Player of the Match
Player of the Match

6.24 pm All of that sets up the series decider magnificently. And we will bring you all the coverage from that game on Monday. Till then, hope you enjoyed ESPNcricinfo's coverage of the fourth ODI from Hambantota. From Sreshth and Shashank, it's goodbye.

6.20 pm It was a long match day but one that ended with a result. We went overtime today, but no one minds that when the cricket is so exciting. Zimbabwe level the series, courtesy their bowling at the death and the start provided by Mire and Masakadza. After that Ervine came to the party and ensured there was no stumbling after the rain break. Sri Lanka will have some homework to do ahead of the series' final game. How they only managed to only set a 301 target - after they were at 208 for no loss after 35 overs - is something the captain and coach will need to ponder over. Sri Lanka's bowling looked bleak too, except for Gunaratne's wily bowling under the cloudy skies. The debutant Fernando leaked runs and so did the young spinner Sandakan, while Malinga looked like a pale shadow of his former self. Between all of that, openers Dickwella and Gunathilaka became the only pair to ever notch up a partnership of 200+ in consecutive matches. But do those stats really matter if a team cannot win?

More reactions. Lungile says: "So good to see the boys on top on their game. This was an outstanding performance. Regardless of what happens in the decider l think there is so much to praise in how the team has gone about their business. Great job Heath, Makhaya and all the off-field team. #weareback !!"

6.05 pm Time for the presentation ceremony. Craig Ervine is the player of the match. "The rain break wasn't too bad. We knew the target. We just needed to execute our plans. Tying the series is exciting. We will come back and try to win that last game."

Losing captain Angelo Mathews: "I thought 300 was enough but credit to Zimbabwe. I moved up to get the momentum after Dickwella and Dhanushka. The wicket slowed up a bit but the shot selection was poor too. It's been an interesting series so far. Zimbabwe have played really well. We need to step up,"

Winning captain Graeme Cremer: "We knew we were ahead of the rate, and that we were in the game during the rain. Our batting was excellent. The pressures of winning a series does not put pressure on us. We can put up scores as well as chase them. Our final ten overs were excellent. Our bowlers really pulled it back.

Akshar Kaul: "As a cricket fan i am delighted at the rise of Zimbabwe cricket but at the same time i am disappointed by the level of cricket played by Sri Lanka."

Attila: "Sri Lanka never quite have luck on their side during these chases in poor light. Whether they're defending or chasing. No credit taken away from Ervine and Co. though. Great batting."

29.2
4
Sandakan to Ervine, FOUR, and that's the winning runs!, he brings out the paddle reverse sweep and plays it fine once again, races away to the boundary and Zimbabwe tie the five-match series 2-2. This series will be decided on the final match-day.
29.1
W
Sandakan to Waller, OUT, full on off stump and he slogs it!. Its a slog but not well timed, he holes out to the deep fielder on the leg side. Good catch given how dark it is. Waller went for the glory shot, there

MN Waller c Gunathilaka b Sandakan 20 (16m 13b 3x4 0x6) SR: 153.84

END OF OVER:
29 | 12 Runs | ZIM: 215/5 (4 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.41, RRR: 2.00)

  • Malcolm Waller20 (12b)
  • Craig Ervine65 (54b)
  • Danushka Gunathilaka2-0-16-0
  • Wanindu Hasaranga6-0-40-3
28.6
1
Gunathilaka to Waller, 1 run, good length on middle, rocks back and cuts it to the sweeper at the deep
28.5
4
Gunathilaka to Waller, FOUR, wide outside leg and Waller sticks his leg out, brings his bat to a paddle position, and simply helps the ball fine down the leg side. No chance for the fine leg fielder who is placed a little too square
28.4
4
Gunathilaka to Waller, FOUR, backs away and his bottom hand drives the ball towards cover for four. Excellent shot

SL v ZIM 2017 News

Zimbabwe 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st67H MasakadzaSF Mire
2nd15SF MireTK Musakanda
3rd46CR ErvineTK Musakanda
4th17CR ErvineSC Williams
5th27CR ErvineSikandar Raza
6th43CR ErvineMN Waller
7th4CR ErvinePJ Moor