Sri Lanka coast to easy victory

Sri Lanka tuned up for Wednesday's final in the Morocco Cup against South Africa with a comprehensive six-wicket victory in the last league match Monday.

South Africa preferred to make full use of batting practice in a match of academic interest by scoring 137 for five in 35 overs before reaching 220 for six from their quota after winning the toss. Sri Lanka achieved the target with more than seven overs to spare.

After Sanath Jayasuriya provided a typical whirlwind start by clobbering six fours and a six in his 48-ball 47, veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva made sure that the good work carried on by hitting a less than run-a-ball unbeaten 77 and laced his innings with seven boundaries and a six.

De Silva, named Man-of-the-Match, was involved in a pushing incident with Shaun Pollock when he accidentally ran into the fast bowler after hooking the South African captain for a boundary. Pollock certainly didn't like it and passed on some remarks that definitely weren't kind.

Kumar Sangakkara also prepared himself well for the big match by contributing 57 runs from 90 balls that included four hits to the fence. He sacrificed his wicket after a mix-up with de Silva when only 42 runs were needed for victory. But Marvan Atapattu continued to search for his flowing form when he was dismissed for 15. Although the opener has previous scores of 42, 35 and 16, he is still looking far from his best.

Mahela Jayawardena was the fourth batsman out when he fell to Roger Telemachus who finished with two for 50 after being punished by Jayasuriya.

South African bowling, in the absence of Allan Donald, lacked fire, penetration and looked pedestrian as the cool and calculated Sri Lankans nicely worked their way around without making a mess of chasing a modest score. Their run chase must be a lesson for the Pakistanis who Sunday allowed the Proteas to get on their nerves for no apparent reason to be shot out for 188 while needing 197.

If Sri Lanka had everything to gain from this success, South Africa were left with mixed feelings.

The return to form of Jacques Kallis was a big plus but the continued run drought of Gary Kirsten must be something they would be concerned about. The experienced left-hander was bowled third ball by Charitha Buddika Fernando who finished with two for 43. Herschelle Gibbs poor run of scores also continued when he once again fell cheaply for one.

Kallis, one of the most gifted allrounders in world cricket today, showed his class, grace and sweet timing while scoring 84 from 125 balls. He slapped seven boundaries and a six. Prior to this match, Kallis had scores of 23, 7 and 3.

Opener Graeme Smith clobbered six boundaries in his 57-ball 40.

Lance Klusener managed an unbeaten 39 but consumed 62 balls and could hit only a boundary and a six.