SL VS ZIM - 4th ODI, Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka, 2017

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe won by 4 wkts (DLS method - Zimbabwe innings reduced to 31 overs due to rain)

ZIM -219/6 (29.2)

SL -300/6 (49.6)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Craig Ervine

Batter

R
B
4s
6s
SR
69
55
8
1
125.45
0
0
0
0
0

Bowler

O
M
R
W
ECO

Just when Lord's threatens to cook up a one-sided cricket match, Hambantota had a beauty on offer. Sri Lanka playing Zimbabwe keeps no one awake, unfortunately, but the rivalry in this series is a testament to cricket's ability to mock us back, as much as it is a testament to Sri Laka's decline and Zimbabwe's rise in equal measures. The last one will be good, too. Join us for the fifth ODI on Monday (July 10). Till then, that's it from Pratyush Sinha, Pradeep and Srinivas. You're now allowed switch to the Lord's Test, ta-ta!

***

Presentations:

Graeme Cremer - captain, Zimbabwe: "Yes (I was worried with the adjusted target). But we knew we were always in the game. No real pressure. We can chase a score and set a score. We pulled it back in the last ten, when Sri Lanka looked set for 340-350."

Angelo Mathews - captain, Sri Lanka: "I thought it was enough. How many times do you lose after scoring 300. Credit to Zimbabwe, we were below the mark. We kept losing wickets. The way Dickwella batted, they set up a nice platform. The wicket slowed up a little but wasn't bad. We will try to win the final one."

Craig Ervine - Player of the Match: "It wasn't too bad. You have the target in front of you; you have to execute your plans. We will come back and try to win the grand final, the last one."

***

05:58pm local: If you had tuned in at the start of the day, you'd be a different fan, empathizing with Zimbabwe reeling under the weight of a record consecutive 200-plus opening stand from Sri Lanka. Dickwella rallied on to his hundred too but Waller, Zimbabwe's seventh bowling option, then impeded the charge, getting wickets of both the well-set openers. And then hit important boundaries to support a brilliant Craig Ervine in the rain-shortened chase, and parried Zimbabwe over the line. Sri Lanka erred in taking the foot off the pedal, much like the first ODI, and paid for it. 11 runs off the last two overs is just not on in game's modern disposition.

29.2

4

Sandakan to Craig Ervine, FOUR, a four-wicket win for Zimbabwe. What a win this has been. Craig Ervine plays the reverse through third man and draws Zimbabwe level at 2-2, with a game to go

Peter Moor, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Zimbabwe win!

Peter Moor, right handed bat, comes to the crease

29.1

W

Sandakan to Waller, out Caught by Gunathilaka!! Falls to a glory hit. Plays the slog sweep and realized immediately that he hadn't timed it. Tried to take the bottom hand off but it carried to the fielder in the deep. Nothing celebration from Sri Lanka; they know it's done. Waller c Gunathilaka b Sandakan 20(13) [4s-3]

Sandakan to Waller, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Lakshan Sandakan [3.0-0-41-0] is back into the attack

END OF OVER 29

12 Runs

ZIM: 215 - 5

1 0 2 4 4 1

Malcolm Waller

20 (12)

Craig Ervine

65 (54)

Gunathilaka

2-0-16-0

28.6

Gunathilaka to Waller, 1 run, stands tall and opens the punch through point

28.5

4

Gunathilaka to Waller, FOUR, a line down leg. Readymade for scoop and Waller plays it in Dilshan's land. Only right. Zimbabwe a maximum away!

28.4

4

Gunathilaka to Waller, FOUR, thrashes Gunathilaka through covers. Gears up on the back foot and forces the cut through covers. 9 needed

28.3

Gunathilaka to Waller, 2 runs, flicked over mid-wicket. Fielder jumps but it was just that little bit high

28.2

Gunathilaka to Waller, no run, hits the thigh as Waller misses his sweep down leg. Good decision from the ump to not call it a wide down leg