Zimbabwe choke again to gift Sri Lanka whitewash - Ajantha won Man of the Series Award

Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 5th ODI, Harare

Cricinfo staff

November 30, 2008

Sri Lanka 152 (Kandamby 40, Rainsford 4-22) beat Zimbabwe 133 (Muralitharan 5-29) by 19 runs
Scorecard
How they were out

	The end draws near ... Nuwan Kulasekara celebrates dismissing Prosper Utseya © Cricinfo

Sri Lanka completed a series whitewash over Zimbabwe with a 19-run victory in the fifth and final ODI at Harare Sports Club, but, not for the first time in the last week, Zimbabwe threw away a gilt-edged chance of winning within sight of the finishing line. Given a little more experience and common sense, Zimbabwe could actually have won two, if not three, of the matches, but when you average only 128 an innings, it is always going to be an uphill battle.

At the start of the 41st over, they needed 23 to win with four wickets in hand, with Keith Dabengwa and Prosper Utseya, who had added 72 for the seventh wicket, well set. Even though they held all the cards, in this series the Zimbabwe batting has been brittle, and today was to be no exception as they lost their last four wickets for three runs.

Dabengwa's dismissal started the collapse, bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara giving himself room when no risks were needed, and two overs later Kulasekara struck with successive deliveries to strip the remaining fight from the Zimbabweans. Muttiah Muralitharan, who had earlier left the top-order as bewildered as rabbits in car headlights, completed the formalities to finish with 5 for 29.

Had the specialist batsmen applied themselves as Dabengwa and Utseya did, then Zimbabwe would have romped to victory. The message from the Sri Lankan innings was clear for all to see - it was not a day for big hitting, and with a required rate of three an over, ones and twos would be enough. Instead, they set off as if this was a Twenty20 thrash, encouraging Mahela Jayawardene to summon Muralitharan as early as the fourth over to take them up on their challenge.

On a slow, low pitch favouring slow bowling, common sense dictated that the class of Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis needed careful management. Zimbabwe had other ideas and opted to either swing across the line or poke indecisively from the crease. After 12.1 overs they had crumbled to 58 for 6 and Muralitharan can rarely have taken four easier wickets.

Dabengwa and Utseya then combined in the only meaningful partnership of the day, galvanising a slumbering and small crowd into life. Sri Lanka played their part with some indifferent bowling and catching, Kumar Sangakkara the worst culprit with at least four spills including two in two off the unfortunate Mendis. On almost any other day, they would not have been able to shake off such lapses. That they did was entirely down to Zimbabwe's inexperience.

The shame was that Zimbabwe had turned in one of their best performances in the field to bowl Sri Lanka out for 152. The key to their success was the way their spinners exploited an already lifeless pitch to strangle the batsmen, supported by some excellent fielding.

It was the quick bowlers who made the breakthroughs, Jayawardene checking a drive off Tawanda Mupariwa to mid-off and then Ed Rainsford bowling Upul Tharanga via an inside edge and pad. Had Tatenda Taibu, who has had a poor series behind the stumps, held onto a bottom edge from Sangakkara in between those dismissals then Sri Lanka would have been in a real mess.

	Tatenda Taibu dives in vain to cut off a sweep by Jehan Mubarak © AFP

With his opening bowlers keeping a tight rein on things, Prosper Utseya, whose captaincy is under increasing scrutiny, kept them on, and he was rewarded when Chamara Kapugedera flicked Mupariwa to midwicket. At 23 for 3 in the 14th over, Zimbabwe were in control. Sangakkara and Jehan Mubarak just about prevented the scoreboard from seizing up, but runs were at a premium early on, confirmed by the fact there were only two fours and a six in the entire innings.

The difficulty of batting on this surface was all too evident when the Sri Lankans tried to force the pace in the final overs. Despite some swings and heaves, runs remained elusive, although Angelo Mathews, whose intent was clear from the off and who alone appeared capable of scoring at a one-day rate, did manage a sweet six over midwicket.

