Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe pitch report: Sri Lanka host Zimbabwe in the curtain-raiser ODI of a multi-format series as they look to begin the year on a high note. After yet another underwhelming World Cup, Sri Lanka will head into the ODI series with Kusal Mendis leading the ODI side officially.
The Lankan Lions have made a late change to their squad as Pathum Nissanka has been admitted to the hospital for a suspected dengue infection and will miss the ODI series. He has been replaced by youngster Shevon Daniel.
Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will play in a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and as many T20Is. The first ODI will take place on January 6, Saturday, followed by the other two on January 8 and January 11. The T20I series will begin on January 14. All six games will be held at R. Premadasa Stadium.
R Premadasa Stadium pitch report
The R Premadasa Stadium has hosted 161 ODI matches so far. The venue has enough to help the bowlers but batters with strong technique can muster handsome totals. The average first innings score at the venue is 232, which goes down to 191 in the reply. Out of the 161 matches, teams batting first have emerged victorious on 88 attempts, while teams bowling first have won 63 matches.
R Premadasa Stadium - The Numbers Game
ODI stats
Total ODIs - 161
Matches won batting first - 88
Matches won bowling first - 63
Average 1st innings Score - 232
Average 2nd innings Score - 191
Highest total recorded - 375/5 By IND vs SL
Lowest total recorded - 50/10 By SL vs IND
Highest score chased - 292/4 By SL vs AUS
The lowest score defended - 170/10 By WIW vs SLW
Squads:
Zimbabwe Squad: Joylord Gumbie(w), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Milton Shumba, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Craig Ervine(c), Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Faraz Akram, Tony Munyonga, Tapiwa Mufudza, Ryan Burl
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Avishka Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Sahan Arachchige, Dilshan Madushanka
