Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Harare - Preview
Zimbabwe faces an uphill task if it is to square the series going into the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Harare starting Sunday (November 6).
Sri Lanka goes into the game as the firm favourite after winning the first Test by a convincing 225-run margin. Zimbabwe, though, can take heart from the fight it showed, stretching the game late into the fifth day.
That fight was possible thanks to their captain, Graeme Cremer. He became the first Zimbabwe player to score a century and pick four wickets in an innings in the same Test. His batting in particular was impressive; coming in at No. 8 with the team struggling at 139 for 6 in the first innings, Cremer remained unbeaten on 102 to stretch Zimbabwe's score to 373 in reply to Sri Lanka's 537.
Cremer was also well assisted by Peter Moor, who made an 84-ball 79. Zimbabwe, however, will want more effort from its top-order batsmen, who couldn't capitalise on starts in both innings. It includes fresh faces like Tino Mawoyo, as well as experienced names like Hamilton Masakadza, Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams.
Zimbabwe's bowlers were disciplined but struggled against a sturdy Sri Lankan batting performance with several catches going down as well. While Cremer picked up four wickets in the first innings, Carl Mumba, the debutant pacer, impressed with 4 for 50 in the second.
But despite Zimbabwe's fight, Sri Lanka was a bit too mighty and always in control. Kusal Perera and Upul Tharanga made centuries in the first innings, while Dimuth Karunaratne (56), Kusal Perera (94) and Asela Gunaratne (54) made half-centuries.
In the second innings, Karunaratne capped a wonderful match with 110 while Dhananjaya de Silva too impressed with 64. It means that all the Sri Lanka batsmen are among the runs as they go into the second game.
Sri Lanka's bowlers, too, had done well. Led by their captain Rangana Herath's wily left-arm spin, the attack combined to deliver a hard-fought win. More importantly, they showed excellent patience and temperament even when Zimbabwe's batsmen tested them with a good fight.
Form and on-paper strength points to Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe will have to up its game even more if it is to get a favourable result.
Teams (from):
Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (capt), Regis Chakabva (wk), Brian Chari, Michael Chinouya, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Peter Moor (wk), Chris Mpofu, Carl Mumba, Tarisai Musakanda, Taurai Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams.
Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (capt), Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Lahiru Gamage, Asela Gunaratne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Madushanka, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera (wk), Lakshan Sandakan, Kaushal Silva. : https://goo.gl/pRIJMl