and a clean, straight six to seal the game and the title. Comes down the track to meet the pitch of the ball before lofting it straight over the bowler's head for a clean six
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, Final at Bulawayo, Nov 27 2016 - Match Result
That brings an end to our coverage of this tri-series. It has been a fascinating one that has seen every result possible and at the end of it all, Sri Lanka have been crowned deserving winners. We hope you enjoyed our coverage of this match and the series; I have certainly enjoyed bringing it to all of you. Plenty of cricket to look forward to, though, with two interesting Test matches happening between India and England, and New Zealand and Pakistan, so tune in then. Until next time then.
The last two times a batsman scored a fifty with strike rate of under 60 in a tournament final: Tharanga today and Tharanga against Australia in 2012.
Samson: "Zim and SL players looks very friendly to each other. No sledging nothing. way to play cricket"
Qaaid: "More than anything, the spirit in which the teams played with was refreshing to see"
Upul Tharanga: "I think it's a really happy moment. Full credit to the guys, they have done a really great job over the last two weeks. We knew we had to only get one good partnership. Mendis batted very well, and from there, it got easier and easier. Everybody has done a great job, we have found some new players as well who have put their hands up and performed well. Thanks to the support staff as well, they have done a good job. South Africa will be a tough series and we have to work hard."
Mendis: "Yeah, very happy. Pitch was good and good bowling from my team, we are very happy. I enjoyed my time here."
Kusal Mendis is the Man of the Match and the Man of the series.
Graeme Cremer: "Definitely, to get to a final is always nice, but a bit disappointing today. We didn't think our day would end like this. It was a bit difficult to bat this morning and we lost quite a few wickets together. We've been watching him (Brian Vitori) in the nets. He just came in and got wickets upfront. For sure, we have got together in short space of time. The team spirit is up. The guys are hungry to perform and hungry to succeed and we can't ask for anything more form them."
Full marks to Sri Lanka for a clinical performance. Their bowlers did well and were helped by some poor shot selection from Zimbabwe's batsmen. Sri Lanka began the chase in puzzling fashion, going after everything and losing three quick wickets. But a more sedate approach after the interval eased down matters. Upul Tharanga struggled for the most part and ended up with an unconvincing, scratchy knock. But full credit to him for willing to grind it out and staying till the end. Of course, nothing unconvincing about the last few shots. We will have the presentations shortly.
fuller ball on the stumps, Tharanga flays it through midwicket for his half-century. Seems to be in a hurry now to finish it. That's also his half-century
comes down the track but the bowler does well to adjust his length, Tharanga blocks
another lofted stroke and over the mid-on region again. Does not time it too well and does not get hold of it but it beats the man there nonetheless. The ball does not carry all the way to the boundary
some intent from Tharanga. Makes use of the feet and comes to the pitch of the ball. Lifts it just to the left of the man at mid-on who makes a good effort and dives. But he times and places it well
goes for a slog sweep and gets hit on the pad. Impact outside off
tucked off the pads to square leg
short of a length ball, spinning in sharply, knocks it back to the bowler
comes down the track and knocks it to the right of the bowler
binusha: "Gunarathne looks solid and confident. Dickwella also played some good cricket here. Wonder who will be dropped after Mathews and Chandimal returns for SA tour. "
a tad wide outside off, cut away to sweeper cover
defended to the off side
opens the face of his bat, not enough room and picks out point
length ball, drops it in front of point with an open bat face. Gunaratne wants the single but Tharanga sends him back
width on offer outside off but it keeps low and Tharanga can't middle the cut, picks out short extra cover
driven to cover
drifting in on leg with the arm, pushed to mid-on
comes forward to defend and gets it off the splice to midwicket
comes forward and drives to short cover, does not get hold of it
make that three in three. Overcompensates after overpitching the previous one and drops it too short. THaranga swivels around with the pull and sends it to the deep backward square leg boundary. The Sri Lanka captain finally getting a move on
lovely shot. Loopy fuller ball that is drifting on off after being pushed across from around the wicket, Tharanga presses forward and creams it through extra cover
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Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo | |
Toss | Zimbabwe, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2016/17 |
Player Of The Match | |
Player Of The Series | |
Series result | Sri Lanka won the 2016/17 Zimbabwe Tri-Nation Series |
Match number | ODI no. 3810 |
Hours of play (local time) | 09.30 start, First Session 9.30-13.00, Interval 13.00-13.45, Second Session 13.45-17.15 |
Match days | 27 November 2016 - day (50-over match) |
ODI debut | |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |