Sri Lanka Down Zimbabwe in the Final
The Zimbabwe fairytale finally ended as Sri Lanka beat them in the final of the Tri-Series; the final was, in the end, an anticlimax, as the former world champions completely dominated the home side.
Sri Lanka, aware of the pattern the tournament had followed, opted to bowl first after wining the toss, and as predicted, Kulasekara was at his best: moving the ball around, he certainly made the ball talk, but got only one wicket for all his troubles.
His efforts, though, were not in vain, as Dilhara Fernando from the other end capitalized on the hard work done by his partner, and kept taking wickets.
Masakadza, who had been in good form throughout the tri-series, was found wanting against quality swing bowling, and did his best to weather the new ball storm, but after scratching around for 21 balls, he eventually edged one to Chandimal off the bowling of Kulasekara. Brendan Taylor, another batsman who looked to have finally found his feet in international cricket, suffered the same fate, but did mange 19 runs before being caught by Samaraweera on the bowling of Fernando.
The inspirational wicket keeper batsman, Tatenda Taibu, was the only one to hold his own, but even he was not able to get away by the Sri Lankan attack at any stage. Craig Ervine had made a real impact in the team ever since making his debut against India in the first game, but a suicidal run out was the cause of his downfall, just as he had consumed 24 deliveries for only 9 runs, leaving Zimbabwe 49 for 3.
That is when Taibu and the next man in, Lamb, put together the only respectable partnership of the innings, but understandably, the pace of the runs put on by them was a bit too slow. Both followed the pattern, and their first job was to survive and after taking their time started to compile some runs, putting on 90 runs for the 4th wicket in almost 19 overs.
With the score at 139, Taibu was finally dismissed for 71 runs from 93 balls, caught by Kapugedera as Fernando got his 2nd wicket, and there was not much to follow after that. Just 16 runs later, Chigumbura was also sent packing, caught by Captain Dilshan off the bowling of W Mendis, for just 10 runs. Charles Coventry was in next to join Lamb, but Lamb’s resistance was finally over, and as he tried to accelerate the scoring, Mendis went through his defences after he had scored 37 from 65 balls. Coventry then tried to use the long handle and was dismissed for 18 runs caught in the deep, and the whole team was eventually skittled out for 199 in the penultimate over.
Sri Lanka in reply looked to be ready to teach the home side a lesson, and went after the Zimbabwe bowling right from the start.
Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan took no half measures, and the pitch that was offering immense assistance in the morning hardly had any movement, as the Sri Lankan opening duo dispatched the bowling to all corners of the ground. The openers put on 160 for the first wicket. Tharanga’s was the only wicket to fall, but not before he had smashed 72 from 79 balls, including 8 fours and one six. Dilshan carried on to remain unbeaten at 108 from 102 balls, as Sri Lanka got to the total in the 35th over and won the final convincingly. Dilshan was named man of the match, while Brendan Taylor from Zimbabwe was named player of the series.
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