Sri Lanka with their powerful and experienced batting line-up which runs down to number seven with the recall or wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana, start the series as favourites, solely on that count.
OVERLOOKED
Kaluwitharana, who was overlooked for the Test series in India, but recalled for one-day matches that followed, is one of seven batsmen in the line up who have scored a Test hundred.
But batting is not what Test cricket is all about, if Sri Lanka hope to improve on their dismal record of going through 1997 without a single victory in 11 Tests.
``We don't have the sort of weapons that win Test matches,'' said Ranatunga. ``This is not something new. We have been going through this for the past 15 to 20 years. We are a good one-day side because our bowlers have only to contain the opposition to win matches, but Test cricket is a different ball game. You have to take 20 wickets to win a Test match,'' he said.
ONE REASON
That could be one of the reasons why Sri Lanka have won only nine of their 79 Tests played to-date, losing 34 and drawing 36.
In such circumstances, Ranatunga said it was a good opportunity for those picked, to make use of the chance, especially against a side like Zimbabwe.
Ranatunga rated Zimbabwe as an improved side compared to what they were and said: ``We can't take them lightly, for that matter any team in international cricket. I hope to see some good competition in the games ahead.''
Zimbabwe were simply white-washed the last time they were here in 1996/97, losing both Tests by large margins.
BETTER EQUIPPED
They have come better equipped this time, hoping to fight spin with spin by including their new Test 'find' leg-spinner Adam Huckle, who made a dream start to his Test career taking 16 wickets in his first two Tests against New Zealand at home. With fellow leg-spinner Paul Strang and off spinner Andy Whittall, Zimbabwe are hoping to improve on their Test record of one solitary win in 24 Tests played todate.
The Asgiriya pitch in Ranatunga's opinion in expected to be a good one for batting on the first two days, and to assist spin from the third day onwards.
Sri Lanka are expected to play two spinners and two fast bowlers, which means Kumara Dharmasena may get the nod ahead of Sajeeva de Silva, Sanath Jayasuriya's left-arm spin would be an additiional option to Ranatunga if Muthiah Muralitharan and Dharmasena fail to breakthrough.
GOOD WORKOUT
Zimbabwe had a good work out in their only three-day first class fixture at Matara against a Sri Lanka Board XI, where vice-captain Andy Flower scored the first century by a Zimbabwean on a tour of Sri Lanka.
Bright sunshine and blue skies greeted the two sides when they arrived at the Asgiriya Stadium for practice. The weather which was excellent through out yesterday is expected to hold for sometime to provide a keen contest over the next five days.
The Teams:
Sri Lanka (from): Arjuna Ranatugna (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atappattu, Roshan Mahanama, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Mutthiah Muralitharan, Kumara Dharmasena, Sajeeva de Silva.
Zimbabwe (from): Alistair Campbell (captain), Grant Flower, Gavin Rennie, Guy Whittall, Andy Flower, Craig Wishart, Heath Streak, Paul Strang, Andy Whittall, Adam Huckle, Bryan Strang, Murray Goodwin, Mpumelo Mhangwa.
Umpires: Mervyn Kitchen (England) and B. C. Cooray (Sri Lanka).
Match referee: Raman Subba Row (England).