Published: Jul 14, 2017, 07:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 14, 2017, 07:24 AM (IST)
A disheartened Sri Lanka will shrug off the recent disappointment to face visitors Zimbabwe in the only Test at on Thursday. Zimbabwe, following a historic 3-2 victory in the ODI series, will be high on confidence while for Sri Lanka, it will be the only chance to regain their claim of being supreme. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 2017 – One-off Test at Colombo
Team compositions:
The first challenge in the way of Sri Lankan cricketers is to get along with new captain Dinesh Chandimal. Chandimal, one of the most gifted batsmen of the modern Sri Lanka team, has been struggling to get back consistency at par with his performance in 2016; with the new responsibility on his shoulder, there will now be more demands from him.
Mathews will not be at the rein, but will nevertheless remain a crucial member of his side, given his experience and all-round skills. Having played in Sri Lanka for some time now, Zimbabwe must have acclimated well and it will get tougher for the hosts to peer through their confidence and topple them.
Sri Lanka’s problem of finding a top order at pat with their strong middle order seems to have come to an end with everyone scoring runs consistently. This brings back the balance in the side.
Probably the biggest weapon for Sri Lanka in the longest format will be the presence of Rangana Herath, still a threat to any batsman. Heath Streak wants Zimbabwe to replicate ODI series performance in Test vs Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Likely XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (c), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Asela Gunaratne, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Kumara.
Talking about Zimbabwe, they can be called the underdogs in this format, as the amount of Test cricket they play is very less compared to the hosts. They have lost 4 Tests in a calendar year and with heavy margins — more than 200 runs. Zimbabwe are playing a Test almost after eight months. The last time they played in this format was against Sri Lanka in their den; they had lost series 0-2. This will also be their first away game since 2014.
However, players like Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza have proved to be effective across formats and will be the team’s backbone. Skipper Graeme Cremer will find a lot of support during third or fourth day while to open with the ball, they have Tendai Chatara. Hamilton Masakadza, who has featured in more than 20 Tests, will be the key for them. They will be aware that at the same ground 20 years ago Sri Lanka had posted a world Test record score of 952 for 6 against India. Tarisai Musakanda’s successful run in the ODIs can hand him his debut Test cap as well.
Zimbabwe may miss the services of Carl Mumba who is nursing knee injury. However, Cremer would find plenty of options in Raza, Chris Mpofu, Donald Tiripano and Test newcomer Ryan Burl as well.
However, Cremer has hinted of using the same options as played in the ODIs. ZC Chairman congratulates team on historic series win over SL
Zimbabwe Likely XI: Hamilton Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Tarisai Musakanda, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor, Graeme Cremer, Chris Mpofu, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chatara.
While Zimbabwe have not played a Tests for span of eight months, Sri Lanka have had a torrid time since their whitewashing Australia last year. They suffered a humiliating defeat against Bangladesh for the first time in March. Prior to that, they had lost the series against South Africa by 3-0.
Before Sri Lanka proceed to play India, this would be the perfect opportunity to hone their skills. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will hope to end their tour on a high note.
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Rangana Herath, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal.
Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (c), Peter Moor (wk), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Chris Mpofu, Carl Mumba, Tarisai Musakanda, Natsai M’shangwe, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Malcolm Waller, Nathan Waller, Sean Williams.