As is so often the case, mix-ups were plentiful, and twice Taibu athletically pounced and scored direct hits to run-out the non striker, but as Sri Lanka tried to hit out, the chances came thick and fast. Rainsford, who has not had the best of luck in earlier games, returned to polish off the innings and finished with 3 for 22.

What mattered in the end was that the last ten overs produced 51 runs. Given Zimbabwe's lack of experience and rock-bottom confidence, that turned out to be the difference between the sides.

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Mendis the focus as Sri Lanka swoop in

Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 5th ODI, Harare

Cricinfo staff

November 29, 2008

Match facts

Nov 30, 2008
Start time 9.30 am (0730 GMT)

Big Picture

	It is hard not to envision Ajantha Mendis becoming the fastest bowler to 50 ODI wickets © AFP

What do you do when you're down 0-4 going into the last match of a series? Zimbabwe may not even have the answer to that question. They pushed Sri Lanka in games three and four, but there's a difference between pushing and winning. A cursory look at Zimbabwe's totals so far - 127, 67, 166, 146 - inspires little confidence that they will improve upon that after four losses.

A five-match series against Sri Lanka was the most appetising contest Zimbabwe have had in months but unfortunately the results have been far from that. After a 5-0 whitewash at the hands of Pakistan earlier this year, the home side face a similar predicament.

As for Sri Lanka, only a fool would have doubted a series victory before the team landed in Zimbabwe. The duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis troubled a famed Indian batting order, so it is not surprising that they have denied Zimbabwe runs. Mendis has taken 15 wickets at 7.06, including six in the last match, and Murali six from the three games he has been involved in. Murali may get another off day, but Mendis will surely play, given that he is two wickets from becoming the fastest bowler to 50 in ODIs.

One concern Sri Lanka will have is that no batsman has really imposed himself. Putting aside the second ODI, when Sri Lanka had to chase 68, the batting line-up has only managed two half-centuries. Both have been key innings, however - Kumar Sangakkara's 59-ball 57 ultimately proved crucial in a rare thriller in game three, while Jehan Mubarak's unbeaten 60 helped Sri Lanka edge Zimbabwe by two wickets to win the fourth match.

Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent last)

Zimbabwe LLLLL
Sri Lanka WWWWW

Watch out for

India's Ajit Agarkar broke Dennis Lillee's record for the fastest bowler to 50 wickets in ODIs that stood for nearly 26 years, but Mendis is primed to do undo him in just over a decade. And in five matches less than Agarkar's 23. Mendis hasn't just feasted on weaker sides: his bowling average against India reads 19 wickets from six games, and he took four wickets in one game versus Pakistan.

Sangakkara leads the series runs with 154 at 77.00. Should Sri Lanka bat first tomorrow, he will be keen to convert a start into a meaningful score. Back from surgery on an index finger, Sangakkara could do with a big score before Sri Lanka head home to host Bangladesh.

Tawanda Mupariwa has been one bright spot for Zimbabwe. He is their leading wicket-taker with eight at 14.87 and his 4 for 39 helped restrict Sri Lanka's strokeplay in a rain-hit third match, and he followed it up with 3 for 34 in the fourth. Mupariwa's accuracy has been his hallmark this series, with few four-balls on offer.

Team news

Ed Rainsford replaced Chris Mpofu for the last two matches but has failed to take a wicket. Zimbabwe will have to decide between keeping him or bringing back Mpofu, who doesn't have a wicket either. Shingirai Masakadza, brother of Hamilton, could get a debut given how poorly Zimbabwe's middle order has fared. Stuart Matsikenyeri, with 50 runs in four games, may miss out.

Zimbabwe (likely): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 4 Chamu Chibhabha, 5 Shingirai Masakadza, 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Prosper Utseya (capt), 8 Sean Williams, 9 Raymond Price, 10 Tawanda Mupariwa,11 Ed Rainsford

Angelo Matthews, the allrounder, made his debut in place of Farveez Maharoof, but made 0 and went wicketless from eight overs. He should retain his place to gain experience at the international level. Thilina Kandamby, who was recalled after a successful A tour to South Africa this year, could expect another appearance since 2004. It is possible that Sri Lanka will replace Chamara Kapugedera, who only has 56 runs in three innings.

