Mendis the focus as Sri Lanka swoop in

Match facts

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

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

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.

"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.