Sarwan heroics fail to save West Indies

JOHANNESBURG: A heroic innings by Ramnaresh Sarwan counted for nothing for three-times champions West Indies yesterday as they lost by six runs to Sri Lanka and stood on the brink of first round elimination from the Cricket World Cup.

The young batsmen was rushed to hospital after being struck by a bouncer by Dilhara Fernando just as his team, chasing a modest 228 for six, seemed on course for victory at Cape Town. There was great concern on the field as he lay with his eyes closed and had to be carried from the field on a stretcher. After X-rays and treatment to a cut head, however, the 22-year-old returned to a standing ovation from the fans with the West Indies struggling on 169 for seven after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 65 and needing an unlikely 43 off 23 balls.

Sarwan’s big hitting got his side to within 16 of victory off the last two overs in the most dramatic finish since the opening match in which the same West Indies side beat host South Africa by three runs. A tight over from spin star Muttiah Muralitharan yielded only two, however. Then an outside edge off the second ball from Pulasthi Gunaratne went for four. But Sarwan’s tailend partner, Mervyn Dillon was run out with four balls to go and the West Indies ended six runs short despite his great innings of 47 not out. 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 them.

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 match 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,” he said. Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya applauded his bowlers to stop the West Indies reaching the target. “The last match 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 match 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 match 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 today is the long-awaited showdown between neighbours India and Pakistan at Centurion, and then comes Australia against England at Port Elizabeth tomorrow. South Africa and Sri Lanka face up under lights at Durban on Monday and Zimbabwe host  Pakistan in Bulawayo on the final day of first round action on Tuesday.