One last hurrah

Failure may be an orphan, but it can also be a powerful spur, especially once you find your life bereft of its focal point. Cricket had given Sanath Jayasuriya much to savour, including a World Cup triumph, but somewhere along the line the passion dimmed. For an 18-month period after the Asia Cup of 2004, Jayasuriya played like a veteran in decline, an ageing prizefighter with reflexes too slow and movements too telegraphed to trouble the new power generation.

When he announced his retirement in February 2006, few asked "Why?" Sri Lankan cricket was building for the future, and it appeared as though it would be brighter without him. In the 36 games that he had played after the Asia Cup win against India, Jayasuriya had aggregated just 1044 runs at 29.82, with a brilliant Sydney century and five half-centuries lending respectability to unremarkable figures.

It came as a huge surprise then that he was recalled for the one-day matches against England last June. The supposedly busted flush was expected to struggle against England's seam attack in their conditions, but being in the middle at some of the game's historic venues appeared to galvanise him. With Steve Harmison and friends unerringly inaccurate, Jayasuriya weighed in with two blistering centuries as England were routed 5-0.

Soon after, there was another century and a world-record total in the Netherlands as a team that had slid down the rankings rediscovered the winning habit. The renaissance continued in New Zealand, where a century and a 70 inspired two Sri Lankan wins in a drawn series, and a mediocre series in India did nothing but give the opposition false hope.

After Bangladesh upstaged India in their opening World Cup game, they were ruthlessly shunted aside by the Lankans on the back of a stunning century from Jayasuriya. He failed against the Indians, and squandered a start against South Africa, but the stars shone down in perfect alignment for the must-win game against West Indies. On a sluggish pitch and under a grey sky, he started slowly, keen not to repeat the mistake of the South Africa game.

When the third Power Play was taken, he'd made just 14, leaving a few deliveries and tapping some straight to fielders. Sri Lanka were dawdling along at three an over when Jayasuriya decided that something had to give. The bat started to come down in powerful arcs and the minimal follow-through gave the impression of shots played with an iron on the golf course. Tiger Woods, though, would struggle to summon up such power.

Once he decided to start hitting over the top, the medium-pace offerings of Dwayne Smith and Dwayne Bravo were savaged, while the usually economical Chris Gayle fared no better. His last 101 runs took just 68 balls and by the time fatigue set in and the impressive Daren Powell made a mess of his stumps, the game was there for Sri Lanka's taking. It was his 25th century, second only to Sachin Tendulkar, and his sixth three-figure knock since being recalled.

A lesser man might have put his feet up in the dressing room after that, but Jayasuriya came back out and played his part in West Indies' heaviest World Cup defeat. His three wickets hastened the end, and set the stage perfectly for an Antigua reunion with the English team that he so traumatised last summer. With Jayasuriya in this kind of mood, you sense that more than one bowler will need a shoulder to cry on before the April showers pass.

The story in numbers: Since returning to the side in June 2006, Jayasuriya has scored 1191 runs at 51.78 from 27 matches.

What they say - Part one : "He was exceptional today. We just did not see it coming." - Brian Lara can only sit back and admire a splendid innings.

What they say - Part two : "Like the best boxers, his blows are short but lethal, struck with maximum bat speed at the moment of impact." - Christopher Martin-Jenkins in The Times.

What he says: "That was one of the best knocks I've played because it was not a very easy wicket to bat on. We didn't want to lose any wickets so we were a little under pressure. I'll never forget this one."