SL vs ZIM, 2nd ODI, Tri-series 2018, Preview: Sri Lanka aim to start the year on a high

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will lock horns in the ongoing tri-series in Bangladesh at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday. The team from island nation is coming off a horrible year in the limited overs format and would want to start on a winning note. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, suffered a hammering at the hands of the home side Bangladesh the other day and would want to come to the terms of conditions soon. However, the battle would be interesting as the last series between the two sides was won by the team in red.

The heart-breaking memories of the bilateral series loss to Zimbabwe would be fresh in the minds of Sri Lanka. The debacle led to the resignation from their senior most player Angelo Mathews from the captaincy. Here he is again, resuming the job after six months against the same team. He would love to give it back to Graeme Cremer and his men who humiliated them in their own den. Also, the team would like to welcome the new coach Chandika Hathurusingha with a victory.

Zimbabwe have already lost their first match and need to win this one to stay in contention for the finals. They would take heart from the fact that the recent records are in their favour. Though they will know that the wounded lions would come hard at them. Also, one would expect a more confident Zimbabwean unit to be on the park and they have the advantage of knowing the conditions having played a game recently.

Playing Combinations

Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis is back in the mix for Sri Lanka and one would expect him to slot back into his number 3 position. The return of Dinesh Chandimal will also bolster the middle-order of the team. The onus at the top will be on Upul Tharanga and Danushka Gunathilaka after which Mendis and the skipper Mathews will follow. Chandimal should bat at 5 in this line-up with Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella and Thisara Perera to follow. The vice-captain Suranga Lakmal will lead the bowling attack as Nuwan Pradeep will assist him with the new ball.

The spin bowling duties will be handled by Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan as Wanidu Hasaranga is the other spinner in the squad.

Probable XI: Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews(c), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will guard against making a wholesale of changes only after the first game. Their batsmen are experienced enough to learn from their mistakes in the opening game. Soloman Mire will be confident of performing as he did well in the series against them in August last year. Brendan Taylor will be key once again to their fortunes as he will look to bat through. Sikandar Raza is another key player who tried his best against Bangladesh with both bat and ball.

The bowling attack will be led by Graeme Cremer along with Raza with the fast bowlers Kyle Jarvis and Blessing Muzarabani using the new ball.

Probable XI: Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor(w), Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor, Graeme Cremer(c), Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani

Focus will be on

Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews is back at the helm for Sri Lanka and would be looking to change the fortunes of the team. Moreover, the fans will be keeping an eye on his captaincy and he needs to lead from the front with both bat and ball. It would be interesting to see though if he will bowl as the veteran is coming back from injury. He was the in-form batsman during the India series in ODIs for Sri Lanka and will have to bat well to increase the confidence of the struggling unit.

Soloman Mire

Soloman Mire was the man who did the job when the team was in Sri Lanka last time. He was dismissed without scoring in the first game and would be itching to make a difference against the team he battered recently. His exploits at the top could well be the deciding factor in the game as the middle-order is quite experienced to carry on the momentum he generates. Another good outing for him will freshen up the wounds of Sri Lankans on Wednesday in Dhaka.

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