Colombo is all set to host the third SL vs ZIM ODI on January 11, Thursday. The match starts at 2.30 pm IST. The first ODI was rained out while the second ODI saw a complete game. However, there is always a forecast of rain surrounding the venue.
Colombo as a venue hosted Asia Cup 2023 matches and rain played spoilsport in many matches. Heading into this game, there are 85 percent chances of rain throughout the day. A washout will mean Sri Lanka will win the series courtesy of their win in the second ODI.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 208 with Maheesh Theekshana taking four wickets. Dusmantha Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay took two each. For the visitors skipper Craig Ervine top-scored with 82.
Zimbabwe bowlers troubled the Sri Lankan batters and made it hard for them to chase a relatively lowish total. The hosts were 8 down before the lower order contributed to the team’s win. This was after Janith Liyanage scored 85 off 127 deliveries. Chameera (18*), Theekshana (18*), and Vandersay (19) scored key runs in the lower order to take Sri Lanka to win and lead the series 1-0.
The two teams play a three-match T20I series after the end of the ODI series. The T20I series will also be played in Colombo. The two teams will have different captains. Wanindu Hasaranga will lead the hosts while Sikandar Raza will lead Zimbabwe. Interestingly, Zimbabwe are yet to win a T20I match against the Lankans. The Sri Lankan leggie did not play the first two ODIs. It will be interesting to see if he plays the third ODI.
Craig Ervine will lead Zimbabwe. They lost an ODI series against Ireland heading into this series. Ervine the skipper will need support from his senior players if they are to beat Sri Lanka at home. They have not played top-class ODI teams in recent times and tackling the Sri Lankan bowling attack might be an issue for the side as it turned out in the last game. Zimbabwe will need to bat a lot better if they are to challenge Sri Lanka in the decider.
The two teams have played 63 ODIs with the Lankans winning 48 games and the Aftercan nation 12. Three matches have ended in no result with the first ODI being the latest. The two teams have played just three T20Is with Sri Lanka winning all three. Sri Lanka have won 14 of the 20 Test matches played between the two sides while Zimbabwe hasn’t won any to date.
SL vs ZIM Weather Report Live Today And Pitch Report Of R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Stadium – 3rd ODI, 2024
Colombo is amongst the oldest cricket stadiums in the world. It has hosted 163 ODIs with 88 matches won by the team batting first and 64 by the team chasing. The average first innings score is close to 150 with the average second innings getting lower. The team batting first has a better chance of winning the match with the pitch getting slower and slower in the evening.
Speaking about the weather conditions for the SL vs ZIM final ODI, there are 85 percent chance of rain. The weather conditions will be “Cloudy and humid with a couple of showers” expected in the afternoon as per Accuweather. The temperature will be around 31 degrees and by evening it will drop to 26 degrees with Overcast and humid with some rain and thunderstorms expected. Rain is almost a given to play spoilsport in the decider.
Also Read: SL vs ZIM: Sri Lanka Squad For Zimbabwe T20Is Announced; Angelo Mathews Returns
