After an entertaining start to the series with two high-scoring games, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are set to meet in the series decider today (21) at the Pallekele International Stadium, commencing at 2.30pm.
The Sri Lankan team led by Dasun Shanaka is ready to bounce back in this game to win the series. The interim coach of the Sri Lanka team Rumesh Ratnayake said that the focus is on Zimbabwe’s two experienced left handed batters skipper Craig Ervine and Sean Williams who have scored the most runs in the last two games. Williams is the highest run scorer with 148 runs in two matches is in top form while Ervine came into form at the last match missing his fourth ODI century by just nine runs and Sri Lankan bowlers will try to get the wickets of both Ervine and Williams early.
The Interim coach Ratnayake further said that there is a possibility of one change in today’s game and right arm spin all rounder Ramesh Mendis is likely to be included. It is reliably learnt the change is going to be made at the expense of Nuwan Pradeep who was punished heavily by the Zimbabwe batters during both matches. Pradeep has taken two wickets but given away 54 runs in his ten-over spell at the first ODI while in the second ODI once again he gave away 74 runs taking two wickets. The interim coach is not at all happy for giving the opponents a score of 300 runs.
Sri Lanka is playing this series with five specialized batters. Pathum Nissanka (opener), Kusal Mendis (opener), Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and Charith Asalanka. If they will include Ramesh Mendis for the team it is going to be beneficial for them as the all-rounder will strengthen the batting lineup.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka who came back with a maiden ODI century in the last game has to continue his good form and most importantly focus on the player's consistent batting. Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, and the experienced Dinesh Chandimal all scored half-centuries at the first ODI but fell early in the lineup putting more pressure on the middle order batters in the second game. Sri Lanka have to focus on this point to get back to the game today. Especially the absence of Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva make room for the youngsters to take responsibility to build up the innings and this is a good opportunity for them.
The presence of Dushmantha Chameera for the second ODI couldn’t make an impression but his current form was always expected to get an early breakthrough to damage the Zimbabwe top order. Chamika Karunaratne and skipper Dasun Shanaka also have to make good challenges as pacemen, especially Karunaratne who can bowl tightly at death overs is very important for the Sri Lanka team. Two spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay have to put more pressure to get wickets while the inclusion of Ramesh Mendis the off spinner once again has a more strong spin department.
Meanwhile, it would be a surprise to see any changes to the Zimbabwean team that played so effectively in the last match. Takudzwanashe Kaitano will be disappointed not to have continued momentum on after getting a start and the same could probably be said of Regis Chakavba’s contribution, but it has been a challenging series for both at the top of the order.
Craig Ervine made a sharp improvement from the first match with 91 from 98 balls, whilst Sean Williams contributed again with a well-made 48, always strengthening their batting line up and Sikandar Raza is the key batsman in the middle order to increase their runs.
Skipper Craig Ervine is very happy about their place bowlers Blessing Muzarambani, Tendai Chatara who got an early breakthrough to get rid of Sri Lanka top order at the last game. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe head coach Lalchand Rajput who missed the first two One-Day Internationals due to COVID-19 is once again back to his duties after a recovery period and that always will be a big boost to the Zimbabwe team for this important decider game.
Add new comment