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Sri Lankans to open ODI series in Zimbabwe

Sri Lankan cricketers

Top-level cricket returns to troubled Zimbabwe from Thursday this week after Sri Lanka sent a 15-player squad to play a series of five one-day internationals.

The irony is that it was Sri Lanka, as much as any Test nation, which saw the end of Test cricket here four years ago.

It was they who, having won two Tests by an innings and more than 200 runs in 2004, were the first to declare they would not play five-day matches against Zimbabwe again.

England, New Zealand and Australia quickly followed suit.

Zimbabwe were then limited to 50-overs matches against other full members of the ICC plus four-dayers against such as Kenya and Namibia.

However, there are signs that Sri Lanka may find the locals rather more than pushovers.

They held Mahela Jayewardene's side to a draw in Bulawayo last week and on Monday they skittled the Sri Lankans out for 235 runs in fewer than the allotted 50 overs.

Unfortunately heavy rain prevented the home side, Zimbabwe "A", from batting in reply.

In the four-day game, Kumar Sangakkara scored 174 and Chamara Kapugedera 150 before retiring hurt in a total of 567-4 declared.

Zimbabwe made 165 and then 238-5, with three local batsmen getting half centuries to save the game.

Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss referred to their disappointing one-day batting performance as showing lack of application.

"We need to get back into gear and quickly" he told AFP. "I'm sure it will be very different when things get serious from Thursday."

The Sri Lankans have sent 15 players to this much troubled country, including, according to Jayewardene, several youngsters gaining experience.

But there's plenty of experience, not least Muttiah Muralitharan, who Bayliss suggested will "go on and on."

Zimbabwe are working with a large squad which will be reduced Wednesday to 15, said convenor of selectors Kenya Ziehl.

Probably missing from the list will be former captain Tatenda Taibu who is in a long-running pay and conditions dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket Association.

The five matches are scheduled for November 20, 22, 24, 28 and 30.

Late November normally sees the onset of the annual rainy season here, so it is possible some play will be lost.

The Duckworth Lewis system could well be brought into effect and some unusually damp conditions experienced.

Sri Lanka squad:

Mahela Jayewardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Kapugedera, Jehan Mubarak, Thilina Kandamby, Upul Tharanga, Farveez Maharoof, Thilan Mirando, Nuwan Kalusekera, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Angelo Mathews and Dhammika Prasad.