Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka | Tri-Series | The Final | Harare | 09/June/2010

[Sir john]

Zimbabwe close to fairytale finish against Sri Lanka

Match Facts
June 9, 2010
Start time 0900 (0700 GMT)


The Big Picture

The fairytale of Zimbabwe's run to the final is etched in every scorecard of this tri-series. They have not just been winning but have looked like a team that knows how to win. They have rarely chased targets with such serenity ever before. Where did the nerves vanish? Where did the infamous middle-order collapses disappear? Where did that tendency to choke at the sight of victory go? Zimbabwe have had only one bad day so far and their confidence has visibly increased with each win. Their celebrations - the Bebeto-style cradle-the-child, Hamilton Masakadza's 'just married' under-shirt flash, and the choreographed dance between Ray Price and Chris Mpofu - indicate a happy team basking and growing in success. They are a game away from their first triumph in a multi-nation tournament involving Test-playing nations. The stakes are that big for Zimbabwe and their fans on Wednesday. Schoolboys have flooded the stands and they have inspired grown-ups to dance as well, giving the atmosphere a carnival feel.

While it's tempting to side with the underdogs, it will be foolish to overlook Sri Lanka, the strongest team in the tri-series. Nuwan Kulasekara, a vastly under-rated new-ball bowler, will return for the final after missing the dead rubber against Zimbabwe, which Sri Lanka lost. So will Ajantha Mendis, who, despite his recent decline, sparkled in the second game against India, conceding only six runs in two overs during the batting Powerplay. Mendis has a terrific record against Zimbabwe, with 20 wickets from seven games. Tillakaratne Dilshan hinted that Angelo Mathews might also return for the final. Sri Lanka are going to be difficult to beat twice in a row.

The final will also help determine whether this is a 'win toss, bowl first, and win the game' tournament. The inconsequential game between these two teams nearly disproved that theory. After getting sent in, Dilshan started with such impunity that Sri Lanka were on course for 300 at one stage but were thwarted by Zimbabwe's spinners. Elton Chigumbura had used seamers for 13 of the first 15 overs but he won't be repeating that tactic in the final. Expect the nagging Price and the deceptive Prosper Utseya to be unleashed on the Sri Lankans with the new ball, while Graeme Cremer and Greg Lamb await their turn. An absorbing contest awaits us.

Form guide (most recent first)
Zimbabwe: WWLWL
Sri Lanka: LWWLW

Watch out for...
Opener Brendan Taylor has been consistent this series but it's Hamilton Masakadza who provides Zimbabwe the X-factor at the top. A lot depends on him if Zimbabwe are to get an aggressive start. Masakadza is unafraid to go over the top and has the skill to accompany that attitude.

Don't look beyond Sri Lanka's best new-ball operator Nuwan Kulasekara. He has a wonderful wrist position at release and he can either cut the ball in or get it to go through straight without discernible difference in his action. Time and again batsmen have fallen to his two-card trick. Kulasekara, however, is not such a force with the old ball and he could bowl a large quota of his overs up front.

Team news

Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Jeevan Mendis, 5 Chamara Kapugedera, 6 Angelo Mathews/Thilan Samaraweera, 7 Thissara Perera, 8 Suraj Randiv, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Dilhara Fernando/Thilan Thushara, 11 Ajantha Mendis.

Zimbabwe (possible) 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Brendan Taylor (wk) 3 Chamu Chibhabha/Andy Blignaut, 4 Charles Coventry, 5 Tatenda Taibu, 6 Craig Ervine, 7 Greg Lamb, 8 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 9 Graeme Cremer, 10 Prosper Utseya, 11 Ray Price.

Stats and trivia

* Kulasekara has 88 wickets at an average of 27.93 in his career but his 10 against Zimbabwe cost only 16.20 apiece.

* Zimbabwe have won 99 ODIs so far. Will they win their 100th game tomorrow?

* Dilshan has only three fifties from 16 games against Zimbabwe and his highest is 78.

Quotes

"I try to tell myself to stay relaxed as much as possible; you have a job to do and go out there and do it. They [Sri Lanka] have rested some players in this game and so definitely the contest will be stiffer in the final."
Brendan Taylor knows that Sri Lanka will up the ante in the crunch game.

"The seamers have struggled with the new ball but the spinners have bowled really well all through this season. If I lose the toss in the final, I won't be too concerned; it's just the matter of doing well on field."
Elton Chigumbura is not too concerned by the trend of teams chasing emerging victorious so far in the series.

Sriram Veera is a staff writer at Cricinfo

everyone ready to watch finale,go zim go.

 

[CricnPak]

Let's go Zimbos! Hoping for at least a close game.

