After a successful 2-0 whitewash in the Test Series, the Lions will be facing the shorter format of the game and West Indies will also travel to Zimbabwe, making it a triangular affair. Let’s take a closer look at the riveting numbers between these three sides.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
Since 1992
History was made in the first ever ODI the two sides met in itself. During the group stage at the 1992 World Cup, Sri Lanka and minnows Zimbabwe met at New Plymouth in a record breaking encounter. It was Zimbabwe’s World Cup debut as well as their first game. They were led by David Houghton, and batting first, Zimbabwe amassed 312/4 with Andy Flower scoring a magnificent unbeaten 115. In a grappling, but a memorable pursuit, Sri Lanka chased down the target in the last over, becoming the first ever team in ODI history to successfully chase down a 300+ target. Arjuna Ranatunga scored an explosive 88 in 61 deliveries, staying unbeaten until the end of a thrilling finish. However, the minnows were never to be underestimated as later they went on to shock the eventual finalists England at Albury.
The first win for Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka came in 1994 at Harare. Braced by Alistair Campbell’s unbeaten 131, Zimbabwe scored 290/5 while Sri Lanka’s reply fell short of a mere 2 runs.
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe overall ODI tally head to head –
- Played – 47
- Sri Lanka – 39
- Zimbabwe – 7
- No result – 1
Recap of the last decade
Sri Lanka travelled to Zimbabwe in 2008 and the 5-match ODI series ended in a whitewash by Sri Lanka.
In Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has hosted 21 ODIs; Sri Lanka has won 17 while Zimbabwe has won 3. One game has ended without a result.
Team Records
• Highest team totals –
Sri Lanka – 327/6 at Pallekele, 2011
Zimbabwe – 312/4 at New Plymouth, 1992
• Lowest team totals –
Sri Lanka – 153 all out (at Sharjah, 1997)
Zimbabwe – 35 all out (at Harare, 2004)
Batting Records
- Most runs – Andy Flower (919 runs in 27 innings) (Avg. 38.29)
- Most runs for Sri Lanka – Marvan Atapattu (906 runs in 25 innings) (Avg. 45.30)
- Most runs in Zimbabwe – T.M. Dilshan (461 runs in 11 innings) (Avg. 65.85)
- Most runs for Zimbabwe (in Zim) – Tatenda Taibu (382 runs in 12 innings) (Avg. 42.44)
- Highest individual score – T.M. Dilshan (144 at Pallekele, 2011)
- Highest individual score for Zimbabwe – Alistair Campbell (131* at Harare, 1994)
- Highest individual score for Sri Lanka (in Zim) – Roshan Mahanama (119* at Harare, 1994)
Bowling Records
- Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (59 wickets in 30 innings) (Avg. 14.67)
- Most wickets for Zimbabwe – Heath Streak (28 wickets in 22 innings) (Avg. 31.96)
- Most wickets in Zimbabwe – Muttiah Muralitharan (28 wickets in 11 innings) (Avg. 10.82)
- Most wickets for Zimbabwe (in Zim) – Guy Whittall (16 wickets in 8 innings) (Avg. 21.31)
- Best bowling – Ajantha Mendis (6 for 29 at Harare, 2008)
- Best bowling for Zimbabwe – Guy Whittall (4 for 35, Bulawayo, 1999)
Sri Lanka vs West Indies
Since 1975
Sri Lanka and West Indies locked horns in the international arena for the first time during the 1975 World Cup. The encounter at Manchester on the 6th of June 1975 was also Sri Lanka’s first ever ODI against a full member nation. Anura Tennekoon led the minnows while the legendary Clive Lloyd marshaled the brutal West Indian line up. Blessed by their vicious armoury of pacemen and ruthless batsmen, it was a mismatch of epic proportions. West Indies bowled out the Sri Lankans for a mere 86 runs before sealing a 9 wicket win with Bernard Julien and Keith Boyce sharing 7 scalps between them. Clive Lloyd’s men eventually went on to earn the ultimate prize.
After 10 losses, the first ODI win for Sri Lanka against West Indies came 14 years later. During the Nehru Cup at Rajkot in 1989, Sri Lanka beat the Windies by 4 wickets. Arjuna Ranatunga captained the Sri Lankans while Vivian Richards led the Caribbean outfit.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies overall ODI tally head to head –
- Played – 54
- Sri Lanka – 24
- West Indies – 27
- No Result – 3
Recap of the past Decade
During the last 15 years, Sri Lanka has lost only 6 ODIs to West Indies, winning 12 out of 20.
In 2003, the Lions traveled to the Caribbean, winning the 3-match ODI series 2-1. Both games at Bridgetown were won while the only loss came in Kingstown.
In 2008, the 3-match series in West Indies, which included two games at Port-of-Spain and one at Gros Islet, was won 2-0 by the hosts. West Indies won both ODIs at Port-of-Spain while the game at Gros Islet failed to produce a result.
The Caribbean clan visited Sri Lanka in 2011 where they suffered a 2-0 loss in the ODIs. All 3 games were played at SSC with the first ODI ending without a result followed by two wins for the Sri Lankans in the second and the third ODIs.
Last year, the 3 match bilateral ODI series hosted by Sri Lanka was won 3-0 by the home side.
At neutral territory
Sri Lanka vs West Indies ODI tally on at neutral venues –
- Played – 29
- Sri Lanka – 10
- West Indies – 19
Sri Lanka and West Indies are yet to lock horns in Zimbabwe.
Team Records
• Highest team totals –
WI – 360/4 (Karachi, 1987)
SL – 329 (Sharjah, 1995)
• Lowest team totals –
SL – 55 (Sharjah 1986)
WI – 80 (Mumbai, 2006)
Batting Records
- Most runs – Brian Lara (1122 runs in 25 innings) (Avg. 48.78)
- Most runs for Sri Lanka – Sanath Jayasuriya (922 runs in 30 innings) (Avg. 32.92)
Vivian Richard’s pulverizing 181 off 125 deliveries at Karachi in 1987 prevails as the highest individual ODI score for a West Indians against Sri Lanka. Avishka Gunawardene made the highest score for the Lions with his 132 at Nairobi in 2000.
Bowling Records
- Most wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan (34 wickets in 27 innings) (Avg. 28.11)
- Most wickets for West Indies – Courtney Walsh (26 wickets in 22 innings) (Avg. 25.88)
The best bowling figures for a Sri Lankan against West Indies were recorded by Farveez Maharoof with his 6 for 14 at Mumbai in 2006 which dismantled the Windies for 86.
Courtney Walsh’s staggering 5 for 1 (4.3-3-1-5) at Sharjah in 1986 remains not only as the best ODI figures for a Windies bowler against Sri Lanka, but also stands as possibly the most riveting bowling spell in ODI history.
Harare Sports Club
The legendary Harare Sports Club has hosted a staggering 129 ODIs standing 4th on the record of most ODIs played in a single venue. Zimbabwe has played 121 matches at the venue, winning 36, losing 83, a tie and a solitary game without a result.
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka at Harare –
- Played – 16
- Sri Lanka – 13
- Zimbabwe – 3
Zimbabwe vs West Indies at Harare –
- Played – 7
- West Indies – 5
- Zimbabwe – 2
