India bowl their way to series lead

Published on Sunday 24 August 2008 22:51

INDIA’S seamers destroyed the Sri Lankan batting to fashion out a 33-run victory in the third one-day international yesterday.

On a seaming pitch, Sri Lanka’s batsmen found run making a difficult task and succumbed to 204 all out in 49 overs chasing India’s total of 237 for nine.

The win gave India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

India’s three-pronged seam attack of Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel made full use of the conditions under lights to cause a Sri Lankan top order collapse. They bowled in good areas, forcing errors as Sri Lanka slumped to 59 for six by the 18th over.

Only skipper Mahela Jayawardene stood tall scoring an elegant 94 off 111 balls with six fours and a six as wickets fell around him. He was caught by Kumar off Patel. Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 23.

Half-centuries from Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina steered India to their 237 tally.