by R. L. Fernando
The first match of the Triangular Cricket Series, sponsored by Abans Ltd., will be played today at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The third team in the contest is the West Indies.

All arrangements have been finalised for the series by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), and the sponsors. Abans said everything seems to be in order. But the big question is the weather.

Thunder showers have been experienced especially in the Metropolis from the afternoon, during the past few days. Will they be present today too and spoil sport?

Sri Lanka lost their last one dayer series in Sharjah, where they were beaten by Pakistan in the final, and had to be satisfied with second spot while Zimbabwe, who were disappointing, was placed in third and last position.

But Sri Lanka came back to their own by whitewashing the West Indies 3-0 recently at home.

It was the Lankans first ever win in a complete Test series here or abroad.

The Zimbabweans in the meantime, following their poor showing in Sharjah, had Bangladesh at their mercy subsequently with some of their batsmen showing encouraging form.

But a major problem faced by the Zimbabweans has been the selection of their captain.

They have had many captains in the recent past: the Flower brothers, Heath Streak, Murphy in Sharjah, and on the current tour Stuart Carlisle. For some reason or other, they have been struggling to find a permanent captain. So far on tour they lost two practice matches to Lankan ‘A’ teams, one at Moratuwa and the other at Police Park, Bambalapitiya.

But the results of those two practice matches may not be considered as serious as the Zimbabwe team has sprung surprises on many occasions when least expected of them.

Today’s game is a day match and the SSC wicket, has been so friendly that it will be difficult to predict who will enter the winners enclose in this funny game of wicket.

The Lankan’s on the other hand should be brimming with confidence following their recent success over the Windies. The top order batsmen are in fine fettle and so are the bowlers, especially ace spinner Muralitharan, and paceman Vaas, who have been among the wickets.

Let’s not be pundits in the game of uncertainty and instead, allow the game to take its own course and may the better performer win.

Sri Lanka (from) - Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Avishka Gunawardena, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Suresh Perera, Nuwan Zoysa, Kumara Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Charitha Buddhika, Prabath Nissanka, Chamara Silva, Upul Chandana.

Zimbabwe (from) - Stuart Carlisle (Capt), Heath Streak, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Dion Ibrahim, Trevor Gripper, Craig Wishart, Douglas Marillier, Mluleki Nkala, Travis Friend, Gary Brent, Henry Olonga, Sean Ervine, Tatenra Taibu.