Published: Nov 14, 2016, 11:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 14, 2016, 06:43 PM (IST)
Good Afternoon, Goeie Middag, සුභ සන්ධ්යාවක්! Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of the first One-Day International (ODI) between hosts Zimbabwe and visitors Sri Lanka, of the tri-nation series 2016, at the Harare Sports Club on Monday. I am Rohan Sawant, and I will be bringing to you all the live updates from this tie. Zimbabwe are in a low confidence state, following the 0-2 whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka, as they look to make a turnaround in the ODIs, while Sri Lanka would aim to carry forward the winning momentum in the shorter format as well, and look to get off to a winning start. Full Cricket Scorecard: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, tri-nation series, 1st ODI at Harare
Speaking on the Zimbabwe squad for the tri-series, Graeme Cremer is all set to lead the hosts, while Carl Mumba and Tarisai Musakanda are the couple of new faces, and rookies in the side, who have earned their maiden call up in the Zimbabwean ODI side, while familiar names in the form of Brian Chari, Tinashe Panyangara and Chris Mpofu retain their spot in the side. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) decided to drop a few of top names from the side in the form of Tendai Chatara, Neville Madziva, Timycen Maruma, Wellington Masakadza, Tawanda Mupariwa and Taurai Muzarabani, and would be interesting to see if the decision turns out to be a good or fatal one for Zimbabwe cricket in the tri-nation series.
As for the touring Sri Lankan side, Upul Tharanga has been named the skipper of the side, with regular skipper Angelo Mathews being ruled out of the series due to injury. Rangana Herath led the side in the two-Test series vs Zimbabwe, while Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decided to go ahead with Tharanga for the ODIs, with Herath retiring from the ODIs in 2015. Kusal Perera is the vice-captain of the side, while the side includes few big names in the form of Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, and many more. ZIM vs SL, Tri-Nation Series 2016, 1st ODI at Harare, Preview and Predictions
With the match being held at Harare, the pitch is likely to be on the even side. Therefore, considering the first ODI at Harare, both the teams are looking to go ahead with a balanced side. As for Zimbabwe, the likes of Brian Chari, Tinashe Panyangara and Chris Mpofu are most likely to feature in the side. Also, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, and many other too are all set to feature in the side, as Zimbabwe undoubtedly aim to field a strong playing XI.
As for Sri Lanka, the likes of Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, and many more are all set to feature in the side, also with the likes of Upul Tharanga (c), Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Pradeep, and many more too set to feature in the side, as Sri Lanka too have a star studded side, and would be fielding the best XI, which indeed would be a head to head clash with the Zimbabweans.
Squads:
Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (c), Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Carl Mumba, Chris Mpofu, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Peter Moor (wk), Donald Tiripano, Tinashe Panyangara, Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chisoro, Elton Chigumbura.
Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera (wk), Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga (c), Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Asela Gunaratne, Sachith Pathirana, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Jeffrey Vandersay.
Full Cricket Scorecard: Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, tri-nation series, 1st ODI at Harare
