Sri Lanka aim for improved showing

Match facts

Nov 22, 2008
Start time 9.30 am (0730 GMT)

Big Picture

Zimbabwe's first ODI at home since December 2007 had a promising beginning but ended in disaster. Their top order laid a steady platform against Sri Lanka on Thursday, reaching 124 for 3, but they lost their last seven wickets for three runs in 3.5 dramatic overs. Zimbabwe's last six batsmen were all dismissed for 0, equalling the record for most ducks in an innings. It was a calamitous collapse that would have severely dented the confidence of a young side, but captain Prosper Utseya said his batsmen had learnt from the experience. Converting the knowledge into an improved on-field performance, however, won't be easy as Sri Lanka are unlikely to take the hosts lightly.

Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, said he wanted a "much better standard" from his players. He said Zimbabwe should not have scored as much as 127 and called for improvement despite winning by six wickets and with 16.4 overs to spare.

Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent last)

Zimbabwe LLWLL
Sri Lanka LLLWW

Watch out for

Muttiah Muralitharan has a terrific record against Zimbabwe - 47 wickets at an average of 16.55 and economy-rate of 3.43. Before the first game, Utseya said Murali would not be as effective as Ajantha Mendis but the offspinner ended up wth 4 for 14.

Tatenda Taibu was doubtful for the first ODI because of a contractual dispute with Zimbabwe Cricket but he played and remained unbeaten, amid the devastation, on 36. Taibu also adopted a novel approach against Mendis, trying to reverse-sweep almost every ball.

Team news

Zimbabwe could draft Sean Williams, their talented but temperamental allrounder, into the starting line-up to bolster the batting order. Williams had initially pulled out of the series but made himself available in the days leading up to the contest.

Zimbabwe (likely): 1 Sean Williams, 2 Vusimuzi Sibanda, 3 Chamunorwa Chibhabha, 4 Tatenda Taibu, 5 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Timycen Maruma, 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Raymond Price, 10 Tawanda Mupariwa, 11 Christopher Mpofu.

Sri Lanka have several players in reserve all itching to get a game, including Angelo Matthews, Thilina Kandamby, Dilhara Fernando and Dammika Prasad, but they are unlikely to make major changes to the combination until the series is won.

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Mahela Udawatte, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Chamara Kapugedera, 6 Jehan Mubarak, 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Thilan Thushara, 9 Ajantha Mendis, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Nuwan Kulasekara.

Stats & Trivia

• Kumar Sangakkara's unbeaten 46 was the top score in the first ODI. He scored two half-centuries in his previous two innings in Zimbabwe and averages 182 in the country.

Quotes

"Although Murali got four wickets I think we were coping with his turn."
Prosper Utseya is confident his batsmen will tackle the threat of Muttiah Muralitharan.