Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets

The last tri-nations game between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Clubis technically a “dead rubber”but holds a lot of significance ahead of the final between them on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe want toshow the International Cricket Council (ICC) and theTest nations that it may not be long before they seek to rejoin the elite.

And in order to do this they must show they are capable of beating the likes of Sri Lanka in 50 overs matches or at least go close. They have decisively disposed of India twice in this tournament.

Zimbabwe also have the objective of wiping away memories of the match on this ground against Sri Lanka almost a decade ago when theyestablished a world record low score of 35.

Zimbabwe failed in that regard at Bulawayo last week they were sent packing for only 118 runs by the Sri Lankans, well under their 27 overs allocation due to rain.

Sri Lanka will be keen to record a secondand perhaps decisive victory over the home side, because that was something India failed to achieve, and would give them a psychological advantage two days ahead ofthe final.

Zimbabwe made two changes from the team that beat India on Thursday. Greg Lamb has a hip strain and is rested, while Andy Blignaut drops out withan unspecified leg injury for a return of Chris Mpofu.

Bowling coach Heath Streak told AFP: “We’re being cautious with Lamb and Mpofu returns for the one place available for a seamer, as we are unsure of Blignaut’s fitness.”

Sri Lanka made two changes with Dilhara Fernando returning for Nuwan Kulasekera and Lahiru Thirimana for Ajantha Mendis.

Teams:

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Tatenda Taibu, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Chris Mpofu.

Sri Lanka: Tillekeratne Dilshan (capt), Upul Tharanga, Tilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapudegera, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perara, Suraj Randiv, Dilhara Fernando, Thurasa Mirando, Lahiru Thirimani.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (RSA), Russell Tiffin (ZIM)

Match referee: Jeffrey Crowe (NZL).

Scoreboard after Sri Lanka innings against Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka

U. Tharangac Coventry b Cremer 69

T. Dilshan st. Taibu b Utseya 78

D. Chandimal c Masakadza b Utseya 6

C. Kapudegera c and b Masakadza 12

T. Samaraweera run out (Chigumbura) 16

J. Mendis c Taylor b Cremer 7

L. Thirimana c Taylor b Mpofu 15

T. Pererab Mpofu 8

S. Randiv not out 9

T. Mirando c Taylor b Price 7

D. Fernando run out (Taibu) 0

Extras (4lb, 5w) 9

Total(for 47.5 overs) 236

Fall of wickets: 1-122 (Dilshan), 2-134 (Chandimal), 3-155 (Kapudegera), 4-181 (Tharanga) 5-192 (J. Mendis), 6-199 (Samaraweera), 7-218 (Perera), 8-219 (Thirimana), 9-235 (Mirando), 10-236 (Fernando).

Bowling: Mpofu9-0-32-2 (1w), Chigumbura 4-0-32-0 (1w),Cibhabha 4-0-40-0, Price9.5-1-42-1, Utseya10-0-41-2, Cremer8-0-33-2, Masakadza3-0-12-1.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (RSA) and Russell Tiffin (ZIM).

Match referee: Jeffrey Crowe (NZL).