HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP): Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said Zimbabwe’s lack of depth is the biggest obstacle to its team reaching the level of test-playing nations.

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by six wickets in the first of the five-match, limited-overs series last Thursday. It then hammered the Zimbabweans by nine wickets on Saturday after the hosts plummeted to their second-lowest ODI score of 67. Their lowest total of 35 was against the Sri Lankans on the same ground back in 2004.

"Those first two games showed the difference in approach between the top teams and the other teams," Jayawardene said Thursday. "There is definitely a lot of talent, and with experience they will improve, but they need to be challenged as well.

"That’s one reason players get into a comfort zone. If there is no problem and competition, they like to stay in the comfort zone. There is talent, but whether they are willing to push is the question you need to ask."

Zimbabwe improved to lose the third match by 5 runs, but Jayawardene said his team is now aiming to sweep Zimbabwe in the series when it resumes Friday at Harare Sports Club.

"Whether we play Zimbabwe, Australia or Pakistan, the approach doesn’t change," Jayawardene said. "Our challenge is to be consistent and we want to win every game we play."