ICC WC: Zimbabwe record morale boosting win ahead of main event against Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets with 28 deliveries remaining in a warm-up match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 played at Lincoln today (11).   Electing to bat first Sri Lanka posted 279-8 and Zimbabwe reached 281-3 in a game where all 15 players were allowed to play.   Dimuth Karunaratne top scored for Sri Lanka with a fluent 58 off 71 balls inclusive of three fours while Jeevan Mendis proved his worth with a run-a-ball 51 inclusive of four boundaries.   Lahiru Thirimanne (30), Mahela Jayawardene (30), Dinesh Chandimal (29) and Sachithra Senanayake (25n.o.) chipped in for Sri Lanka with useful knocks.   Hamilton Masakadza steered Zimbabwe to an easy victory with an unbeaten 117 off 119 deliveries inclusive of eight fours and three sixes while middle-order batsmen Brendon Taylor (63) and Sean Williams (51n.o.) hit half centuries for the winners.   Sri Lanka 279 for 8 wickets (50) (Lahiru Thirimanne 30, Mahela Jayawardene 30, Dimuth Karunaratne 58, Dinesh Chandimal 29, Jeevan Mendis 51, Thissara Perera 17, Sachithra Senanayake 25n.o, Sean Williams 3/35)   Zimbabwe 281 for 3 wickets (45.2) (Chamu Chibhabha 22, Hamilton Masakadza 117n.o, Brendon Taylor 63, Sean Williams 51n.o.)