Sri Lankan batsman Niroshan Dickwell slammed a century and his hot opening stand with Danushka Gunathilaka set a new ODI record in Hambantota on Saturday. The Lankans were batting first after winning the toss against Zimbabwe in the fourth ODI.
Niroshan Dickwell and Danushka Gunathilaka were in solid form as they milked the Zimbabwean attack on a batting pitch. Gunathilaka was the first to go, bowled by Malcolm Waller for 87.
But by then, Dickwella and Gunathilaka had set a new record in ODIs. Their 209-run opening wicket stand was the first time a pair had scored over 200 runs in consecutive ODIs.
Niroshan Dickwella went on to complete his century. The 24-year-old left-hander smashed tons in back-to-back ODIs. Waller’s spin trapped him LBW for 116 (118 balls, eight fours).
Dickwella and Gunathilaka fell in a space of seven runs, but they had laid a solid foundation for remainder of the top order to set up a massive score.
Sri Lanka lead the five-match series 2-1 and made one change from the last match. The Lankans handed a first one-day cap to pace bowler Asitha Fernando in place of Nuwan Pradeep.
Zimbabwe also made a change bringing in seamer Chris Mpofu in place off Carl Mumba.
Hindustan Times
