A heroic innings by Ramnaresh Sarwan counted for nothing for three time champion West Indies on Friday as they lost by six runs to Sri Lanka and stood on the brink of first round elimination from the World Cup.
The young batsmen was rushed to hospital after being struck by a bouncer by Dilhara Fernando just as his team, chasing a modest 228 for six, seemed on course for victory at Cape Town.
There was great concern on the field as he lay with his eyes closed and had to be carried from the field on a stretcher.
After X-rays and treatment to a cut head, however, the 22-year-old returned to a standing ovation from the fans with the West Indies struggling on 169 for seven after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 65 and needing an unlikely 43 off 23 balls.
Sarwan's big hitting got his side to within 16 of victory off the last two overs in the most dramatic finish since the opening match in which the same West Indies side beat host South Africa by three runs.
High drama
A tight over from spin star Muttiah Muralitharan yielded only two, however. Then an outside edge off the second ball from Pulasthi Gunaratne went for four.
But Sarwan's tailend partner, Mervyn Dillon was run out with four balls to go and the West Indies ended six runs short despite his great innings of 47 not out.
The result almost certainly puts Sri Lanka into the Super Six with 16 points and one match to go against the South Africans. The West Indies, with 10 points, are almost out and only a miraculous series of results can save the three-time champions.
Brian Lara was out for one, team captain Carl Hooper first ball and Wavell Hinds for two as the top order folded.
``It's a disappointing end,'' Hooper said. ``We've still got another game to look forward to. We've got Kenya then we wait and see. At the start of the day we had it in our hands to do and we have it a fair shot.''
Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya applauded his bowlers to stop the West Indies reaching the target. ``The last game in Kenya was a bit disappointing one,'' he said. ``This was a tight match and I think under pressure we bowled really well.''
The West Indies needed to win the game but were held up by a stubborn 66 off 99 balls by opener Jayasuriya. The Sri Lankan opener was guilty of running out another team veteran, Aravinda De Silva which prompted the loss of three wickets for 26.
The game under lights in Cape Town was the first of five big showdowns to decide who gets through to the Super Six second round.
Next up
Next up yesterday was the long-awaited showdown between neighbors India and Pakistan at Centurion, and then comes Australia vs. England at Port Elizabeth today.
South Africa and Sri Lanka face up under lights at Durban tomorrow and Zimbabwe hosts Pakistan in Bulawayo on the final day of first round action on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe maintained its challenge with an easy 99-run victory over the Netherlands and is tied on 12 points with England behind already qualified Australia and second place India, which has already got one foot in the Super Sixes.
Andy Flower maintained his armband protest at the ``the death of democracy'' in his country and then scored 71 as the Zimbabweans passed 300 for the second time and eased to a 99-run victory at Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club.
Andy Blignaut hit 58, his second half century of the championship, and team captain Heath Streak smashed 44 late in the innings.
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