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Mahela Udawatte, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Jehan Mubarak, 6 Thilina Kandamby 7 Angelo Matthews, 8 Thilan Thushara, 9 Ajantha Mendis, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Dilhara Fernando

Stats & Trivia

• With 86 runs from four games, Tatenda Taibu is Zimbabwe's highest scorer.
• Prosper Utseya, Zimbabwe's captain, opened the bowling in game four. His tidy offspin yielded him figures of 1 for 18 from ten overs. He only allowed two boundaries in a stifling spell that included four maidens.

Quotes

"The biggest thing is that we are improving with each outing. We came close on Monday and today we came close again. We showed all-round improvement. What we need is to put a decent totals on the scoreboard to reduce pressure on the bowlers."
Utseya puts up a brave face as another whitewash looms.

"It was good to see because he came into the side not so long ago. He took responsibility and batted sensibly. It was good to see the investments we made four to five years ago coming right for us."
Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka's captain, praises Mubarak's match-winning innings in game four.

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Mubarak holds nerve after Mendis' six

Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 4th ODI, Harare

Cricinfo staff

November 28, 2008

Sri Lanka 147 for 8 (Mubarak 57*, Mupariwa 3-31) beat Zimbabwe 146 (Mendis 6-29)
Scorecard

	Ajantha Mendis helped himself to another healthy bag of wickets in Harare © PA Photos

A disciplined performance in the field from Zimbabwe gave Sri Lanka more than the occasional fright, but the visitors eventually crept over the line by two wickets in Harare. Jehan Mubarak calmed the situation with an unbeaten 57, but Sri Lanka made very heavy weather of reaching 147. Zimbabwe showed plenty of spirit as Tawanda Mupariwa snapped up three wickets and there was some impressive spin bowling.

When the seventh wicket fell Sri Lanka still needed 31 and the home side were in with a chance of their first ODI victory since beating West Indies in November 2007. Mubarak was the last specialist batsman, but he responded to the pressure by remaining calm during his 98-ball innings. He added an important 24 with Dammika Prasad, but there was a final twist when Elton Chigumbura removed Prasad with eight still needed. When Mubarak took a single to expose Ajantha Mendis to three balls of an over it was Zimbabwe's chance, but Ed Rainsford sent down a low full toss that Mendis, who starred with the ball by collecting 6 for 29, clipped through midwicket.

The steady start provided by Upul Tharanga and Mahela Udawatte was deceptive and three wickets fell without the score moving. Prosper Utseya, who gave himself the new ball, removed Tharanga when he tried to sweep and got a top edge. In the next over Mupariwa really opened the door for Zimbabwe when he claimed Udawatte - driving to extra cover - followed by Mahela Jayawardene first ball, trapped half forward to a ball that would have taken middle.

While Zimbabwe have struggled to compete with bat and ball for a long time, there fielding has often remained up to the mark and Chamu Chibhabha pulled off a stunning grab at point, diving full length to his left, to remove Chamara Kapugedera.

As the top order wobbled, Kumar Sangakkara was trying to hold the chase together but struggled to find his usual timing on a pitch offering plenty for the bowlers. Balls were often stopping on the surface and it was one such delivery that did for Sangakkara as he popped a return catch back to Chigumbura. With another key man back in the pavilion, Zimbabwe's confidence really began to surge and belief rose further when Ray Price bowled Angelo Mathews for a duck.

Tailenders are not the best at keeping their cool in tight situations and Thilan Thushara won't have endeared himself to his team-mates with a wild heave at Chigumbura, which was taken at deep cover. Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Prasad showed more composure and Mendis did what was required.

It would have been tough for Mendis to end on the losing side as he again demonstrated his full repertoire with a six-wicket haul. He came on in the 14th over and struck with his fifth delivery, trapping Vusi Sibanda lbw. The batsmen struggled to lay bat on Mendis' variations with Stuart Matsikenyeri and Chamu Chibhabha also being trapped in front by differing degrees of flight and pace.

A major blow to Zimbabwe's hopes had come form pace, though, with Tatenda Taibu - their best batsman - edging to slip off the lively Thushara. The left-arm quick produced an impressive spell to complement the wiles of Mendis as the innings continued to limp forward.

