Sri Lanka well ahead after record Herath five-for

?Rangana Herath’s added another feather in his cap as he became only the third bowler to complete a five-wicket haul against all nine other Test-playing nations on Tuesday (November 8).

Herath’s effort, which was also his 27th five-for in 75 Tests, put Sri Lanka in a strong position against Zimbabwe on the third day of the second and final Test at Harare Sports Club.

Sri Lanka, which made 504 in the first innings after being asked to bat, bowled Zimbabwe out for 272 in 82.1 overs to establish a 232-run lead. Its second innings wasn’t as solid, but Sri Lanka still got to 102 for 4 from 40 overs at close of play with Dimuth Karunaratne batting on 54 and Asela Gunaratne on six. The overall lead, with two days left in the game, was 334.

Zimbabwe must feel like the ball slipped right between its legs because at the end of the second day it had the game in control, reaching 126 for 2 with Brian Chari and Craig Ervine batting on 60 each.

Once Ervine fell to Suranga Lakmal early in the day for 64, Sri Lanka’s hopes of a swift finish were raised, but Sean Williams came up with the stable hand Zimbabwe needed at the time.

Herath brought himself on just in time to put an end to Chari’s innings for 80. Herath, who had two wickets coming into the day, accounted for Malcolm Waller not too long after but had to wait a while before dismissing Carl Mumba to spark celebrations in the camp.

Herath joined Dale Steyn and Muttiah Muralitharan in the elite club after finishing with 5 for 89 from 26 overs.

Mumba then came up with a stellar effort with the ball in hand, getting it to seam just enough to pick up three wickets. Graeme Cremer got rid of Upal Tharanga for 17 to add to the pressure, but with Karunaratne going strong and Gunaratne, the second centurion from Sri Lanka’s first innings, looking steady, Zimbabwe could be in trouble.