SL v ZIM, 3rd ODI Preview: Major challenge awaits Sri Lanka in Hambantota

After a humbling loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI, Zimbabwe are back on level terms against the hosts and to turn things around again will be some task. Yet, Zimbabwe are a resilient team with loads of experience in their gallery, which will always put them in contention to go all the way.

Neither sides have done anything spectacular in the first two games as both crumbled quite badly in each game. Predictors will have a tough time to get to a conclusion but Zimbabwe will be keen to register their first ever ODI series win in Sri Lanka.

The Lankans, on the other hand, have been playing some shambolic cricket, but the win against Zimbabwe in the second ODI came in as a respite for the Islanders. After quite a long time, they had outplayed an opponent in every department. When these two sides collide in Hambantota on Thursday, a cracker of a contest is something the fans would be hoping for.

Probable XI

Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews (C), Nuwan Pradeep, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Wanidu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan

Zimbabwe

Graeme Cremer (C), Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Craig Ervine, Tendai Chatara, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Solomon Mire, Donald Tiripano, Peter Moor (wk)

Focus will be on

Solomon Mire (Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwean opener Solomon Mire guided his team to one of the most remarkable victories in their history as they chased down a huge total without many problems. The 27-year-old was dismissed for a duck in the second ODI and an eventual batting collapse reduced Zimbabwe to below par total. But Mire is a fine talent with a good mix of aggression and caution and if he gets going, Lankan bowlers will have to scratch their heads for long.

Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka)

The southpaw has been in terrific touch over the last few months and he will have to play a crucial role in the middle order to take Sri Lanka to a decent total. Tharanga notched a match winning 74-run knock in the previous game and the ball is leaving his willow with a beautiful sound. Lankan top order looks quite fragile on paper and they’re always vulnerable to a collapse and hence, the experienced campaigner Tharanga will be the one who will have anchor the entire innings.

Playing Combinations

Sri Lanka

The incredibly talented Niroshan Dickwella will be accompanying Gunathilaka to start off the proceedings and they will be followed by Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga and Angelo Mathews. Asela Gunaratne and his hitting ability will come into play in the final overs with Sri Lanka trying to up the ante.

Lasith Malinga will be leading the inexperienced bowling line up. Lakshan Sandakan’s career-best performance in the previous game earned him a Man of the Match and Wanidu Hasaranga, who took a hat-trick the other day, will have to provide few crucial overs to his skipper. Sandakan and Dushmanta Chameera will take the new ball and Malinga will probably be bowling in the middle and the death overs.

Zimbabwe

The veteran Hamilton Mazakadza will accompany the on-song Solomon Mire at the top. The middle order too is filled with tons of experience with the likes of Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Sikander Raza. Malcolm Waller has had two good games and he might get a promotion this game in the batting order.

Tendai Chatara and Donald Tiripano will share the new ball and there’s a possibility that the offie Sikander Raza might roll his arm in the power play. Skipper Graeme Creamer, Sean Williams and Ryan Burl will have to bowl decently to ensure they complete their 50 overs without any fuss.

Stats Attack

368- Last time Sri Lanka played at Hambantota, they scored 368 against Pakistan.

519 – Upul Tharanga has scored 519 runs in this year at an average of 57, highest for Sri Lanka in 2017.