Keith Dabengwa at least offered some defiance with a combative 32 off 59 balls, but he lacked any support. When the main bowlers were given a break, Mubarak's part-time offspin proved good enough to remove Chigumbura, who scratched around for 42 balls to make his 5 before Mendis collected two more as the tail subsided.

This time, though, it wasn't just Zimbabwe's batsmen who failed to prosper and the match developed into a unexpectedly exciting contest. Sadly, that's the exception rather than the rule.

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Zimbabwe spark but Sri Lanka make it 3-0 - Mendis took 2/36

Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Harare

Cricinfo staff

November 24, 2008

Sri Lanka 171 for 7 (Sangakkara 57, Mupariwa 4-39) beat Zimbabwe 166 for 7 (Masakadza 77, Muralitharan 2-20) by 5 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out

	Kumar Sangakkara cracked 57 in Sri Lanka's 171 for 7 © AFP

A match reduced to 28 overs produced the series' most compelling game in Harare, and the first performance by Zimbabwe to cause Sri Lanka a headache. Hamilton Masakadza's pleasantly carefree strokeplay took Zimbabwe to within touching distance of their target. But in spite of Stuart Matsikenyeri pummelling 19 from 10 deliveries, late wickets cost Zimbabwe the match and, consequently, the series.

Nevertheless, after the first two drubbings Zimbabwe received, at least their supporters witnessed a contest this time. Rain and a soggy outfield delayed the start and, if anything, the reduction in overs caught Sri Lanka unawares. Their total of 171 for 7 was far from insurmountable, and with Masakadza timing the ball so sweetly, Zimbabwe were favourites when 28 were needed from the last three overs.

Masakadza has shown his potential of late, starring in the Kenya tri-series last month, and for the first time this series he gave Zimbabwe the sort of confident start they so needed, sharing with Vusi Sibanda in an opening stand worth 76. Farveez Maharoof was treated with contempt, mowed over midwicket for two huge sixes before standing tall to cut him away for four. With Sibanda happy to tuck singles, the combination worked beautifully for Zimbabwe, whose fifty came from 41 balls.

Thilan Thushara made the breakthrough for Sri Lanka but Masakadza motored onwards, registering his ninth half-century from 49 balls and carving Thushara for two crunching boundaries. However, Thushara got his man in the same over, and Zimbabwe still needed 38.

Mahela Jayawardene wheeled Ajantha Mendis back into the attack, whose first four overs had proved expensive, and he immediately had Elton Chigumbura bowled for a duck to redress the balance. Tatenda Taibu was the key for Zimbabwe, and had moved anonymously onto 31 in an innings dominated by the reverse-sweep, but he too fell when he was bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara. Despite the tumble of wickets Matsikenyeri gave Zimbabwe hope with a flat six off Mendis over midwicket, followed by four through point. Ten were needed from the final over.

Thushara was due to take the last over, but Jayawardene tossed the ball to Muttiah Muralitharan - a decision which ultimately turned the match in Sri Lanka's favour, as Zimbabwe lost Matsikenyeri. With six needed off the final delivery, Sri Lanka had tightened the noose impressively, but only at the very last minute.

An encouraging performance from Zimbabwe's batsmen, then, but also from their bowlers. Chigumbura struck two early blows, including Jayawardene whose lazy cut smacked of complacency, while Tawanda Mupariwa's 4 for 39 helped restrict Sri Lanka's strokeplay. Kumar Sangakkara, however, dug deep with a fine 57 from 59 balls.

Had Proper Utseya accepted a return catch from him on 16, the match might well have been Zimbabwe's for the taking.

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Hapless Zimbabwe crushed once more - Ajantha took 4/15

Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Harare

Cricinfo staff

November 22, 2008

Sri Lanka 71 for 1 (Sangakkara 28*, Tharanga 29*) beat Zimbabwe 67 (Maharoof 3-26, Mendis 4-15) by nine wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

	Another raucous appeal by Sri Lanka © Cricinfo Ltd.

