by Rex Clementine 

Kiwis hate losing to Aussies, Everton hate losing to Manchester United and Sri Lankans hate losing to India. In sports, there is a sensational feeling when you beat the big brother. Sri Lankan cricket at present may have fallen by the wayside but time was when India feared taking on Sri Lanka like the plague. There was one man who terrorized successive Indian teams – Sanath Jayasuriya. This week marked his brutal onslaught of Indian bowlers on his way to 189 – in the finals of the Champions Trophy in Sharjah. 

The attack by the Sri Lankan captain was so brutal that it demoralized the Indians and they hardly made an effort to chase down the target of 300 runs. They were shot out for 54 as Sri Lanka secured a 245 run win. Just one Indian batsman managed double figures. 

Australian umpire Daryl Harper officiated the game and he recalled the day in a chat with Sunday Island. 

“Sanath won the toss and immediately batted brilliantly, almost carrying his bat with 189 runs. He was devastating and never looked in trouble. I anticipated a double century but he was out chasing runs for the team in the penultimate over,” Harper said.

The World Record for highest individual score then was 194 – established by Saeed Anwar. With two over left, Sri Lankan fans not only expected Jayasuriya to break the record but go onto establish the first double hundred in ODI cricket. 

Tony Greig’s commentary was top class too. Thanks to YouTube, you can access it easily. “He’s hit that one into the gap and another four. He continues to plunder this Indian attack to all corners of the ground.” 

“Jayasuriya is having the party of his life here in Sharjah. It may well be his wife’s birthday, but oh boy, he is taking all the presents himself smashing all over Sharjah,” Greig said at one point. 

Sourav Ganguly, the Indian captain was a gutsy cricketer. With things falling apart, he brings himself on with Jayasuriya in devastating mood. The first ball he bowls, Ganguly dismisses Jayasuriya – stumped off a wide. Greig can not hide his disappointment. 

“We have been privileged to see one of the best innings. Someone could have told him that you could have made the highest score ever. There are Indians, there are Arabs, there are Sri Lankans and Englishmen. They are all cheering him. We have witnessed a great innings.”

As for Harper, he remembers things vividly although it has been 20 years since that memorable day. 

“India needed 300 runs to win on a very flat pitch. I was umpiring with George Sharp and we expected a serious run chase in the night session. Chaminda Vass demolished India by removing Ganguly, Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Kambli inside his fifth over,” Harper recalled. 

“The end came quickly with only RR Singh reaching double figures. My most disturbing memory came in the airport later that night. Several Indian players informed me that they could expect to be pelted with rotten fruit when they reached their home airports, such was the embarrassment of being bowled out for such a paltry score. That could never happen in Australia. I was shocked at the thought but began to understand the absolute passion of Indians for the game.”

“It was a fantastic final even if one sided. I counted myself lucky to be out on the field in the middle of the carnage,” Harper concluded.