The World champions are all set for today's semi-final clash against South Africa. The Lankan cricketers took care of each and everything in their 2-_ hour final practice session at the BUET ground yesterday. Besides the batting, bowling and fielding, they honed their 'bowl-out' skill.
Excepting skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and Marvan Atapattu all the players demonstrated their expertise in the 'bowl-out', a formula similar to the tiebreaker in football. If needed, the unique 'bowl-out' formula will be used in the ongoing Wills International Cup to get a result from an abandoned match. In this method, five bowlers from each team will bowl two deliveries each and the team hitting the stumps most will be declared winners. If the score remains tied from the first twenty deliveries, the result will be decided through sudden death formula.
Even the Lankan physio, Alex Koun Touri, had his time at the nets. Much to the amusement of a few hundred spectators at the ground, Alex and wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana showed remarkable success compared to the regular bowlers.
Ranjit happy with his role
Only a few months back, Ranjit Fernando was a popular TV commentator before stepping into the shoes of another successful Sri Lankan, Dulip Mendis. And the amiable islander took virtually no time to prove his mettle.
``It took a little bit of time to settle in, but I'm enjoying it now,'' said the former Test cricketer.
When asked to compare the two roles, he said, ``Commentating is a very comfortable job. You know you're not subject to criticism. In fact, you're criticising people. But when you're manager it's different. Every one is looking over your shoulder. You're subject to lot of responsibility and also you've to do the things the right way. You can be criticised if any thing goes wrong. So you have to be careful what you do.''
It is so far so good for Fernando. It seems he knows what he is doing.
The soothsayer
Here comes a new soothsayer. Cuthbert Gordon Greenidge knew that West Indies would win the match against Pakistan. The Caribbean cricket coach of Bangladesh was present at the BCB hospitality box along with his wife Patricia to watch his countrymen in action yesterday. He was found in a jovial mood as West Indies sent Pakistan on a leather hunt. The famous 'Flush' Gordon was walking on air as his fellow Barbadian Philo Wallace scored a scintillating 58-ball 79. When asked who's going to win, the star of the yore promptly forecast, ``Take it from me, West Indies will win.'' Windies won the match by 30 runs. Long live Gordon, the fortune-teller!
Wicketkeeper Sohail
Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail was forced to make his debut in wicketkeeping yesterday. He had to stand in for stumper Moin Khan, who received a nasty blow on his left knee from an Azhar Mahmood delivery when the play was 1.3 overs old. The left-handed opener had a torrid time behind the wicket with the fast-bowler Wasim Akram in full fury. He heaved a huge sigh of relief when Moin returned to the field to resume his job in the 8th over.
Pat on the eye
With the fall of the wicket of opener Stuart Williams, the Pakistan cricketers rushed to have a high five with the bowler Azhar Mahmood. Skipper Aamir Sohail was the first to reach Mahmood, who bowled Williams leg before for 14. Salim Malik, joining the 'high five' party late, raised his right hand in joy. But unfortunately his palm landed on Sohail's eye. And a 4-minute delay in the match followed.
Cricket, not interested
Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has lost all interest in cricket. Holding, who is commentating for WorldTel in the Wills tourney, said that he was busy in trying his hands with basketball. He went on to show a 'perfect' throw into an invisible basket to prove the authenticity of his claim.
Photographer Bucknor
Umpire Steve Bucknor was using his index finger for a completely different reason yesterday. He turned into a photographer. The tall Jamaican was enjoying his day-off from the match by making good use of a camera. Bucknor, famous for being lazy in raising his dreaded finger while officiating a match, had a happy hunting at the stadium while the match was in progress. Interestingly, Bucknor's target was none other than the photographers on duty.
He's really fast
A few days back a West Indies fast bowler asked the Star Sport, ``Want to know more about me? Go and see me bowl on Thursday.'' The young pacer was really telling about him when he came to open the West Indies bowling. He was the fastest on the day. The man from St Vincent was recorded at 141kmh on the speedometer. His new-ball partner Mervyn Dillon sent down a delivery that was recorded at 136 while Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram's at 137.
Little master nods
'Little Master' Sunil Gavaskar was full of praise for the Dhaka crowd. The legendary batsman has come to watch the Wills International Cup as a special guest of Bangladesh Cricket Board. While talking to the UNB, he said, ``They (crowd) support the real cricket. Everything here is good.''