It has not been a particularly encouraging day for cricket's minnows. First Bangladesh were routed by an innings-and-129 runs in Bloemfontein while, in Harare, Zimbabwe capitulated to their fourth-lowest ODI score of 67 against a clinical Sri Lanka who, with depressing inevitability, are heading for a 5-0 series win.

It was Zimbabwe's second collapse in three days. They lost their last seven wickets for three runs in the first ODI, and showed no sign of improving today as Ajantha Mendis took 4 for 15, taking his series-tally to seven.

Farveez Maharoof's three early wickets helped reduce Zimbabwe to 34 for 4, a position from which they were ill-equipped to recover, particularly with Muttiah Muralitharan and Mendis yet to bowl. Tatenda Taibu, playing in his 100th ODI, dropped anchor in an attempt to stabilise a listing ship, but he became Mendis's first victim when he misread a straighter delivery which shot through his defence. That he top-scored with 12 tells the sorriest of tales.

Elton Chigumbura lasted 27 balls before he too was beaten by Mendis's clever arm-ball. At 48 for 6, Zimbabwe were sliding fast, and Thilan Thushara grabbed two wickets to ensure there were no tail-end frolics. Mendis wrapped things up with his fourth wicket, that of Sean Williams, the returning allrounder, as Zimbabwe crashed to their fourth-lowest total in one-dayers.

Sri Lanka took their time chasing 68, and Zimbabwe's bowlers did their best to gloss an otherwise dismal performance. After eight overs they had Sri Lanka 20 for 1 - Mahela Udawatte drove loosely at a fine outswinger from the economical Tawanda Mupariwa - but, that small blemish aside, Sri Lanka cruised home. Kumar Sangakkara carved five crunching fours in his unbeaten 28 - three in one over off Chigumbura - and was well supported by Upal Tharanga's 29.

To compound Zimbabwe's depression, an ICC fact-finding delegation are currently in Harare to assess their suitability for returning to Test cricket. On the evidence of the first two matches, they are barely fit to play ODIs.

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Murali and Mendis rout Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Harare

Cricinfo staff

November 20, 2008

Sri Lanka 130 for 4 (Sangakkara 46*) beat Zimbabwe 127 (Murali 4-14, Mendis 3-26) by six wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

	Sri Lanka celebrate Stuart Matsikenyeri's dismissal as Zimbabwe collapse © AFP

Zimbabwe's captain, Prosper Utseya, may have suggested that Muttiah Muralitharan was "not as effective" as he once was, but that assertion came back to haunt his team during the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Harare. Ripping the ball with all the mystery and venom of old, Murali claimed figures of 4 for 14 in four overs, as Zimbabwe lost their last seven wickets for three runs in four overs. They tumbled from 124 for 3 to 127 in the blink of an eye, leaving Sri Lanka to coast to their target with six wickets and more than 16 overs in hand.

The scorecard tells a sorry tale of Zimbabwe's bamboozlement. Each of their last six batsmen made ducks, with no-one surviving more than four deliveries, as Murali and his new spinning sidekick, Ajantha Mendis, made swift work of a wafer-thin lower-order. Mendis, the ICC's Emerging Player of the Year, was almost as effective as his senior colleague, finishing with 3 for 26 in six overs, and though Upul Tharanga, in reply, made it seven ducks in a row by running himself out in the first over of Sri Lanka's innings, a leisurely 46 not out from Kumar Sangakkara meant the result was never in doubt.

Zimbabwe were always going to be up against it in this series. Although the selectors decided, in the end, to ignore the claims of their talented but temperamental opener, Sean Williams, who announced his availability earlier in the week, they were at least bolstered by the return of Tatenda Taibu, who had threatened to miss the match after a dispute with the board. Even so, Sri Lanka were not threatened by their opponents, as Mahela Jayawardene showed by asking Zimbabwe to bat first after winning the toss.

