Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 3rd ODI: Colombo R Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, ODI Stats & Records

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka will look to seal the three-match series when they host Zimbabwe in the third and final match of the ODI series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday (January 11).

After the first ODI was abandoned due to rain, Kusal Mendis’ Sri Lanka registered a 2-wicket win over Craig Ervine’s Zimbabwe to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the same venue on Monday (January 8).

R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & ODI Record ahead of SL vs ZIM 3rd ODI

Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe rode on skipper Ervine’s 82 to take the visitors to a respectable total of 208. In response, Janith Liyanage scored 95 as Sri Lanka completed the chase thanks to Dushmanta Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay’s unbeaten 39-run stand.

Earlier, the ODI series opener unfortunately ended in a No Result after rain washed out play, stopping Zimbabwe’s run chase of 274 at 12/2 in 4 overs on Saturday (January 6) at the same venue in Colombo.

Now, the two sides are set to clash again at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where they have met four times so far in ODI format. Zimbabwe have never managed to win in their 8 ODIs at the venue, where Sri Lanka hold 79-41 record with 8 of their matches ending in no result.

Although Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will play only their fifth ODI at the venue, the R Premadasa Stadium has staged 149 ODIs so far. Here is a look the pitch report, weather forecast, ODI stats and record of the venue so far:

R Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report

The two matches in this series have seen some typical Sri Lankan pitches on offer with run-scoring getting harder as the game progresses. Spin has come into play in matches here, but even pacers have found joy especially in the recent two matches.

Overall, the pitches in Colombo have been batting friendly early doors, and then assisting spinners as the game progressed. The same could be the case if there is dry weather around, but with showers in recent days, it's likely to even provide assistance to quick bowlers. So, how is the weather going to play on January 11?

Colombo Weather Forecast on January 11

Like the last week, it is expected to be a cloudy and humid day with showers expected throughout the day. The maximum temperature is expected to be 31°C, reducing to 26°C at the scheduled close of play.

Rain Prediction for Colombo on January 11: There is 50 percent chance of precipitation on Thursday (January 11) with showers expected at 8 AM, 12 PM, 4 PM and 5 PM Local Time, while thunderstorm is expected to arrive around 7 PM. So, the SL vs ZIM 3rd ODI may be affected by rain.

Colombo R Premadasa Stadium ODI Stats and Records

Matches: 149
Home Side (Sri Lanka) Won: 79
Visiting Team Won: 41
Neutral Team Won: 20
No Result: 9
Batting First Won: 80
Chasing Won: 58
Highest Total: 375/5 by India vs Sri Lanka in 2017
Highest Successful Chase: 292/4 by Sri Lanka vs Australia in 2022
Average First Innings Score: 226
Lowest Total: 50 All Out by Sri Lanka vs India in 2023
Lowest Total Defended: 184 by Pakistan vs Canada in 2011
Highest Score: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 169 vs South Africa in 2013
Best Bowling Innings: Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) - 6 for 20 vs India in 2009
Most Runs: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 2514 runs in 70 innings
Most Wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) - 75 wickets in 57 matches
Total Sixes: 522 sixes
Most Sixes: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 30 sixes
Total Fours: 4757 fours
Most Fours: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 274 fours
Total Fifties: 333 Fifties
Most 50s: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 19 fifties
Total 100s: 55 Hundreds
Most 100s: Virat Kohli (India), Sachin Tendulkar (India) & Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 4 Hundreds each
Highest Partnership: 252 by Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly (India) vs Sri Lanka in 1998
Most Dismissals: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 83 Dismissals (65 catches & 18 stumpings)
Most Catches (Fielder): Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 39 catches