Date-stamped : 03 Apr96 - 10:18 Wednesday 03, April 1996 When batting volcano Sanath erupted Comment by Elmo Rodrigopulle That batting volcano SANATH JAYASURIYA erupted in all its fury to shake, rattle and rock Singapore and leave the Pakistanis praying and asking for mercy during the Singer trophy triangular match at the Padang in Singapore. In a lashing that would certainly have left its scars, JAYASURIYA that man who has been in rollicking form sent the Pakistani bowlers and fielders on a leather hunt that will not be seen for a long time to come. CASCADED From the moment he took guard, there was nothing called settling down for him. From the first ball his bat did the talking. Runs emitted from his bat like lava not only along the ground but most of the time over it, as he sent the leather over and out towards the car park, with spectators not only having to keep an eye on the game but also see that their vehicles did not suffer from JAYASURIYA`s blast. In a clean display of hitting that would even have put the great Jessop in the shade, JAYASURIYA just took the Pakistani bowlers by the scruff of their necks and wrung them everywhere as he liked and when he wanted. NO STIMULANTS True the area of play was only 65 yards. But that is up to the international requirements and in racing to his century in only 48 deliveries, he breasted the tape as, Ben Johnson did in a new record but without the help of stimulants. With twinkle-toed footwork, wrists of steel and the ability to spot the ball much earlier than most batsmen do, JAYASURIYA`s timing is from out of this world and when he is on song, one has nothing but pity for the bowlers and fielders, as was the case on this occasion. But what is most striking in this young lad is his simplicity. Even if he were to break all the batting records in the world, he would still keep his head, like Kipling would say while others were losing theirs. THINGS OF BEAUTY In this innings his cutting, hooking, pulling and driving were all things of beauty that had even the Pakistanis acknowledging and cheering in wonderment. It was a batting magic that was on show. His blade looked as broad as his shoulders and the ball flew to the boundary and over it from the meat of the bat. I was fortunate to have covered for the ANCL Group the Sri Lanka under-24 team`s tour of South Africa captained by Sanath Jayasuriya. Also covering the tour was another journalist K. D. S. Gunasekera who needs no introduction to sports fans. On that tour Sanath blasted centuries in Cape Town and Durban and the manner of the blasting surprised even the great cricketers of SA. UNBELIEVEABLE The century in Durban was watched by West Indian Malcolm Marshall and the then coach of South Africa Mike Procter. `It is unbeliev- able`, they said. Such was his dominance that the opponents could do nothing to stall the onslaught but to watch helplessly. In the only unofficial test to be played on that tour he was un- fortunate not to get the benefit of the doubt in both innings. After his twin double hundreds on his first tour of Pakistan, JAYASURIYA came to be ignored by the selectors of that time and later by selectors who did not see the talented allrounder in him. VENGEANCE But of late he has hit back with a vengeance and it is hoped that he will continue to heap the runs and wickets for Sri Lanka. Pakistani bowlers, the world`s fastest Waqar Younis, the promis- ing Mohammed Akram, the nagging Aqib Javed and tantalising spinner skipper Aamer Sohail all came in for a heavy caning. They will never forget it for the rest of their career. THRASHING Sri Lankans are the World Champions in this type of game. Today in thrashing the Pakistani bowlers Jayasuriya set up three new world records. He smashed 11 sixes, made his century in just 48 deliveries and tore the heart of bowler Aamer Sohail by hitting him for 29 in one over with a wide thrown in. Source :: Daily News (http.//www.lanka.net) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)