(Cricket news) The third and final ODI will be held today in the Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka. The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has witnessed two strong batting performances from the teams in the first two matches. The bowlers have been economical rather than dismissing the batters and they will try to take the stage for the series win.
Zimbabwe are on a mission since they leveled the series as a strong batting and bowling performance saw the team score an upset over the hosts. Three batters have scored 100 more runs so far from the side and all of them are the seniors. Takudzwanashe Kaitano can score big if he manages to stay longer at the crease, the opener made his debut in the 1st match and improved in the next. The lower order has not managed to score runs in both the matches except for Sikandar Raza who hit a match winning half century in the 2nd match.
Richard Ngarava gave away only 41 runs in his 10 over spell and also gave the breakthrough wicket of Kamindu Mendis. The team’s bowling performance took a giant step ahead in comparison to the 1st match. Wellington Masakadza’s economy was under 5 in both the matches and maybe in the final one he can bowl a full spell.
The hosts will be in dismay as a victory in the earlier match could have given them the series win. The batters in blue have not bloomed yet, none of them could score in both the matches as it was a one time performance. Wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis was dismissed by pacers in both the matches. The team needs to join hands in regards to their batting as all of them need to score a bit and not just one or two batters in every match.
Mahesh Theekshana has only played three 50 over matches so far and has not conceded more than 50 runs in any of them. The spinner has been utilized perfectly and will once again pose as a barricade for the batters. Jeffrey Vandersay has been assigned to take out the openers as he did it in both the matches, he has not yet bowled a full spell in the series. The bowlers would try to dismiss Sean Williams as he has been a headache in both the matches along with wicket keeper Regis Chakabva.
Zimbabwe have been batting first in both the matches and have done justice to the scoreboard. Sri Lanka will try to restrict their opponents to a decent score as they will expect their batters to fight for the series and not suffer a defeat at home.
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