Zimbabwe 197-3 (47.1 overs)

SHARJAH, Nov 7: Watch out for Murray Goodwin. The Zimbabwean right hand batsman is a potential star in the making.

On Saturday in front of a largely empty Sharjah stadium, Goodwin made a mockery of the Sri Lankan bowling attack with a hard-struck half century that helped Zimbabwe register a facile seven-wicket victory. The result also placed world champions Sri Lanka in danger of losing out a berth in the final. The Lankans, who have lost both their matches thus far have the last two league games to try and revive their hopes.

After the usually reliable Sri Lankan batting had wilted against the outstanding fast-medium bowling of Eddo Brandes, it was Goodwin who stole the thunder.

The 25-year-old Zimbabwe-born batsman who learnt all his early cricket in Australia, made his international debut only this year. But in the short period he has already served notice of his exciting talent. Today the Lankan bowlers watched in dismay as he helpedhimself to his fourth 50 (he also has one century) in one-day internationals.

Goodwin pulled the short-pitched deliveries with brutal power. He cut, drove and pulled at will while all the time exhibiting exemplary footwork to thwart the Lankan hopes of controlling the early overs of the innings.

The Lankans, in fact, had started the defence of their small total rather well. They captured two early wickets before Goodwin and opener Grant Flower took charge with a 90-run stand of which the former contributed 54 (6x4, 1x6). It took a direct hit from Marvan Atapattu to run out the rampaging Goodwin. But by then the Zimbabweans were well and truly on their way to rub the Lankan noses in the dirt. The finishing touches were given by the Flower brothers, Grant and Andy. The right handed Grant played a sheet anchor's role to remain unbeaten on a very commendable 87.

The Lankans did not help their cause any by dropping a couple of sharp chances.

Earlier, put in to bat, the Lankans got off to the worst possiblestart. Their new opening batting hero Avishka Gunawardena was trapped in front by Brandes for 1 while Romesh Kaluwitharana (0) was run out eight deliveries later. Atapattu (0) too was trapped leg before by Brandes whose impressive wicket to wicket line continued to do much damage.

Sanath Jayasuriya struck some lusty blows, including a square cut six over point off Neil Johnson before that wily Brandes accounted for him too. From 49 for four Lanka had little chance of a recovery. Aravinda de Silva, not his brilliant self, still made 55 (68 balls). Mahanama chipped in with a useful 51. But Lanka's 196 from 50 overs was never going to be enough.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka: Jayasuriya lbw Brandes 22 (39b, 2x4, 1x6); Gunawardena lbw Brandes 1 (5b); Kaluwitharana run out 0 (3b); Atapattu lbw Brandes 0 (1b); Aravinda lbw Goodwin 55 (68b, 6x4); Ranatunga st A Flower b A Whittal 18 (52b, 1x4); Mahanama b Evans 51 (69b, 2x4); Samaraweera lbw Evans 20 (41b); Vaas b Evans 0 (2b); Dharmasena not out 11 (13b);Zoysa run out 4 (6b); Extras (3lb, 2nb, 9 w) 14. Total: (all out in 49.4 overs) 196

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Gunawardena); 2-11 (Kalu); 3-24 (Atapattu); 4-49 (Jayasuriya); 5-97 (Ranatunga); 6-126 (Aravinda); 7-171 (Samaraweera); 8-171 (Vaas); 9-188 (Mahanama)

Bowling: Brandes 7-2-19-3 (1w); Johnson 6-0-32-0 (1nb 4w); Streak 9.4-0-53-0 (1nb 4w); A Whittal 10-1-30-1; P Strang 10-0-36-0; Goodwin 4-1-12-1; Evans 3-0-11-3

Zimbabwe: G Flower not out 87 (127b, 4x4); Campbell c Ranatunga b Zoysa 5 (12b); Johnson run out 9 (19b); Goodwin run out 54 (68b, 6x4, 1x6); A Flower not out 26 (57b); Extras (2lb, 7w, 7nb) 16; Total (for 3 in 46.1 overs) 197

Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Campbell); 2-31 (Johnson); 3-121 (Goodwin)

Bowling: Vaas 10-1-38-0 (2nb); Zoysa 10-0-33-1 (5w, 3nb); Dharmasena 10-1-33-0 (2nb 1w); Aravinda 2.1-0-17-0; Samaraweera 10-0-49-0 (1w) Jayasuriya 4-0-26-0

Man of the match: Eddo Brandes