Sri Lanka are clearly favourite to win the Tri Nation Series

[##Dougie Mariller]

Zimbabwe fought hard, in what to be the semi final of the tri series to meet Sri Lanka at the final with the nature also giving some support to the hosts in 2 matches. It was a great fight from Sikandar Raza & T.Chisoro adding 92 runs in the 9th wicket after massive collapse at the top order with 8/127.

Zimbabwe through out the tri sereis had failures in openning partnerships. Brian Chari scored total of just 52 runs in 4 matches, with a poor average of 13, he looked to be more defensive in test mode, wasting bowls in the first 10 over of the power play, where the other teams smashes, taking the advantage of fielding restrictions.His technique, also indicates that he just wanted to stay instead of scoring runs, thats simply not the way odi cricket is played.Chari's partner Chamu Chibhabha who has made debut in 2006, far more experienced looks completely out of touch. His career also shows he is a below average cricketer, played 100 odis, still to score a ton, career average is also poor 23.03, he also have failed in the sereis scoring just 42 in 3 matches with the average of 14.
Comming to the big boys, Hamilton Masakadza looked out of touch throughout the year, he failed against India, tests against New Zealand, test against Sri Lanka now even in the tri sereis, 20s & 30s from an experienced player with 169 odis are not enough to lift the team, same goes with Elton Chigumburra, haven't been in bussiness for a long time now, and have been dropped recently for poor performances, but has been picked regularly in odis for his allround option. With the experience of 205 odis, he has also looked out of colours for long time, and has managed to score just 9 runs in 3 odis.

For Sean Williams,the sereis is going poor with the bat, but he has bern good with his left arm spin giving break throughs. With the bat, he managed just 11 runs in all the 4 games he played, while he recently had some good test knocks with tons & 50s,hope he shows some performances in the biggest stage of final

Zimbabwe team is single handedly carried by Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza in the whole sereis getting 50s & 90s. Peter Moor starting every innings with aggressive intent but getting out without proper finish and support from the lower order has been key for Zimbabwe, Tiripano, Cremer & new sensation Chisoro is showing some intent with the bat, but that will not make Zimbabwe to provide any sort of fight with the Sri Lankan Team. Sri Lanka are more then a month in Zimbabwe now, and now they have coped up with the condition, Dickwella, Mendis, De Silva 's performances have shown in the last match that they are now ready for the big stage in final. Sri Lankan Pacers have done well in the sereis, spinners did the fair job.

Zimbabwe Spinners troubled the West Indies. Sri Lankans, being a team of sub - continent playing in the spin friendly conditions, Spin will never be a problem for them. Zimbabwe pacers haven't done any great with the ball, to get early wickets, maintain decent line & length. Resources remaining with Zimbabwe are now, T.Musakanda, who still to make debut, Malcolm Waller who had poor test series, Carl Mumba, can offer some pace but, with bulawayo track being slow & providing some assistance to the spinners, its quite sure that, Zimbabwe will go with Mpofu & Tiripano. The Way, Sri Lanka have improved after early defeat is quite exceptional.

Zimbabwe Playing XI seems will never change.The Resources Zimbabwe left with and the players featuring in the main team, doesn't seems can trouble Sri Lanka, its clearly Sri Lanka, the favourite to win the tri nation sereis.

[Conant]

Wonderful. You should write for cricinfo .

[##Dougie Mariller]

Zimbabwe Resources were limited, Experienced Players have been fully flop, but Moor, Mumba, Musakanda & Vitori are definately the future of Zimbabwe Cricket

[brmtaylor.com admin]

Tino mentioned on commentary that a tour of SL in July is the next tour as listed in the FTP, but ZC are currently trying to organise some other tours.
Do any In-The-Knows have any word on what those other tours might be?