statement on Sri Lanka Cricket's own website berated the national's team performances in the Caribbean so far, saying nost of the senior players looked "rusty and tired".

        The statement added: "Jayawardene seems to be the sole breadwinner in the batting department. He needs support." Well in this match he got it from Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (60) in a partnership of 166, the second best in all Twenty20 internationals. Only Loots Bosman and Graeme Smith, with 170 for South Africa against England at Cenuri on last year, have enjoyed a bigger stand at this level.

        "Mahela was superb again, his form has been crucial to us getting this far in the tournament," said Sangakkara, dropped on nought and 27. West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who dropped Sangakkara at slip when his opposite nimber had yet to score, was at a loss to explain his team's inept fielding.

         "We had our chances, but we put them down, "he said. "I can't say why our fielding was so bad, we have worked extremely hard on it."