Mahela - among the top ten fastest scorers in the World Cup (10 June 1999)
Rising Sri Lankan batting star, Mahela Jayawardena who is probably watching the Super Six matches from the comfort of his armchair in Colombo will be pleased to hear that he is the only Sri Lankan batsman to make it to the top ten fastest scorers of
10-Jun-1999
10 June 1999
Mahela - among the top ten fastest scorers in the World Cup
Ivan Corea
Rising Sri Lankan batting star, Mahela Jayawardena who is probably
watching the Super Six matches from the comfort of his armchair in
Colombo will be pleased to hear that he is the only Sri Lankan
batsman to make it to the top ten fastest scorers of the 1999 World
Cup, according to the 'Thunderer' the London Times. (Subject to
change).
Jayawardena who celebrated his 22nd birthday on the 27th of May is
tipped to take over the mantleone day - of the world's number one
batsman, Aravinda de Silva. Jayawardena is a wonderful right-hand bat
and a right arm medium pace bowler. The 'Asian Heroes' official Asian
magazine of the cricket World Cup (edited by Adam Licudi and
published by EMG in London) singled Mahela as Sri Lanka's 'Danger
Man'.
Mahela hit a delightful 120 against England in Adelaide. On his test
debut against India in 1997, Jayawardena smashed 66 in Colombo.
Sanath Jayasuriya scored his magnificent 340 runs in that
record-breaking innings against India. Jayawardena made his one-day
debut against Zimbabwe in the 1997-1998 series in Colombo.
In 1998 he hit 157 against New Zealand and a classy 242 against India
in February 99. His highest score in the World Cup was a marvellous
45 against Kenya. The London Times placed Mahela Jayawardena seventh
in the top ten Fastest Scorers of this year's World Cup with 102 runs
and a strike rate of 96.23. He was placed ahead of Brian Lara, Rahul
Dravid and Saurav Ganguly. Many are impressed with Jayawardena's
temperament, his wristy style, and his modesty - on and off the field
- he is no prima donna. Jayawardena has tremendous potential and he
may well end up as captain of Sri Lanka. One hopes that his unspoilt
nature will remain even though he is sure to benefit from huge
sponsorship in the future. The UK Observer newspaper said he was 'one
to watch' in the 1999 World Cup so said the Guardian newspaper.
Jayawardena is a shrewd young cricketer, a polished diplomat of the
field who is destined to do well in the future.
Source :: The Daily News