February 20, 2003	Thursday	Zul Hijjah 18, 1423

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PAARL (South Africa), Feb 19: Canada were routed for the lowest total in one-day international history as Sri Lanka coasted to a crushing nine-wicket victory in World Cup Group ‘B’ on Wednesday.

Canada collapsed to 36 all out in 18.4 overs before Sri Lanka eased home in only 4.4 overs, completing the second fastest run-chase ever in One-day Internationals.

Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas, with three for 15, and his new-ball partner Prabath Nissanka, with a career-best four for 12, made the most of swinging conditions and poor batting technique.

The North Americans’ total eclipsed the previous lowest in one-day history, Zimbabwe’s 38 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2001. Sri Lanka overhauled that target in only 4.2 overs, the fastest run-chase in One-day Internationals.

Canada had also held the previous record low for the World Cup, having been bowled out for 45 by England at Old Trafford in 1979.

“We had hoped to put up a better fight, although we appreciate that Sri Lanka are one of the best one-day sides in the world,” said Canada captain Joe Harris.

“It was a pretty good wicket out there and I think the pressure just got the better of us.”

Although Canada produced the first major upset of the tournament with a 60-run victory over Bangladesh in their opening game, not one of their batsman reached double figures against Sri Lanka.

Their top-scorers were opener Desmond Chumney and Harris, who both made nine.

Nissanka made the initial breakthrough in the second over when John Davison edged a superb leg-cutter behind to depart for no score.

Vaas, who claimed six for 25 in Sri Lanka’s 10-wicket demolition of Bangladesh last week, trapped Fazil Sattaur lbw for nought with an inswinger as the batsman pushed half forward in the fifth over.

The left-arm seamer then removed Chumney, for nine, with a lifting delivery that was edged behind before Ian Billcliff, Canada’s best batsman in the tournament, was leg before for one playing back to a ball that kept a little low.

Canada plunged into deeper trouble at 12 for six in the 11th over when Nissanka claimed two wickets in successive deliveries, Nicholas De Groot leg before for no score and Ishwar Maraj trapped in front for a golden duck.

Harris was the next to go, but in rather unfortunate fashion, hitting his wicket with his bat as he tried to avoid a Nisanka bouncer.

Seam bowler Dilhara Fernando, with two for four, and off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, with one for three, mopped up the tail as Canada’s innings disintegrated.

Sri Lanka lost Jayasuriya for nine, but Marvan Atapattu finished unbeaten on 24 as the 1996 world champions made short work of chasing their paltry target.