Memorable comeback for Hasaranga but rain spoils third ODI

Injury and surgery had sent leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to the cold and after being unavailable for six months, he made his presence felt in the third ODI against Zimbabwe picking up three wickets in just two overs.

The star bowler who has been named Sri Lanka’s T-20 captain was in the squad from the start of the ODI series. Although he had featured in domestic cricket, Wanindu wasn’t played until yesterday and made a big impact when he troubled the Zimbabwe batsmen with his crafty bowling.

The tourists had got off to a good start with the openers adding 43 runs in 53 balls for the first wicket.

A rain interruption that lasted for more than two hours had reduced the game to 43 overs and Wanindu was entrusted with the first over after the rain break.

Takudzwanashe Kaitano didn’t pick the googly and attempted a sweep shot but Dilshan Madushanka ran in from short fine leg to take a good diving catch.  The other opening batter Joylord Gumbie was also trapped leg before wicket once again not picking the googly.

Hasaranga completed his second over by trapping captain Craig Ervine leg before wicket and from 43 for no loss, Zimbabwe had slid to 47 for three as Hasaranga had turned the game on its head.

Only 19 minutes of play was possible after resumption as players went indoors again due to rain.

Sri Lanka left out former captain Dasun Shanaka after a string of low scores. Jeffrey Vandersay was also sidelined as Hasaranga returned to the side while Shevon Daniel went onto make his debut.

The 19-year-old Daniel was a prolific run scorer for St. Joseph’s College in schools’ cricket and was part of the Sri Lankan under – 19 side for a while. Daniel is the nephew of former cricketer Ian Daniel. He is in the side in place of Pathum Nissanka, who is down with dengue.

The selectors also backed opening batsman Avishka Fernando despite failing in the first two games. Zimbabwe did three changes to the side that lost the second ODI by two wickets.