| FANS WILL HAVE ‘LINGA-RING' MEMORIES OF GUYANA'S ICC CWC 2007 DEBUT |
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The Guyana National Stadium was introduced to the cricketing world in legendary fashion today as South Africa and Sri Lanka locked horns in what many are calling one of the best matches so far in ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. Sri Lanka – who looked easy prey for the Proteas after scoring a modest 209 all out in 49.3 overs – won the hearts of all non-South African fans in the stands with a gutsy defence of their total that featured four wickets in four balls by fiery fast bowler, Lasith Malinga. “Bowl him, bowl him,” bellowed the crowd as both Malinga and his pace partner, Chaminda Vaas, did their utmost to break South Africa's last stance between Robin Petersen and Charl Langeveldt and win what would have been a famous victory for the 1996 CWC champions. Having collapsed from an easy 206 for five to 207 for nine, South Africa were a coat of varnish away from losing the match, on more than one occasion, as both batsmen ‘played and missed'; leaving their opposition sighing in agony at how close they were to winning and fans jumping in anticipation of an unexpected triumph by the Sri Lankans. It was not to be, however, as an exuberant Petersen slashed Malinga to third man on the second ball of the penultimate over to rescue South Africa's dreams; their score – 212 for nine. Graeme Smith and company – anxiously waiting for the on-field verdict in the pavilion – spilled onto the field in delight, hugging and back-slapping their lower-order heroes. Langeveldt – who has earlier snapped up five Sri Lankan wickets – and Malinga were named joint Men-of-the-Match. Around the ground, spectators were amazed at what they had seen and eager for more. “It was really exciting, especially coming to the end. It was a really close match and I thought Sri Lanka was going to win it. Their score looked small but, in the end, it was almost enough. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll be back on Sunday,” declared Jerome Rhatersaud, exiting the venue. Serene Seepersaud was just as thrilled by her first Cricket World Cup experience – and proud that it had taken place in her homeland. “It was great. I was a little bored in the beginning but it was so exciting in the end and I was glad I stayed. This is a fantastic event for Guyana. It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing and I'll be here every day,” she vowed. Graeme Alli and his friends complimented organisers on how smoothly the day went. Their lone complaint was something which everyone was praying for a day or two before when ominous weather threatened – the sun. “It was too hot but I had a very good time. I'm coming to all the games. This was beautiful and it was well organised,” said Alli. Meanwhile, Melissa Grant – a member of CWC VIBES volunteers assigned to the turnstiles – was smiling from ear to ear by the close of play. She had enjoyed her first CWC outing that much! “My day was a lot of fun and I'm expecting a lot more fun come Friday. I'm feeling the vibe. The Cricket World Cup is here!”
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