Toss Sri Lanka chose to bat v Zimbabwe
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Sri Lanka did not make any changes to their batting line-up © AFP
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews opted to bat, chasing a series win in the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe. The hosts made a forced change, handing a debut to 19-year-old fast bowler Asitha Fernando in place of Nuwan Pradeep, who had left the field with a thigh strain in the third ODI and was ruled out of the rest of the series. Mathews said his team was looking to “lessen the mistakes” in all departments.
Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer also had to make an injury change in the XI and said he would have opted to bowl. He brought in Chris Mpofu, who had not played the series until now, to replace Carl Mumba, who sat out with an injured knee. Cremer was happy to chase with his “top-heavy” batting and said they would look for a flying start in the first 10 overs and then have a go in the last 10, once Sri Lanka would set a total.
The pitch at Hambantota had a thin cover of dry grass with a few cracks spread around, and the wind was not as strong on Saturday morning as it was on Thursday. Sri Lanka lead the five-match series 2-1.
Sri Lanka: 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Upul Tharanga, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Wanidu Hasaranga, 8 Dushmantha Chameera, 9 Lakshan Sandakan, 10 Asitha Fernando, 11 Lasith Malinga
Zimbabwe: 1 Solomon Mire, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Tarisai Musakanda, 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Malcolm Waller, 6 Sikander Raza, 8 Peter Moor (wk), 9 Graeme Cremer (capt.), 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Chris Mpofu
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo