ZIM v SL, 1st Test Day 2: Sri Lanka loads up on runs; leaves hosts with a mountain to climb

While Day 1 of the first Test between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka saw the visitors take a massive step towards compounding a massive first innings total, the second day only went on to add to the host’s woes with some impressive batting. On the day, Upul Tharanga was the star of the show with some impressive batting and also managed to remain unbeaten by the close of play as well.

The day began with Upul Tharanga and Dhanajaya de Silva picking up where the Lankans had left-off the previous day. The duo began with some impressive batting initially before de Silva was inadvertently dismissed by the irresistible Graeme Cremer. The dismissals brought debutante Asela Gunaratne to the middle.

The duo of Gunaratne and Tharanga brought about a spurned change when it came to adding a partnership for the sixth wicket. It was at this point that the southpaw Tharanga reached his well-deserved ton and the time when Sri Lanka had gone past the 450-run mark.

Despite the fact that he was on debut, Gunaratne impressed one and all with the bat and stitched some impressive runs together to net his firs half-century in Test cricket. He smashed 54 runs before being dismissed by the wily Sean Williams.

As Tharanga raced towards his well-deserved ton, he was aided and abetted by the faltering fielding of Peter Moor who seemingly missed a few chances whilst batting. Tharanga was given a life when he checked a drive off Donald Tiripano, but Tino Mawoyo at cover could not hold on to a catch low to his left.

Dilruwan Perera hung in with Tharanga as he smashed 5 boundaries en route to his fighting 23. However, this proved a bridge too far for the 34-year old off-spinner who impressed with some hard hitting. The final few wickets fell in a heap including that of skipper Rangana Herath.

However, despite this, the 38-year old evergreen Sri Lankan skipper would not be too upset with that effort as his side scampered through the 500-run mark, something that is considered a healthy lead in most cases. At 537, it was clear that Zimbabwe were left with a mountain to climb in the grand scheme of things.

With Heath Streak taking charge of the team he once played for, it was clear that solidity in the batting was something that was the need of the hour as far as he was concerned. The good news for Streak was that his openers Tino Mawoyo and Hamilton Masakadza provided him with the solidity.

Brian Chari was the only one who missed out on a big score when he was undone by a wrong one by Rangana Herath. However, in spite of this, Mawoyo and Masakadza impressed with some impressive batsmanship as the went on to score 41 and 33 respectively. At the close of play, Zimbabwe were on 88/1.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka, 1st innings: 537 all out (U Tharanga 110*; G Cremer 4/142)

Zimbabwe, 1st innings: 88/1 (T Mawoyo 41; R Herath 129)