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It was a bad day for all those who were against the minnow exclusion from the 2015 World Cup as Canada folded for 122 in 36.5 overs, chasing 333 for victory at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Stadium at Hambantota. After a humiliating defeat for Kenya in the morning, Canada was the second unimpressive associate team as they performed miserably in all three departments of the game, falling to a humiliating 210 run defeat.

The Canadian top order experienced yet another collapse as the top four batsmen scored 16 runs between them. Captain Ashish Bagai played cautiously for a while getting 22 runs and the crowd was treated to a brief display of fireworks from Rizwan Cheema as he slammed 2 sixes off Muttiah Muralitharan, but the wily spinner prevailed getting Cheema to go for another big one, only to get an edge. Harvir Baidwan dragged the game on for a while but World Cup favourites Sri Lanka were just too hot for the minnows to handle.

The fast bowlers were extremely effective as they struck repeatedly in the first few overs to demoralize the opposition. Nuwan Kulasekara and Thisara Perera were the pick of the bowlers, getting three each. The spinners too were very impressive as Muralitharan picked up two and part timer Samaraweera picked up a wicket. Mendis with his one wicket, wrapped up the proceedings.

Earlier, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene put together a 179-run partnership that was typical of the pair after Tillakaratne Dilshan gave the Lankans a good start with a 59 ball 50. Henry Osinde and Khurram Chohan started well for Canada, bowling tight and disciplined lines before a leg injury to the former cut his World Cup experience short. Canada though to their credit kept up the pressure and managed to restrict the free-scoring Lankans in the first 20 overs. 

Sangakkara was a little rusty in the beginning, and was lucky to be dropped on 12 and 48. Looking far better from that point on, he made an 87 ball 92 that included seven fours and a maximum. He fell caught by the expensive John Davison off his own bowling. Jayawardene was the man in form from the beginning and went on to make an 81 ball century that was the fourth fastest in World Cups.

Runs continued to flow even after a few wickets fell as Angelo Mathews and Thilan Samaraweera took Sri Lanka to a majestic 332 for 7 in their 50 overs. Harvir Baidwan and John Davison were the pick of the bowlers getting two wickets a piece, but they, like all the bowlers, were expensive. Rizwan Cheema was the other wicket taker while Canada also affected 2 run-outs.

Sri Lanka’s next match is against a mercurial Pakistani outfit and they will be full of confidence and will receive plenty of rest before the match which is on the 26^th of February at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo. Canada will now fly to Nagpur to play their next match against Zimbabwe, a team they will hope to perform better against, on the 28^th of February.

Teams:

Sri Lanka: Tharanga, Dilshan, Sangakkara (C/W), M Jayawardene, Samaraweera, Kapugedera, Mathews, Perera, Kulasekara, Muralitharan, Mendis

Canada: Davison, Gunasekera, Bagai (C/W), Gordon, Hansra, Surkari, Cheema, Rao, Baidwan, Chauhan, Osinde.

Mini Scorecard:

Sri Lanka 332/7 in 50 overs (6.64 rpo)
M Jayawardene 100 (81) Davison 2/56
K Sangakkara 92 (87) Baidwan 2/59

Canada 122 all out in 36.5 overs (3.31 rpo)
R Cheema 37 (34) Kulasekara 3/16
A Bagai 22 (47) Perera 3/24

Also Read: England vs Netherlands, South Africa vs West Indies

File Photograph Copyright: ICC World T20