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| Sunday, 29 June 2003 |
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New boy Fidel (5/36) has Sri Lanka on the run Sa'adi Thawfeeq reporting from Caribbean JAMAICA, Kingston, June 28 - Sri Lanka put up an abject batting display against one of the weakest bowling attacks put out by the West Indies to be dismissed for 208 runs on the opening day of the second cricket Test played at Sabina Park here on Friday. By the close West Indies had made four without loss in two overs and if Sri Lanka happen to lose the Test from here they will have to reflect back on their first day performance. On a pitch that afforded bounce and movement, but not quick enough for the batsmen to suffer any discomfort, the top six Sri Lankan batsmen all got into double figures but with the exception of Kumar Sangakkara, who top scored with a fortuitous 75, the rest of the batting was disappointing to say the least. Their lack of application caused their own downfall and allowed 21-year-old Barbadian Fidel Edwards, a virtual unknown who came into this Test with just wicket from one first-class match, to grab the honours of the day with a dream five-wicket haul on his Test debut. Edwards who is only of medium height and bowling with a slinging action similar to that of former Australian pace bowler Jeff Thomson caused some discomfiture with his extra pace and lift. He averaged around 140 kph and came up with a noteworthy performance to take five wickets for 36 off 15.4 overs to become the eighth West Indian to take five wickets or more in an innings on Test debut. The first was off-spinner Alf Valentine in 1950 and the last was also a spinner Neremiah Perry who took five for 70 against Australia at the same venue in 1999. "Eddie was the surprise element in the Sri Lankan first innings. I am sure they will be looking quite closely at him in the second innings. He's got to lift his game," said West Indies captain Brian Lara. "It is nice to see someone come out on debut and join the record books. This young man I am sure has got something special. He knows this is the start. I hope he will go from strength to strength," he said. Edwards said: "I really enjoyed myself out there. It is especially a dream come true. My selection to the Test squad has changed my life. I had been pretty nervous all week after hearing about my selection." "People get shocked when they see me bowling so fast. I worked pretty hard and gave my all. I bowled in the right areas," said Edwards. Had the West Indies catching been upto the mark Sri Lanka would have been dismissed for a much lower total. Lara who inserted Sri Lanka to bat first on the pitch after deciding to play five bowlers, handled his young bowlers judiciously although Taylor once again went wicketless, his 11 overs costing 40 runs. |
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