Though Vusi Sibanda fell early to Nuwan Kulasekara for 9, the rest of Zimbabwe's top five all made starts. Hamilton Masakadza struck three fours in his 15 before being run out by Tharanga; Chamu Chibhabha accumulated steadily for his 25 from 35 balls, while Stuart Matsikenyeri clobbered Mendis back over his head for six as he raced along to 21 from 20 balls. But two balls after that blow, Matsikenyeri fell, bowled off the inside-edge by Murali as he attempted a cramped cut shot, and - with Taibu parked at the non-striker's end - the innings swiftly fell apart.

With his next delivery, Murali struck again, as Elton Chigumbura fumbled forward to the quicker delivery and was pinned lbw in front of the stumps. Though he missed out on the hat-trick, Murali claimed his third wicket with the final ball of the same over, as Timycen Maruma gormlessly turned a big ripper from around the wicket into the hands of backward short leg.

Taibu had been progressing serenely up until that point, unbeaten on 33 from 52 balls, but he then contributed to the collapse by taking a single from the first ball of the next over, bowled by Mendis. Utseya, eager to impose himself, drove hard-handedly at a flighted delivery, missed, and was adjudged lbw for a golden duck. The veteran, Ray Price, survived three balls, but was then comprehensively suckered by one of Mendis's many variations, as he was dragged down the pitch and stumped for yet another duck.

Five wickets had fallen in the space of 12 balls, but yet again Taibu chose to take a single from the first ball of an over. Murali needed no second invitation to give the new batsman, Tawanda Mupariwa, a thorough working-over. After three tangled defensive prods, Mupariwa attempted a clumsy sweep, inside-edged onto his pads, and Tharanga claimed a dolly at silly point. That left Mendis to apply the coup de grace. Taibu blocked the first three balls of his next over and took a single from the fourth, but two deliveries was more than enough to clean up the No. 11, Christopher Mpofu, who was bowled through the gate to lose his off stump.

Sri Lanka's response with the bat was hardly emphatic, but it didn't need to be. Tharanga tried to steal a non-existent run to short midwicket and was beaten by a sharp shy from Mpofu, but Mahela Udawatte provided some measured aggression in the 10 overs available before lunch with 28 from 34 balls, including two fours and a swatted six over backward point. He eventually holed out to cover ten runs later, and Price marked his comeback with the prize wicket of Jayawardene, bowled for 15.

But the end was already nigh. Kapugedera slammed two sixes in a 15-ball cameo before picking out long-off as he sized up a third, but it was left to Sangakkara - barely noticed throughout his 93-ball stay - to pick off the winning runs and seal a comprehensive victory.

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Mendis a bigger threat than Murali - Utseya

Sri Lanka in Zimbabwe 2008-09

Cricinfo staff

November 20, 2008

	Ajantha Mendis was the highest wicket-taker in the previous series against India as well as the T20 Canada © AFP

Prosper Utseya, the Zimbabwe captain, believes Ajantha Mendis will be a bigger threat than his Sri Lankan spin partner Muttiah Muralitharan in the five-match one-day series starting on Thursday in Harare.

"We were lucky to play Mendis in a four-day game and we have an idea of what to expect from him," Utseya said. "Murali didn't play in that warm-up game, but I don't think he's as effective as Mendis. But basically it's all about us reacting to whatever they dish out."

Voted the ICC Emerging Player of the Year for 2008, Mendis has enjoyed a rich vein of form since his debut earlier this year. He was the highest wicket-taker in both the Tests and the ODIs during Sri Lanka's previous home series against India in July-August, and was also top of the bowling charts in the T20 Canada. He took 11 wickets from three matches, more than making up for the absence of Muralitharan, who was rested for the tournament.

Though the Sri Lankan squad bears a young look - Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas among the notable absentees - Utseya said he was expecting a tough series. "Obviously, on paper they are better than us, but in terms of what we can do I think we have done well in our preparations and we can only expect positive results to come out of those preparations," he said. Zimbabwe have not had much action this year due to the political turmoil in the country. At home, they last played West Indies in a five-match ODI series back in December 2007, which they lost 1-3.

A poor start to 2008 saw them being blanked 5-0 in Pakistan in an ODI series. There was not-too-productive T20 Canada in October, and though they shared the honours in the tri-series in Kenya, they currently find themselves at No.11 in the ICC ODI rankings, behind Associate member Ireland.

