Sri Lanka suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the touring Zimbabwe outfit during the recently concluded ODI series and will be looking to exact revenge by stamping their authority in the only Test between the sides that is scheduled to begin on Friday (14th)
The last time Zimbabwe toured Sri Lanka back in 2001, they were not treated with any mercy as the hosts thrashed the tourists 3-0 in the Tests, claiming the wins by an innings in the 1st two games and 300+ in the final game.
Since then the teams have met on 4 occasions in Test cricket in 2004 and 2016, with Sri Lanka comfortably overcoming the Zimbabweans in all 4 games played in the latter’s backyard. The very first game between the teams was played in Harare in 1994 and there is no doubt that Sri Lanka have always been the more dominant team, having never lost to Zimbabwe in the 17 occasions on which they have met.
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Things however seem to have shifted since the teams last met just last year. The ODI series win would most definitely have bolstered the Zimbabwean spirits, while in the Sri Lankan camp, with a change of leadership, the team will be looking to avoid further embarrassment at the hands of the visitors.
Sri Lanka have always been at their peak in home conditions but looking at Sri Lanka’s most recent form in white clothing would give Graeme Cremer and his boys hope as Sri Lanka suffered an abysmal tour of South Africa early this year and then were forced to settle for 1-1 series draw against the Bangladeshis at home; this was the first time the Lankans lost to Bangladesh.
Prior to this series however the Lankans dominated both Australia and the West Indies at home and with Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera in the line-up, it is hard to imagine that Sri Lanka would go down to Zimbabwe but as we saw in the ODIs, anything can happen.
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The teams
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have usually stuck to a plan in which they amassed a considerable total before the wicket began turning and then unleashed Herath and Dilruwan to see to the opposition’s collapse. This would perhaps be the plan once again, especially with the R Premadasa pitch generally being favourable to the batsmen early on and expected to take turn later in the game.
Despite the change in leadership, it is unlikely that there will be many changes to the XI that faced Bangladesh at the P Sara a few months ago; the only spot up for grabs would be the one left vacant because of Nuwan Pradeep’s absence in the squad. The word is that either Lahiru Kumara or Dushmantha Chameera will be the one who will picked to partner Suranga Lakmal.
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Skipper Dinesh Chandimal’s thoughts on the playing XI:
“We can’t discern the nature of the pitch completely just yet. We’ll decide that when we turn up tomorrow. I’m not sure if we’ll play two spinners and two quicks, or whether we’ll go with three quicks and one spinner. That’s something for deciding tomorrow, after we get to the ground. The Zimbabwe batsmen played very well in particular, during the five ODIs. I think we can’t underestimate them. But we do have Rangana Herath in our Test team, who is an extremely experienced player. We also have Dilruwan Perera. I don’t think we will let Zimbabwe get into rhythm too easily. We have plans against them, and we have good spinners. So I’m hoping we can bowl well and restrict them.”
Probable XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal ©, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara/Dushmantha Chameera.
Zimbabwe
This will be Zimbabwe’s 1st Test of the year as they last played a game in white clothing in November 2016, against the same opposition. As such it is difficult to assess as to how they will structure the team. With ODI standout Solomon Mire missing out from the squad, and Brian Chari and Tino Mawoyo (who opened in Zimbabwe’s last Test) not touring either, it will be interesting to see who will open the innings for the Africans.
The visitors are likely to go with 7 batsmen, 3 fast bowlers and 1 specialist spinner, with Sikandar Raza and Malcolm Waller offering a 5th and 6th option with the ball.
Probable XI: Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer ©, Regis Chakabva, Peter Moor (WK), Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chatara, Donald Tiripano, Christopher Mpofu
Pitch and Conditions
The largest cricketing venue in Sri Lanka first hosted a Test match in 1992 against Australia and being the venue where Sri Lanka posted their highest Test total of 952 against India back in 1997, is known as a batting friendly wicket. Relatively less used for the longest format, the RPS last hosted a Test against Bangladesh in 2013; the match yielded over a 1,000 runs with Sri Lanka ending as winners by 7 wickets.
Expect the pitch to get slower and lower as the match goes on and the captain who wins the toss to have a bat 1st.
