HARARE, 26 April 2004 — Sri Lanka took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match One-Day series with Zimbabwe here yesterday as they romped home by nine wickets having dismissed the hosts for 35, the lowest ever international total in this form of cricket.
Man-of-the-Match Chaminda Vaas took four wickets while Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper Farveez Marhoof marked his debut by taking 3 wickets for just three runs as no Zimbabwe batsman managed to make double figures — this even without having to face ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who was rested.
Zimbabwe’s unwanted record in the form of the sport that started in 1969 edged out Canada, who made just 36 also against Sri Lanka in last year’s World Cup.
Dion Ebrahim topscored with seven — extras also reached seven — while 20-year-old captain Tatenda Taibu, along with Ebrahim one of the few with international experience prior to this series as 15 white players have boycotted the tour over the sacking of Heath Streak, was out first ball.
Taibu was one of four players to fail to trouble the scorer as Zimbabwe beat their previous worst performance with the bat of 38, with Sri Lanka once more the country responsible.
Vaas took his career total of wickets to 301 with 4-11 in nine overs while Marhoof took a wicket with the fourth ball of his career at top level.
The disaster for Zimbabwe comes three weeks after 15 white professionals, who would normally field at least nine of the national team, went on strike after Streak was sacked. They are also angry because of other internal disputes involving unwanted members of the selection panel and methods of resolving player problems and disputes.
That boycott seems set to continue with the whites still refusing to make themselves available.
Zimbabwe’s selectors have no alternative but to stick with the present team, or something close to it, for the remaining two matches in the series.
