da bet nacional： Some of his team-mates may have squandered their chances of boosting theirTest averages against the world’s weakest bowling attack, but Aravinda deSilva’s experience insured that he cashed in on a perfect opportunity toshow the Sri Lankan
da bet esporte： Charlie Austin22-Jul-2002Some of his team-mates may have squandered their chances of boosting theirTest averages against the world’s weakest bowling attack, but Aravinda deSilva’s experience insured that he cashed in on a perfect opportunity toshow the Sri Lankan selectors that his desire remains undiminished.The 36-year-old, playing his 19th year of international cricket, had beenexpected to retire after Sri Lanka’s disastrous tour of England. However,his experience on that tour, after a year in which his famously shabby padshad languished in the cupboard unused, has stirred his appetite forinternational cricket.And here, in front of a smattering of adoring supporters and four ponieschewing contentedly on a grass bank, he rescued Sri Lanka from theembarrassment of an early collapse by scoring 206, his 20th Test century andonly his second double century in a 93 match career.With support from Kumar Sangakkara (75), who passed fifty for the first timesince the Asian Test Championship final in March, and captain SanathJayasuriya (145), who scored his tenth Test century in the unfamiliar numbersix position, De Silva ensured that Sri Lanka had established an impregnableposition by the close of day two.Sri Lanka scored a remarkable 509 runs in the day, the highest aggregate bya team in a single day after the 503 scored by England against South Africaat Lord’s in 1924, finishing the day with a 348 run lead which, in allprobability, insures a three day finish tomorrow. An overnight declaration can be expected.De Silva, speaking afterwards, said: “This was an opportunity for me to getsome runs but, most importantly, to prove my fitness. When I went in I hadto consolidate but after reaching my hundred I relaxed and treated it as afitness test.”He’s happy with his game: “I know my strengths now and I’m much moreconfident when I go into bat than I was ten years ago. I feel that I cantake control of any situation, pulling the side out of difficult situations.As long as I feel hungry, I will continue playing.”And he also announced his desire to reclaim his place in the one-day team:”If the team needs me I am looking forward to playing as many games aspossible. I really enjoy one-day cricket and if I get the opportunity I willsee how much fitness work I have to do to get into top shape.”Whilst the run spree may have expected, Sri Lanka’s morning collapse wasnot. Marvan Atapattu (20), Russel Arnold (25) and Mahela Jayawardene (0) allfell cheaply as 16-year-old medium pacer Talha Jubair and 21-year-oldManjural Islam swung the ball after an early start. Sri Lanka slipped to 56for three.But Sangakkara, relieved of the wicket-keeping duties, and De Silva sooncounter attacked, scoring a run a ball against the Bangladeshi mediumpacers. Sangakkara was first to his fifty, the eighth of his career, havingfaced 55 balls. De Silva completed his soon after from 63 balls and SriLanka went into lunch on 184 for four.After the break, De Silva pressed down on the accelerator, unveiling hiswide array of shots: the swivel pull, his signature shot, was employedwhenever the medium pacers dropped marginally short, and when they strayedon to his pads, they were mercilessly clipped through the leg-side.Left-arm spinner Enamul Haque, 36, proved the most economical of thebowlers, claiming four for 144 from 38 overs, but he too was punished as DeSilva danced down the wicket, lofting over the top and through the covers.Bangladesh’s only success of the afternoon came when Sangakkara wasfortuitously run out, slipping as he turned for a third. It ended a 150stand for the fourth wicket and brought Jayasuriya to the crease.By now though De Silva was motoring. Reaching his century from 136 balls hethen scorched to 150 off another 36 and brought up his double century off234 balls, the fifth fastest double ton of all-time.Jayasuriya was pedestrian by comparison, wary of his recent poor form inTest cricket. But gradually he settled, reaching his fifty shortly beforethe tea break. Afterwards, he blazed away, racing to his century andonwards, hitting six sixes in all.De Silva finally fell as he tried to reverse sweep Haque, but Jayasuriya wasreluctant to declare, even after he spiralled a catch into the outfield, asthe poor light would have cut short the Bangladeshi second innings.
