Peerless Jayasuriya is cricket's version of Tiger Woods:Moody

Sanath Jayasuriya's devastating willow-wielding ability has drawn comparisions with Tiger Wood's supremely effective club swing and Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody, infact, goes on to proclaim that the Matara marauder is cricket's version of the world's best golfer.

The peerless southpaw can execute almost impossible shots and, on his day, is ''simply impossible'' to bowl at, said Moody whose team takes on defending champions Australia in a high-voltage Super Eight clash tomorrow.

''He's a natural sportsman, he's got an incredible eye, and his bat speed is as quick as anyone's bat speed in the game,'' Moody was quoted as saying by 'The Age'.

''You talk about Tiger Woods' club head speed, well Jayasuriya is the cricket version of that,'' he said.

''He plays shots that you would think were impossible to execute.

You see 'Gilly' (Adam Gilchrist) and guys like that play some amazing shots, but I've seen shots that Jayasuriya plays that no one else could get close to.'' The 37-year old has been in ominous touch, hitting two centuries in the tournament so far. The devoted Buddhist retired, briefly, from Test cricket only to change his mind and has been the back bone of Sri Lankan batting ever since.

''He's unique. And on his day you can't bowl to him. It's as simple as that, you cannot bowl to him,'' Moody said. ''And the great thing about Jayasuriya is that, yes, he's 37, but he's desperate to continue to improve his game without resting on the World Cup in '96 or anything like that. He is as hungry as he's ever been.'' Jayasuriya, who last week eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar as the most experienced limited-overs player in the game, averages only 22.34 against Australia, commands tremendous respect form the Aussies.

''He is still a class player, there's no doubt about that,'' said Glenn McGrath, who has scapled him 12 times. ''He's a very destructive batsman and he's done very well this tournament.

Ricky Ponting seconds his veteran bowler's statement and removing Jayasuriya early tops his agenda.

''He's a champion one-day player. He's been around a long time and he's got a great record,'' Ponting said.

''I think they probably don't rely on him as much as they did a couple of years ago. But if you can knock him over early, you feel as if you have taken out one of the most dangerous players in world cricket.'' UNI XC DH SAM KP1714

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