India’s win over New Zealand at Centurion on Friday has opened the way for Sri Lanka to advance to a World Cup semi-final place, provided they beat Zimbabwe in their final Super Six match at Buffalo Park on Saturday.
On the other hand Zimbabwe can do New Zealand a huge favour by winning on Saturday, allowing Stephen Fleming’s Black Caps into the semi-final through the back door.
So there’ll be plenty of needle in this match with both teams going flat out for victory.
Zimbabwe want to end their World Cup campaign with a bang with a victory which they will dedicate to their former captain, Andy Flower who has announced his retirement from all international cricket.
On the other hand Sri Lanka want to emulate their 1996 team and get through to the final. A win Saturday will set them up against Australia in a tough semi-final at Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
At a lunch time press conference Friday coach Dav Whatmore had stated that they would be rooting for India to win their Super Six game against New Zealand. There was thus plenty of cheering in the Sri Lanka camp when India’s Mohammad Kaif scored the winning run on Friday.
But now it’s up to Sri Lanka to do their bit on the field of play and beat Zimbabwe.
Spectators will be hoping to see a typical aggressive Sanath Jayasuriya innings — all fours and sixes as the boundary gets assaulted, a stroke-filled Marvan Atapattu knock, followed by some peerless swing bowling by left-hander Chaminda Vaas — the leading wicket-taker this World Cup — and some mesmerising off-spin bowling by Muttiah Muralitharan.
From Zimbabwe’s side Flower’s swan song innings will be watched with a feeling of sadness and nostalgia. What a great servant he’s been for Zimbabwe cricket over the years.
An exciting match looms. Squads: Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Russel Arnold, Marvan Atapattu, Charitha Buddhika, Aravinda de Silva, Dilhara Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Avishka Gunawardene, Mahela Jayawardene, Jehan Mubarak, Muttiah Muralitharan, Prabath Nissanka, Kumar Sangakkara, Hashan Tillekaratne, Chaminda Vaas
Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (capt), Andy Blignaut, Alistair Campbell, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Travis Friend, Douglas Hondo, Doug Marillier, Stuart Matsikanyeri, Henry Olanga, Tatenda Taibu, Guy Whittall, Craig Wishart.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (SA), Brian Jerling (SA). TV umpire: Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan (India) Fourth umpire: Simon Taufel (Aust).
Match referee: Clive LLoyd (West Indies). -Sapa