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Sarwan's heroics not enough as West Indies lose to Sri Lanka ; Zimbabwe beats Dutch
Associated Press,
Fri February 28, 2003 16:17 EST .
ROBERT MILLWARD - AP Sports Writer - JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) A heroic innings by Ramnaresh Sarwan counted for nothing for three time champion West Indies on Friday as they lost by six runs to Sri Lanka - and stood on the brink of first round elimination from the World Cup. The result almost certainly puts Sri Lanka - into the Super Six with 16 points and one match to go against the South Africans. The West Indies, with 10 points, are almost out and only a miraculous series of results can save the three-time champions. Brian Lara was out for one, team captain Carl Hooper first ball and Wavell Hinds for two as the top order folded. ``It's a disappointing end,'' Hooper said. ``We've still got another game to look forward to. We've got Kenya then we wait and see. At the start of the day we had it in our hands to do and we have it a fair shot.'' Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya applauded his bowlers to stop the West Indies reaching the target. ``The last game in Kenya was a bit disappointing one,'' he said. ``This was a tight match and I think under pressure we bowled really well.'' The West Indies needed to win the game but were held up by a stubborn 66 off 99 balls by opener Jayasuriya. The Sri Lankan opener was guilty of running out another team veteran, Aravinda De Silva which prompted the loss of three wickets for 26. The game under lights in Cape Town was the first of five big showdowns to decide who gets through to the Super Six second round. Next up on Saturday is the long-awaited showdown between neighbors India and Pakistan at Centurion, and then comes Australia vs. England at Port Elizabeth on Sunday. South Africa and Sri Lanka - face up under lights at Durban on Monday and Zimbabwe hosts Pakistan in Bulawayo on the final day of first round action on Tuesday. Zimbabwe maintained its challenge with an easy 99-run victory over the Netherlands and is tied on 12 points with England behind already qualified Australia and second place India, which has already got one foot in the Super Sixes. Andy Flower maintained his armband protest at the ``the death of democracy'' in his country and then scored 71 as the Zimbabweans passed 300 for the second time and eased to a 99-run victory at Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club. Andy Blignaut hit 58, his second half century of the championship, and team captain Heath Streak smashed 44 late in the innings. Streak said his team would have to perform better against Pakistan at the same ground on Tuesday. ``We will have to be domineering and more confident at the top and not put our middle order under pressure,'' said Streak who was confident that Grant Flower would have recovered from an injured finger to return to the lineup. The Dutch, who hope to beat fellow minnow Namibia in their final match at Bloemfontein on Monday, scored a championship high 202 for nine but were always behind the scoring target. Team captain Roland Lefebvre thought that his team's appearance at the World Cup would make little difference to the development of the sport at home. ``It's just not covered on TV'' he said, ``so there's little interest. And this beautiful game really isn't in our culture.'' The players tried not to be distracted by a demonstration against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe just as the first Netherlands wicket fell. Spectators waved two banners, one reading ``Mugabe equals Hitler'' and the other, carried by a black man and a white man, stated ``Zimbabwe Needs Justice.'' Police gathered at the scene and took away the banners, but spectators said they made no arrests. The crowd sang songs and danced in unison. A dancer said one of the songs had as its theme ``We hate what you are doing to us.'' (rjm)
Published: Fri Feb 28 18:17:53 EST 2003
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IT'S NOT CRICKET, STUPID, IT'S COMPUTERS, LOVELY COMPUTERS
Fulbright Scholar Brings Computers to Urban Disadvantaged Children in
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
