Sri Lanka thrash Zim

A change of format could not bring a change in fortunes for Zimbabwe, as Sri Lanka thrashed them by eight wickets in the first match of a one-day international triangular series at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

Four days after Sri Lanka sealed a 2-0 Test series sweep, the tourists bowled Zimbabwe out for 154 before chasing their target inside 25 overs to claim a bonus-point victory.

As with the Test matches, Zimbabwe suffered from the fragility of their top order, falling to 14 for three in the first five overs.

The collapse began in just the fourth over, when Suranga Lakmal had both Brian Chari and Craig Ervine caught at second slip in the space of three deliveries. As in the Test series, it was left to Zimbabwe's lower order to repair the damage.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Moor struck a polished 47 and skipper Graeme Cremer sturck an unbeaten 31.

With Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Perera putting on 56 for the first wicket, the result was never in doubt. Although Perera was out for 21 and Niroshan Dickwella fell for 41, De Silva finished unbeaten on 78 as Sri Lanka romped home in 24.3 overs.

The triangular series also includes the West Indies, who will take on Sri Lanka at the same venue on Wednesday.