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Zimbabwe 67 (30.6/50 overs; Taibu 12, Menid 4/15. Sri Lanka yet to bat
More later. Kinda a foregone conclusion what the result is going to be, though, as Zimbabwe have gone from embarrassing to humiliating.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field in the 1st ODI in Harare today, and while Zimbabwe got off to a decent start, reaching 121/4, the loss of 7 wickets for just 3 runs (the three runs going to not-out batsman Tatenda Taibu - the 7 men out all failed to score) brought the famous Zimbabwe Collapse™ to new levels. Taibu was the top-scorer on 36*, but that was no consolation in a truly dismal display. Murali, who Proser Utseya claimed before the match was "no threat", took 4/14 from just 4 overs, while Mendis chipped in with 3/26, leaving Sri Lanka with an eminently chasable target.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost a wicket before a run was even on the board as Upul Tharanga was run out thanks to Chris Mpofu's quick reflexes, giving hopeful fans the thought of the wickets continuing to tumble through Sri Lanka's innings, but sadly that wasn't to be. While Zim did the best they could to contain Sri Lanka, with such a small target to bowl to they were always on the losing end of the battle and, after an innings that's not likely to be remembered for being entertaining cricket, the visitors reached their target with 100 balls remaining. Sangakkara's unbeaten 50 was the to Sri Lankan score, while Price's 2/24 was the highlight of an economical if unthreatening performance by Zim's bowlers.

If there's hope to be taken from this match, it's from the bowling and fielding performances - as ever, it's the batsmen who have let us down once again. Scorecard & innings commentaries for this match are below the cut - next match is on Saturday. See you then.
Zimbabwe 127 (31/50 overs; Taibu 36*, Muralitharan 4/14), Sri Lanka 130/4 (33.2/50 overs; Sangakkara 50*, Price 2/24). Sri Lanka win by 6 wickets.

Bangladesh Cricket Board have released the schedule for Zimbabwe's tour to the country in January, with the surprise being the inclusion of a Tri-Series including Sri Lanka. Seems we just can't avoid playing Sri Lanka at the moment... The full schedule is:

Tour Match
Tue 6 - Thu 8 Jan       Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy v Zimbabweans

Tri-Series
Sat 10 Jan      Bangladesh v Zimbabwe
Mon 12 Jan      Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
Wed 14 Jan      Bangladesh v Sri Lanka
Sat 17 Jan      Final

ODI Series
Mon 19 Jan      1st ODI
Wed 21 Jan      2nd ODI
Fri 23 Jan      3rd ODI

All ODIs will be held at at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur; the venue for the first-class tour match is to be confirmed.

No result from yesterday's one-day tour match between Zimbabwe A and Sri Lankans, as rain intervened at lunch and prevented Zimbabwe's batsmen from getting a knock. Sri Lankans won the toss and elected to bat, probably hoping for some additional batting practice after their first-innings knockabout in the four-day tour match, but to their credit Zimbabwe A's bowlers managed to restrict them to what would have been a chasable 235 all out. Opener Upul Tharanga (71) and Jehan Mubarak (88*) did the bulk of the work for the visitors, with no-one else managing to pass 20, while Ed Rainsford marked his return to form with 3/29. Admire Manyuma and Malcolm Waller also chipped in with 3 wickets apiece, giving Zimbabwe A the look of a competitive side.

There was to be no upset thanks to the weather, but at least the A side's performance gave some reason for hope. Next up: the first ODI on Thursday 20th November. Full scorecard for this match is below the cut.
Sri Lankans 235 (48.1/50 overs; Mubarak 88*, Rainsford 3/29), Zimbabwe A did not bat. Match abandoned (rain) - no result.

Zimbabwe Select's 4-day match against the Sri Lankans may have ended in a draw, but don't let that fool you into thinking that the home side put up a fight - Sri Lanka were fully in control of this match, and it was only their apparent desire for batting practice in their only innings that stopped them form comprehensively winning the game. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Select gave us an wonderful demonstration of the Zimbabwe Collapse™ in their first innings as the Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Ajantha Mendis (4/59), cut easily through the batting lineup. Elton Chigumbura's 33 was the top score as a number of key players managed to play themselves out before really getting started. With no real partnerships to anchor the innings, Select were bowled out for just 159 - not nearly good enough if Zimbabwe are trying to persuade the ICC that they're ready to return to Test cricket.

