Zimbabwe created history by defeating Sri Lanka and securing the ODI series 3-2 in the decider at Hambantota.
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It was a moment to savour as the tourists clinched their first 5 match ODI series win against a Test nation and also their first away series in the shorter format win against a Test side after 16 years. Not only reeling at one of the lowest points in Sri Lankan cricket, the hosts are grappling for automatic qualification for England 2019.
Following the conclusion of a disappointing ODI tie, a solitary Test match will be hosted at the RPS before the Zimbabweans head back home. Let’s take a closer look at the Test numbers between these two teams.
Since 1994
The first ever Test match between the two sides took place in Harare in 1994. The rain affected match resulted in a tame draw. The inaugural Test saw Asanka Gurusinha scoring the 3rd slowest century in Test history which took 535 minutes and 405 balls. Arjuna Ranatunga joined in with 118, his maiden Test century.
The first win for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe came in 1996 at the RPS. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 349 while in reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 145 and 127 following on. Jayantha Silva and Chaminda Vaas shared 7 wickets between them in the first essay. Muralitharan’s wizardry saw him take 5 for 33 in the second innings while Silva braced in again with 4 for 25, sealing an innings and 77 run win for the Sri Lankans. Arjuna Ranatunga was adjudged Man of the Match for his valiant 75, made when the home team was in trouble on 128/5.
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Test record –
- Played – 17
- Sri Lanka – 12
- Zimbabwe – 0
- Drawn – 5
Recap of the recent encounters
Until 2016, the two teams had not engaged in a Test encounter for 12 years. Sri Lanka toured Zimbabwe in 2004, winning the series 2-0, recording mammoth wins at Harare and Bulawayo.
At Harare, Tatenda Taibu became the youngest ever captain in Test cricket (20y 358d) while Muralitharan broke Courtney Walsh’s record for most Test wickets claiming Mluleki Nkala as his 520th victim.
Let’s Talk Numbers by Thilina Galappatti – ThePapare.com
Absolutely accurate, meticulously and painstakingly researched, Gala our stats buff, lays it all on…
In the second Test, Sri Lanka stockpiled 713/3 which included a marathon 270 by Kumar Sangakkara, 249 by Marvan Atapattu and an unbeaten century by Mahela Jayawardene. A few days after the heavy defeat by an innings and 240 runs at Harare, records were renewed again as Zimbabwe was handed their worst defeat in history at Bulawayo as they went down by an innings and 254 runs.
Last year, Sri Lanka played 2 Tests in Zimbabwe where the visitors recorded substantial wins on both encounters at Harare.
In the Lion’s Den
Since their first Test match on Sri Lankan soil in 1996 at RPS, Zimbabwe has played 7 games. The hosts have managed to win all Tests played against Zimbabwe on home soil.
After the Lions whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in 2001/02, the visitors are yet to play in white clothing in Sri Lanka.
Premadasa Stadium
The largest cricketing venue in Sri Lanka first hosted a Test match in 1992 against Australia. It was also well known for the world record team total scored by Sri Lanka against India in 1997. Relatively less used for the longest format, the RPS last hosted a Test against Bangladesh in 2013.
Sri Lanka’s Test record at the RPS –
- Played – 8
- Won – 3
- Lost – 1
- Drawn – 4
Batting Records
- Most runs – Marvan Atapattu (1145 runs in 15 innings) (Avg. 95.41)
- Most runs for Zimbabwe – Andy Flower (778 runs in 23 innings) (Avg. 38.90)
- Most runs in Sri Lanka – Marvan Atapattu (461 runs in 8 innings) (Avg. 76.83)
- Most runs in Sri Lanka (for Zim) – Grant Flower (357 runs in 14 innings) (Avg. 25.50)
- Highest individual score – Kumar Sangakkara (270 at Bulawayo, 2004)
- Highest individual score for Zimbabwe – Dave Houghton (266 at Bulawayo, 1994)
- Highest individual score in Sri Lanka – Marvan Atapattu (223 at Kandy, 1998)
- Highest individual score in Sri Lanka (for Zim) – Andy Flower (105* at SSC, 1998)
Bowling Records
- Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (87 wickets in 26 innings) (Avg. 16.86)
- Most wickets for Zimbabwe – Heath Streak (33 wickets in 14 innings) (Avg. 26.45)
- Most wickets in Sri Lanka – Muttiah Muralitharan (61 wickets in 14 innings) (Avg. 12.31)
- Most wickets in Sri Lanka (for Zim) – Heath Streak (20 wickets in 9 innings) (Avg. 28.45)
- Best bowling – Muttiah Muralitharan (9 for 51 at Kandy, 2002)
- Best bowling for Zimbabwe – Paul Strang (5 for 106 at RPS, 1996)
