PALLEKELE: Two tons of Sri Lankan openers, Tharanga (133) and Dilshan (144), self Homeside to 327 in the group game against Zimbabwe in Pallekele Thursday.
Tharanga (133) Dilshan (144) and led his age, as well as the two openers past record for the opening partnership in the World Cup.
However, the record opening stand of 282 runs to score when Upul Tharanga fell into a deep, soon followed by Tillakaratne Dilshan and wicket Thissara Perera's.
Before that, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes took a record with 195 runs scored against Zimbabwe at Worcester 13 June 1983.
Sri Lanka's dashing blade Dilshan returned to form with his ninth ODI century, which took just 95 balls towards writing partnership with Tharanga.
Tharanga and Dilshan took Zimbabwe's bowlers for the janitors, and went from strength to strength after a training-century stand.
The two openers took to the weak boilers Zimbabwe from word go, especially Dilshan who was out to prove a point after his dismal performance so far in the World Cup.
Earlier, Zimbabwe's Elton Chigumbura captain won the toss and decided to bowl first in their group meetings.
Sri Lanka, surprisingly, has decided to field four Pacers - Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Pererea and all-rounder Angelo Mathews - in the game on Thursday. It also means only Muttiah Muralitharan has played as a specialist in counter for the Lankan Lions.
Zimbabwe brought in pacer Chris Mpofu to the place of opening batsman Charles Coventry.
African people who have never beaten Sri Lanka in the four previous World Cup matches, must win to stay in the hunt for the final place.
Zimbabwe has two points from their victory over Canada while they lost to the New-Zeaaland and Australia.
Sri Lanka on the other hand, find themselves in at number 3 in the points table, which is headed by New Zealand ahead of Pakistan with Australia at number 4.
Nothing less than winning must meet Lankan fans, who saw his team down to Pakistan in their second match before thrasing Kenya in the next game. Their game against Australia was washed, and the two teams shared points.
Some emotions are also attached to the match on Thursday, as it could be the last time the spin legend, Murali, playing in front of fans.
Teams:
Sri Lanka: U Tharanga, T Dilshan, K Sangakkara (captain), M Jayawardene, T Samaraweera, C Silva, Mathews, N Kulasekara, T Perera, L Malinga, M Muralitharan
Zimbabwe: B Taylor, R Chakabva, T Taibu, P Utseya, C Ervine, E Chigumbura (captain), G Lamas, G Kramer, R Price, T Panyangara, C Mpofu
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