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Brandon Moyo
BOWLER Richard Ngarava is set to play in today’s One-Day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka after picking up an injury during the first ODI on Saturday.
Ngarava (26) suffered from cramps and was unable to finish the first game, which ended up being abandoned due to rain.
The left-arm fast bowler has been Zimbabwe’s most consistent bowler in the last year and will provide a big boost for the Chevrons.
However, Zimbabwe’s batters will need to step up and create solid partnerships, especially at the top order, if they are to go 1-0 up in the series.
The Chevrons face Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo for the second ODI.
Ngarava only managed to bowl 6.4 overs and picked up two wickets for 39 runs before the scare.
In picking up those two wickets, he reached 50 ODI wickets for Zimbabwe in what was his 42nd match in the iconic red jersey.
“I am alright bud,” Ngarava posted on X (formerly Twitter) responding to a question on how his leg was.
His return to the team will be a big boost for the Chevrons who will be looking to cause an upset and win their first white-ball series on Sri Lankan soil since 2017.
It was not Ngarava only who needed the attention of the physiotherapist in the match, as debutant Faraz Akram also went down with cramps while bowling, but managed to finish the match and is likely to be available for today’s encounter.
On Saturday, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first and were restricted to 273/9 in 50 overs before rain interrupted play with Zimbabwe struggling on 12/2 off four overs.
They had lost the wickets of Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, bowled for a golden duck, and skipper Craig Ervine, who was caught in the slips for a four-ball duck.
From the 12 runs, nine were extras and the batters will have to step up in today’s match.
Today’s match will be a day/night game and is scheduled to start at 11am Zimbabwean time.
The third and final ODI will be played on Wednesday at the same venue.
Online Reporter