Sri Lanka secure record win

COLOMBO – Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan combined to destroy Bangladesh as Sri Lanka won the first Test of their three-match series by an innings and 234 runs.

Both bowlers finished with four wickets each as Bangladesh, resuming their second innings at 233-5, were shot out for 254 within 30 minutes of the start of the fourth day’s play at the Sinhalese Sports Club. It was Sri Lanka’s biggest victory over Bangladesh, surpassing the innings and 196-run win at the P.Sara stadium here in 2002.Sri Lanka have now won all their eight Test matches against Bangladesh, five of them by an innings.The Sri Lankans have been so dominant against the Test minnows that they have never required a fifth day to secure victory.Four of the Tests have ended inside three days and the remaining four with a day to spare.It was Bangladesh’s 41st defeat in 47 matches since they gained Test status in 2000 with a lone win coming against struggling Zimbabwe.Five games have been drawn.Fast bowler Malinga took three of the last five wickets and off-spinner Muralitharan claimed the other two as Sri Lanka made short work of Bangladesh on the fourth morning.The tourists, who were bowled out for 89 in the first innings but batted bravely the second time to reach 227-3 at one stage, undid the good work by losing the last seven wickets for 27 runs.Bangladesh’s new captain Mohammad Ashraful admitted his side needed to bat better if it was to succeed in Test cricket.”We need to show patience in Test cricket,” said the 22-year-old, who was himself guilty of playing irresponsible lofted shots in both innings.”We may not have done well in the first innings, but the top order responded very well in the second.We lose concentration at crucial moments of the game.”We need to have the temperament and patience to bat longer in the five-day game.”Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said he was delighted by the big win.Nampa-AFPIt was Sri Lanka’s biggest victory over Bangladesh, surpassing the innings and 196-run win at the P.Sara stadium here in 2002.Sri Lanka have now won all their eight Test matches against Bangladesh, five of them by an innings.The Sri Lankans have been so dominant against the Test minnows that they have never required a fifth day to secure victory.Four of the Tests have ended inside three days and the remaining four with a day to spare.It was Bangladesh’s 41st defeat in 47 matches since they gained Test status in 2000 with a lone win coming against struggling Zimbabwe.Five games have been drawn.Fast bowler Malinga took three of the last five wickets and off-spinner Muralitharan claimed the other two as Sri Lanka made short work of Bangladesh on the fourth morning.The tourists, who were bowled out for 89 in the first innings but batted bravely the second time to reach 227-3 at one stage, undid the good work by losing the last seven wickets for 27 runs.Bangladesh’s new captain Mohammad Ashraful admitted his side needed to bat better if it was to succeed in Test cricket.”We need to show patience in Test cricket,” said the 22-year-old, who was himself guilty of playing irresponsible lofted shots in both innings.”We may not have done well in the first innings, but the top order responded very well in the second.We lose concentration at crucial moments of the game.”We need to have the temperament and patience to bat longer in the five-day game.”Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said he was delighted by the big win.Nampa-AFP