World Cup, group B: Sri Lanka clobber Bangladesh

This was a game that looked like it may be very tight and interesting; it turned out to be anything but.  Sri Lanka recorded a convincing victory by a massive margin against a Bangladesh team unrecognisable from the one that secured victory over India last week.

Bangladesh won the toss and followed the recent trend of opting to field.  How they must wish they tried a new fashion this morning, as Sri Lanka pummelled their way to a forbidding total of 318-4.  The evergreen Sanath Jayasuriya, 54, provided the spine of the innings hitting a mighty 109 runs, including a break for injury, and was ably supported by Sangakkara's 56 from 55 balls.

Bangladesh's response was to crumble faster than a Rich Tea biscuit in a hot cuppa, as they were skittled for a paltry 112.  Only the admirable Mohammed Ashraful offered any resistance with his 45 runs, as an incredible eight other batsmen failed to get out of single figures.

Sri Lanka are through, and are slowly becoming one of the favourites.  Bangladesh are now in the situation of having to beat Bermuda heavily (easy) and hope that Sri Lanka beat India (difficult).   
[lee calvert]