Sri Lankan team arrives in Zimbabwe

The Sri Lankan National cricket team has arrived Zimbabwe, for the tour which is made up of two Tests as well as a triangular One Day International series which will involve the West Indies. 

Sri Lanka touched down at Harare International Airport yesterday afternoon.  They were welcomed by Zimbabwe Cricket officials, head of human resources and corporate affairs Nesta Vaki, national teams and cricket affairs manager Christian Chiketa as well as public relations and media manager Darlington Majonga.

Left arm spinner Rangana Herath will lead the Sri Lankans in the two Tests, the first of which gets underway at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. 

The 38-year-old Herath is standing in for the injured all rounder Angelo Matthews who is ruled by a torn calf.

Regular vice-captain Dinesh Chandimal also missed the trip because of the thumb injury. Herath recently put up a superb show with the red ball in his left hand as Sri Lanka demolished Australia 3-0 in a Test series in July/ August in the Asian country.

He took 28 wickets in those three Tests against the Aussies.

Seventeen years after making his Test debut, Herath is set to become the oldest player to lead a team for the first time in the prolonged version of the game at international level during the series against Zimbabwe. 

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean squad has been trimmed down from 20 to16 for the two tests.

Sri Lanka Squad: Rangana Herath (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper),  Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sadakan, Kasun Madhushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Gamage, Suranga Lakmal, Asela Gunarathne.

Zimbabwe Squad: Graeme Cremer (captain), , Peter Moor (wicketkeeper), Regis Chakabva (wicketkeeper), Christopher Mpofu, Sean Williams, Brian Chari, Craig Ervine Tarisai Musakanda, Carl Mumba, Hamilton Masakadza, Malcolm Waller, Taurai Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Michael Chinouya, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Donald Tiripano.