Destructive streak

He may not be the most elegant batsman in the world, but Tillakaratne Dilshan is among the most effective. And when it comes to the shortest format of the game, he has been in a league of one this week.

After a fairly successful outing for Delhi Daredevils in IPL2, the Lankan carried his form into the world Twenty20 championships, playing a vital role in the team’s march into the semi-finals. As the stakes went up on Friday, with the team battling West Indies for a berth in the final, he raised his game by a few notches, scoring a scintillating unbeaten 96, the highest score of the tournament so far. The 57-ball effort, which included 12 fours and two sixes, lifted Sri Lanka to a challenging — given their bowling, even daunting — 158 for five in 20 overs at The Oval.

faltering start

The West Indies chase couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start, with fast bowler Angelo Mathews striking thrice in the first over and reducing them to one for three. At the time of going to print, the Windies were 77 for six from 14 overs, quickly running out of time with the only silver lining being Chris Gayle’s presence in the middle, waging a lone battle on 52.

Put in to bat, the Lankan innings came to life in the fourth over when Dilshan ducked under a slow bouncer from Jerome Taylor and improvised a pull for four. He produced his trademark scoop to hit a six from the next delivery.

... contd.