Zimbabwe versus Sri Lanka: Match Preview
The tri-series going on in the African country of Zimbabwe is a golden chance for the home team to show its cricketing talent, as well as its desire and spirit to regain their lost glory in the world of international cricket. The Zimbabwean cricket team has performed in the past and does have the ability to outdo the best in the business. A relatively shorter number of vague answers were provided by the Zimbabwe cricket team during the ICC T20 World Cup 2010 in the Caribbean. Having failed to win a single match in the mega tournament, the boys from Africa did perform well in the warm-up matches where they defeated two strong teams in the shape of Pakistan and Australia. This tri-series is a way towards improving the structure of Zimbabwe cricket back home.
In the first ODI match in Bulawayo, the Zimbabwean team made a passionate win versus India. In the light of their recent performances, what is more important is that they have to prove the world that they are capable of repeating it on a consistent basis.
Today’s match against Sri Lanka has come their way with another similar chance.
Some of the players of the Sri Lankan team are resting and will not play in today’s match while the captain has decided to test some up and coming Sri Lankan players by giving them a chance to justify their place in the squad. They failed in setting up a perfect target in their very first match of the series. However, the pitch conditions were also unfavourable due to overnight rains. The seamers along with spinners proved helpful on that track as Sri Lanka was defeated by India with a comprehensive victory.
But what was even more astonishing was the comfort level with which the Indian side chased the target. As 240 was not a very big total and in order to defend it, the Sri Lankan bowlers needed to bowl with accurate lines and lengths in just the right areas. However, things went haywire for the Sri Lankan team.
However, they can make up for their loss against India by winning today’s match against Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka only needs to proper cricket with no errors in all departments of the game.
The Zimbabwe team on the other hand is relying heavily on their spin bowling. They have four spinners in which Prosper Utseya and Ray Price have shown their comfort with which they can bowl within the power plays. What would be exciting to watch is the strategy of the Sri Lankan batsmen against the spin bowling of the Zimbabwe Cricket team.
The tough and angry looks of Ray price would be interesting to watch.
Sanath Jayasuriya, the most popular batsmen on the other has been replaced by Tharanga due to Sanath’s poor form in the recent matches. Tharanga will have to display high quality batting in order to justify his induction in the team.
The probables for the Zimbabwean team are: Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor(wicketkeeper) , Greg Lamb, Charles Coventry Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (caption), Andy Blignaut, Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price and Chris Mpofu.
Whereas the probables for the Sri Lankan Team are: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan (caption), Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews/Dinesh Chandimal, Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Suraj Randiv, Thissara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis and Dilhara Fernando.
According to the statistics, the economy rate of Ray Price while playing against Sri Lanka is 3.36 in his last seven matches.
Upul Tharanga on the other hand averages 32.40 from the 82 ODI’s that he has played. He has made 231 runs at an average of 38.50 in his last seven matches versus Zimbabwe. Upul has also made a century against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe will be definitely looking to repeat their tremendous performance that they put up in the match against India and thus give another surprise to their fans. On the other hand, the Sri Lanka team will try their level best to win this match after losing to India earlier in the tournament.
Both the teams are capable of winning today’s match. It is just a matter of making the right game plan with timely execution and an intelligent cricketing mind that makes the difference in the end.
Tags: