Zimbabwe win toss and bowl in dead rubber

Zimbabwe players Tatenda Taibu and Raymond Price celebrate the wicket of India batsman Yusuf Pathan

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to field first in the last tri-nations series game against Sri Lanka here on Monday.

The last tri-nations game between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Club is technically a "dead rubber" but holds a lot of significance ahead of the final between them on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe want to show the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Test nations that it may not be long before they seek to rejoin the elite.

And in order to do this they must show they are capable of beating the likes of Sri Lanka in 50 overs matches or at least go close. They have decisively disposed of India twice in this tournament.

Zimbabwe also have the objective of wiping away memories of the match on this ground against Sri Lanka almost a decade ago when they established a world record low score of 35.

Zimbabwe failed in that regard at Bulawayo last week they were sent packing for only 118 runs by the Sri Lankans, well under their 27 overs allocation due to rain.

Sri Lanka will be keen to record a second and perhaps decisive victory over the home side, because that was something India failed to achieve, and would give them a psychological advantage two days ahead of the final.

Zimbabwe made two changes from the team that beat India on Thursday. Greg Lamb has a hip strain and is rested, while Andy Blignaut drops out with an unspecified leg injury for a return of Chris Mpofu.

Bowling coach Heath Streak told AFP: "We're being cautious with Lamb and Mpofu returns for the one place available for a seamer, as we are unsure of Blignaut's fitness."

Sri Lanka made two changes with Dilhara Fernando returning for Nuwan Kulasekera and Lahiru Thirimana for Ajantha Mendis.

Teams:

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Tatenda Taibu, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Prosper Utseya, Ray Price, Chris Mpofu.

Sri Lanka: Tillekeratne Dilshan (capt), Upul Tharanga, Tilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapudegera, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perara, Suraj Randiv, Dilhara Fernando, Thurasa Mirando, Lahiru Thirimani.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (RSA), Russell Tiffin (ZIM)

Match referee: Jeffrey Crowe (NZL).

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