"We haven't played much cricket this year, but from the little action we've had and the preparations, I think we are prepared for the challenge," Utseya said. "We can't be using lack of international matches as an excuse.

"We just need to stick to the basics because whenever you play against top bowlers, you have to go back to the basics. We just need to believe in ourselves and do the right things, because a good ball will trouble any batsman, including the best in the world, and that's all we need to work on."

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Ajantha took 4/86, Top order seals draw for Zimbabweans

Zimbabwe Select XI v Sri Lankans, Bulawayo, 4th day

Cricinfo staff in Bulawayo

November 15, 2008

Zimbabwe Select XI 159 (Mendis 4-59, Fernando 3-19) and 238 for 5 (Masakadza 72, Matsikenyeri 71, Chibhabha 59, Mendis 4-86) drew with Sri Lankans 567 for 4 dec (Sangakkara 174, Kapugedera 150, Tharanga 88, Udawatte 55, Kandamby 55*, Utseya 3-133)
Scorecard

Half-centuries from Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Matsikenyeri ensured the four-day contest between Zimbabwe Select XI and the Sri Lankans ended in a draw at the Queens Sport Club in Bulawayo. After rain made only 38 overs possible on the third day, a wet outfield delayed the start by an hour on Saturday. The Sri Lankans opted to push for a result, declaring their first innings at 567 for 4 - a commanding lead of 408.

Their opening bowlers, though, failed to make early inroads, and it was only wickets from Ajantha Mendis that kept the visitors interested. Mendis took his second four-wicket haul of the game, and the only other bowler to take a wicket in Zimbabwe's much-improved second innings performance was allrounder Angelo Mathews.

Zimbabwe folded for 159 on the first day, but the signs were positive from the start as openers Timycen Maruma and Chibhabha played out 17.5 overs before Mendis struck his first blow. Maruma was caught behind for 16. Chibhabha fell in the same manner 19 balls later; he scored 59 off 70 balls with nine fours. Masakadza and Matsikenyeri then put on a 132-run stand.

However, they failed to convert the fifties into centuries; both departed having made 70s. Matsikenyeri was out for 71, caught and bowled by Mathews, and wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva was dismissed for a duck by Mendis the next over. Masakadza's 72 ended in the 60th over, and one over later play was called off.

The Sri Lankans will play Zimbabwe A in a one-day game on Monday, before the five-ODI series in Harare, which starts on November 20.

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Fernando and Mendis hurt Zimbabweans

Zimbabwe Select XI v Sri Lankans, Bulawayo

Cricinfo staff in Bulawayo

November 12, 2008

Sri Lankans 50 for 0 (Tharanga 31*, Udawatte 17*) trail Zimbabwe Select XI 159 (Chigumbura 33, Mendis 4-59) by 109 runs
Scorecard

Sri Lanka began their tour of Zimbabwe in bullish fashion, dismissing a Zimbabwe Select XI for 159 on a rain-affected first day of their warm-up match in Bulawayo. Ajantha Mendis picked up four wickets and in reply, Upul Tharanga and Mahela Udawatte propelled the tourists to 50 without loss in 14 overs.

The umpires twice suspended play because of drizzle and eventually ended the day 20 minutes early due to bad light.

Zimbabwe's innings began poorly when Chamu Chibhabha steered a very wide delivery to gully, and it never gained any real momentum other than a brief seventh-wicket renaissance of 46 from Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya which lent the score a degree of respectability. They missed the experience and bravery of Tatenda Taibu, who was dropped in rather odd circumstances. Dilhara Fernando took full advantage early on, picking up two of the first four wickets to fall, including the promising Hamilton Masakadza leg-before for 26.

It wasn't long before Mendis was brought into the attack and he soon bowled Regis Chakabva to get his name on the scoreboard. When he followed that up with the wicket of Keith Dabengwa, also bowled, Zimbabwe had slipped to 90 for 6. However, Chigumbura and Utseya staved off the collapse with a vital seven-wicket stand of 46.

