Zimbabwe collapse after Ervine dismissal

By Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka’s poor fielding standards have been often a talking point but when they field well, they are able to turn games on their head as showcased by Sadeera Samarawickrama yesterday during the second ODI against Zimbabwe at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Zimbabwe were cruising along at 182 for five with 13 overs left in the game and they were looking at a total in excess of 250. Captain Craig Ervine was going great guns but all Zimbabwe’s hopes were dashed as Sadeera pulled off a stunning one-handed diving catch at extra cover off the bowling of Dushmantha Chameera.

Zimbabwe collapsed soon as they were bowled out for 208 losing the last five wickets for 26 runs. At one point they lost three wickets with the total on 202 in the space of just four deliveries.

Ervine, Zimbabwe’s most experienced batter in the absence of the injured Sean Williams, batted expertly and was looking good to post a hundred when Sadeera ended his innings. His 82 came off 102 deliveries with nine fours and one six.

Not that Sri Lanka’s fielding was top notch yesterday. Skipper Kusal Mendis failed to collect the ball cleanly after Sahan Arachchige’s third ball in the game beat the Zimbabwe captain but the stumping chance went begging.

Ervine went onto post his 20th ODI half-century and the fifth as captain.

Charith Asalanka at slip also dropped a catch with Clive Madande on four. Jeffrey Vandersay was the bowler. The leg-spinner playing his comeback game finished with two wickets.

Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets.

Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Tinashe Kamunhukamwe for a golden duck while Dushmantha Chameera picked up two wickets bowling with lot of fire.

Sri Lanka used up eight bowlers and they look to be better off playing a specialist batsman given the amount of bowling resources at their disposal.

Depending on too many ‘all-rounders’ has proved to be disastrous for Sri Lanka under the previous selection panel and sooner the current selectors give up the policy better it is.

The first game of the three-match series was washed out by rain. Conditions were overcast yesterday as well and rain was looming large. The third and final ODI will be played on Thursday. The ODI series will be followed by three T-20 games, all matches taking place in Colombo.