In reply, Sri Lankans score 567/4 before calling it a day and declaring, with both Kumar Sangakkara (174) and Chamara Kapugedera (150) scoring big centuries as Select simply failed to bother them with their bowling. Three other players scored half-centuries. The declaration gave Sri Lankans a chance to push for a win, especially if Select repeated their first-innings performance, but to their credit Zimbabwe at least put up a fight to force the draw, let by good performances - and not before time - from Hamilton Maskadza (72) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (71). Mendis again proved a thorn in Select's side, this time taking 4/86, but Select were able to hold out until close of play, ending the final day on 238/5 and claiming a draw that they really didn't deserve.

Zimbabwe's weaknesses have now been clearly exposed, and the side has a lot of work to do before the 1st ODI if a humiliating whitewash is to be avoided. The next match is a one-day tour match on 17 November, where we'll all be looking for signs of major improvement. Full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe Select 159 (Chigumbura 33, Mendis 4/59) & 238/5 (H Masakadza 72, Mendis 4/86), Sri Lankans 567/4 decl (Sangakkara 174, Utseya 3/133). Match Drawn

ZC have named a 15-man squad for the 4-day tour match against Sri Lanka, to be played in Bulawayo later this week. The squad is:
Prosper Utseya (captain), Stuart Matsikenyere, Tatenda Taibu, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Tawanda Mupariwa, Chris Mpofu, Chamu Chibhabha, Keith Dabengwa, Graeme Cremer, Regis Chakabva, Timycen Maruma, Shingirai Masakadza, Tafadzwa Ngulube and Trevor Garwe.

Notable by his absence is Ray Price, who is apparently being "rested", while Taurai Muzarabani is out following an injury picked up on the Kenya tour and Cephas Zhuwawo is also dropped. In their places come Shingirai Masakadza, who is due a chance after some stellar performances in the Logan Cup, Trevor Garwe (a long-time Zimbabwe Provinces mainstay) and Tafadzwa Ngulube.

Vusi Sibanda had been expected to make his return, but he's now headed to South Africa for further medical checks and isn't now expected to play until the one-day warm-up match on 17 November.

Zimbabwe Cricket have confirmed the full intinerary for the upcoming tour by Sri Lanka. The details are:

12-15 November 2008     Zimbabwe Select v Sri Lanka     Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo
17 November 2008        Zimbabwe Select v Sri Lanka     Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo
20 November 2008        Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka: 1st ODI   Harare Sports Club
22 November 2008        Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka: 2nd ODI   Harare Sports Club
24 November 2008        Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka: 3rd ODI   Harare Sports Club
28 November 2008        Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka: 4th ODI   Harare Sports Club
30 November 2008        Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka: 5th ODI   Harare Sports Club

Overnight rain, and inadequate drainage facilities at the Nairobi Gymkhana Grounds, let to the abandonment of today's Tri-Series final between Zimbabwe and Kenya without a ball being bowled. With no reserve day set aside, that leaves a result impossible and means that Kenya and Zimbabwe share the title. The words "washout" and "anti-climax" come to mind.

Next up for Zimbabwe: the visit of Sri Lanka next month.

Sri Lanka have named their squad for their upcoming visit to Zimbabwe, with Kumar Sangakkara being named captain after an earlier-than-expected return from injury. Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas are absent from the side, having opted out citing personal reasons. The full squad is:
Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Kapugedara, Jehan Mubarak, Thilan Kandamby, Upul Tharanga, Farveez Maharoof, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Angelo Mathews, Dhammika Prasad.
Cricket365 - Sangakkara Back For Zim Tour

Zimbabwe and Kenya will contest the final of the Kenya Tri-Series after rain saw the abandonment of their final round-robin stage match. That left all three teams level on 9 points, with Zimbabwe and Kenya top on Net Run Rate - Ireland's thrashing at the hands of Zimbabwe in the tournament opener has certainly cost them dear.

The final is scheduled for Saturday 25th, weather permitting.