SRI LANKA: CRICKET TEAM RETURN HOME AFTER WINNING WORLD CUP скачать в хорошем качестве

SRI LANKA: CRICKET TEAM RETURN HOME AFTER WINNING WORLD CUP

(18 Mar 1996) English/Nat Sri Lanka's cricket team received a heroes' welcome when they returned home from Pakistan after their stunning seven wicket win against Australia in Lahore gave them cricket's World Cup. On their arrival the team, led by captain Arjuna Ranatunga, were driven straight to a Buddhist temple where the trophy became a new shrine to cricket. The victorious Sri Lankan cricket team were overwhelmed by fans as they delivered the world cup to it's new home. Sri Lankans had good reason to mob their heroes. The odds against Sri Lanka winning had been 33-1 only a few weeks ago, The man of the match was Aravinda de Silva, who took 3 wickets for 42 runs in the Australian innings and followed it up with a superb unbeaten century. The captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, scored the winning boundary. The team's first port of call was a Buddhist temple where prayers were said in thanks for their victory. SOUNDBITE: "It's very difficult to put in words I think. The boys are very happy. They had no idea we would get a reception like this." SUPER CAPTION: Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lankan cricket team captain In a recent controversial tour of Australia, Sri Lanka were accused of ball-tampering. That should now all be in the past. SOUNDBITE: "I think that we have showed the world that we are good enough to play cricket and we are good enough to beat anyone in the world." SUPER CAPTION: Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lankan cricket team captain The win was sweet revenge. In the first round Sri Lanka had drawn Australia at home, but the Australians refused to play there, citing fears for their security from rebel Tamil Tigers.. The West Indies also pulled out of its games in Colombo, giving Sri Lanka four points. SOUNDBITE: "Not really, I don't think we will keep any grudges, that's the culture we were brought up in. And I don't think we will have any grudges against anyone. When we go into the field we just want to go and give it a good shot and try and win." SUPER CAPTION: Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lankan cricket team captain The heroes welcome is not without material benefits as well. Many Sri Lankan and foreign businessmen had offered financial rewards for victory in the World Cup. The players will now be claiming their just deserts. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...