 

[PB]

Come on Zimbabwe!

 

[Cracket]

Lets do this Zim.

 

[Sakss]

cmon zims....lets create history today

 

[Poison]

Let's go Zimbos! Hoping for at least a close game.

? Zimbabwe THRASHED SL a few days ago.

 

[jattafridi]

chase is easy on these pitches lets see who bat first

 

[Sakss]

Pitch report From Ten Sports' Arun Lal. Pitch is hard and looks pretty good." It looks slightly darker than what it should be and is slightly damp," says Mr Lal. "It will get better for batting in the afternoon after the sun comes out."

 

[Sakss]

Toss: Sri Lanka have chosen to field. Important toss and all that. "This is a huge advantage. Good toss to win. Psychological advantage. Kulasekara for Thushara, Angelo Mathews for Thissara Perera and Ajantha Mendis for Thirimanne

 

[Afridi_Fan]

With the toss, the match is pretty much decided.

I really hope Zimbabwe can put up a fight while batting 1st.

 

[Sakss]

Zimbabwe have won 99 ODIs so far. Will they win their 100th game today or will Sri Lanka prevail?

 

[Paradox]

It'll be freaking immense if Zimbabwe wins this.

 

[Sakss]

Zimbabwe have won 99 ODIs so far. Will they win their 100th game today or will Sri Lanka prevail?

Bangladesh have only won 55 odis

 

[Afridi_Fan]

Bangladesh have only won 55 odis

And for how long BD is playing International cricket?

 

[Sakss]

And for how long BD is playing International cricket?

1985/86

25 years.....

 

[Afridi_Fan]

1985/86

25 years.....

Really?

I seriously thought they were given proper status after 99 WC. You sure, I am wrong?

 

[Sakss]

Really?

I seriously thought they were given proper status after 99 WC. You sure, I am wrong?

that was test status

 

[Afridi_Fan]

that was test status

Thanks for the correction.

Appreciated.

 

[Sakss]

Thanks for the correction.

Appreciated.

np........

 

[Fawad2010]

I am just glad its not a India, SL final!

Losing this toss can increase the pressure, win or lose, Zims, you have made a statement bu kicking India out!


Go Zim

 

[Sakss]

zims need to get a big score ...some where arnd 270

 

[IAJ]

Match shuru nahi hua abhi tak?

 

[jattafridi]

Zimbabwe 11/0 After 4 overs

 

[dinakar]

Really?

I seriously thought they were given proper status after 99 WC. You sure, I am wrong?

although they started in 85 they were not a regular side until the late 90's. On the other hand, Zim were a quite a regular side since early 80's itself. in that sense you are right, we could count Bangla as a 'real' team only since the late 90s.

 

[Sakss]

1 down....11/1 in 5.3

Last Bat H Masakadza c †Chandimal b Kulasekara 4 (23b 0x4 0x6) SR: 17.39

Fall of wicket: 11/1 (4.5 ov); Partnership: 11 runs, 4.5 overs, RR: 2.27 (Masakadza 4, Taylor 4)

 

[adnan yasin]

too much movement in the air for srilankan bowlers..

 

[Fawad2010]

Very Slow start 15/1 in 7 overs

need a good knock from Taylor!

 

[adnan yasin]

they are missing some easy balls.. playing too cautiously

 

[adnan yasin]

nice shot .. . over covers for 4

 

[adnan yasin]

29/2 in 9.3 overs

Taylor gone .... gr8 catch by samaraweera to dismiss the inform batsman ..

 

[IAJ]

Kulesekara bowling well here. He is coming in form just on wrong time. Pakistan are playing Lanka next tuesday and I still remember his bowling to our batsmen last year, dangerous inswinging deliveries. I am glad we have have some left handers batsmen in our top-order now.

 

[adnan yasin]

94/3 in 26 overs

 

[sillyfan]

I laughed so hard, IND and SL got there butts handed to them by little ZIM! Zim cricket has not got better, its just IND and SL have got worse!

 

[jawad1]

Zimbabwe 140/4 (36.0 ov)

 

[Sakss]

taibu played a good knock....lamb needs to stayy thre now

 

[siccric]

199 all out in 49 overs


they're going to have to bowl really well to defend this score

 

[Paradox]

All over for Zimbabwe - you can rest assured the openers will have another good start, and from then on it'll just be the formalities for the SL middle order to complete.

6-7 wicket win.

 

[AZ]

SL coasting, openers go past the 100 run mark

 

[Poison]

Fairytale had to end eventually

 

[Rizie]

Team batting Second in this tourney has won all games

I guess we would have made a difference to that fact