Aware of the situation, both players dropped anchor and gradually shovelled Zimbabwe's total past 100, but Fernando returned to have Utseya caught behind for 22 while Chigumbura - who had spent over two hours at the crease - was beaten by Mendis. Angelo Mathews mopped up a flaccid tail.

Zimbabwe squandered an early chance when Mahela Udawatte edged Christopher Mpofu but Stuart Matsikenyeri at second slip failed to hold onto a routine catch. Tharanga went on the attack and cracked five fours in his unbeaten 31 while Udawatte ended on 17 as Sri Lanka made brisk headway to reach 50 in 14 overs.

Unless the weather plays a major part, this match appears unlikely to go into a fourth day.

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‘Mendis’s arrival will prolong my career’

Special Correspondent, The Hindu

Colombo: In some disconcerting news for batsmen around the world, Muttiah Muralitharan, a predator of an off-spinner, announced on Saturday that the arrival of a young help-mate would prolong his career.

“Now that Ajantha (Mendis) has come, I think I can play Test cricket a few more years,” said Muralitharan after the spinners had combined to take 19 of India’s 20 wickets in the first Test here at the SSC.

“Bowling 50 overs in an innings is very hard. Now if I can play only 30-35 overs and he can bowl more than me — he is a youngster still — the job will get easier for me.”

Muralitharan had more bad news for international batsmen. He said his spin partner would prove just as much of a scourge.

“When I started, I had just the off-spin, and I had bigger turn. He has more variations. That’s difficult for the batsmen. If he keeps his head calm and keeps performing this way, he will definitely take a lot of wickets in international cricket.”

Credit for seniors

Mendis, for his part, credited the seniors in the side for his success. “I had the senior players helping me around, especially Murali bowling from the other end,” said the nerveless debutant. “I didn’t feel nerves because it was just another game for me.”

Muralitharan dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in both innings, earning the distinction of having dismissed the master the most times (7) in Test cricket. “I bowled very well to him, keeping the pressure and both times, he played false shots,” said Muralitharan, describing his strategy.

Sri Lanka’s win also involved several excellent calls for referral.

“If it wasn’t there, we probably would have had four bad decisions going against us in this match,” said Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain who made three of them (batsman Tillkaratne Dilshanmade the other).

Tough decisions

Added Jayawardene, “Sachin’s and Rahul’s decisions were both tough ones for the umpires to pick up, especially when you have two bowlers like Murali and Ajantha at the batsmen on these kind of tracks. It is not easy. They just needed that extra bit of help.”

Ajantha Mendis: The Next Big Thing In Cricket

Okay, this guy is the next big thing in world cricket. Ajantha Mendis is a 23 year old Sri Lankan spin bowler and he has just helped Sri Lanka defeat India by a massive innings and 239 runs in Colombo.

Muralitharan won the player of the match award for match figures of 42-7-110-11. Mendis, in his debut match, provided a perfect foil with match figures of 45.5-8-132-8.

What makes Mendis so special? He's an Iverson type spin bowler. Instead of spinning the ball like a traditional leg-spinner, he flicks it with his middle finger while he bowls it out of the back of his hand. Since the finger is almost impossible for a batsman to see, there is no way to judge which way the ball is spinning - thus a batsman can only read it after it pitches.

In the end, there are only three sorts of deliveries a spin bowler can deliver - one which spins towards leg, one which spins towards off, and one which goes straight on. If a batsman cannot judge which way the ball is going and is forced to read it off the pitch, only back-foot shots can be played with any form of confidence.

To the right is Jack Iverson's grip, which I assume is similar to what Mendis is able to do. So far Mendis' career has been short but brilliant:

* 20 first class matches with 119 wickets at 14.68
* 8 One Day Internations with 20 wickets at 10.25
* 27 List A Matches with 57 wickets at 11.03
* 7 Twenty20 Matches with 6 wickets at 20.33

I am really excited about this guy. I think he is going to turn international cricket on his head and hopefully produce some more Iverson type spinners.

Update:
Read this article by Cricinfo about Mendis. They point out that it has been over 20 years since India was decimated by spin bowling. Moreover, only three times in history have 2 bowlers taken 19 wickets in a test.