Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Day 3 Review: Sri Lanka builds a huge lead after Zimbabwe collapse

Host Zimbabwe gave been left with an uphill task of saving Test after as they conceded a 232 run lead in the first innings, surrendering to Rangana Herath’s guileful left arm spin bowling. The Sri Lankan skipper snapped his 27th five haul and ended with figures of 5/89 to become the only bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan and Dale Steyn to take five-wicket haul against all test playing nations.

There was high-class spin bowling on display. A spinner’s worth can be measured accurately by judging him on the way he bowls on surfaces that don’t offer sharp turn. And, the Perera and his master Herath clearly showed all qualities of being quality spinners.

The Zimbabweans clearly struggled against spinners Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera. The batsmen expected spin from the surface and played accordingly but most of the time there was no zip off the pitch. The bowlers bowled with a measured approach. There was flight and invitation to drive the ball. The most of the Zimbabweans fell into the trap and lost their wickets.

Craig Ervine and Brian Chari could stay together for long after playing wonderfully in the last session, helping the hosts survive the initial shake – up. The pair, who knitted an unbeaten 111 run stand for the 3rd wicket, were separated shortly into the morning session when seamer Suranga Lakmal snapped Ervine. The left-hander was able to add only 4 runs to his overnight score.

The gates opened for the Lankans after some grind. Sean Williams combined with Brian Chari and took the innings forward in a promising manner. But, unfortunately, there was no collective resistance. The duo shared a brief stand of 39 runs stand before Chari departed on 80.

Malcolm Waller and later Peter Moor combined with Williams and shared similar short stands of 37 and 43 runs respectively taking the team total past 250 runs mark. But, Zimbabwe collapsed in a heap thereafter, losing their last five wickets for 19 to be bowled out for 272 midway through the second session after being 253/5.

Sri Lanka started their second innings shakily against an inspired attack. Carl Mumba showed significant recovery bowled with good pace. His charged effort paid off as he snapped three of the four wickets that Sri Lanka lost. Kusal Mendis top-edged a pull to mid-on while Kaushal Silva, the opener, and first-innings centurion Dhananjaya de Silva were out to full tosses. Upul Tharanga played all around a Cremer delivery that spun back in to trap him leg before wicket.

The run flow stopped completely for a brief time in between, literally. The scoreboard moved very slowly. The first wicket fell in the form of Silva when the total was 14 in the 8th over. And, only two runs could be added until 12th over when Mendis departed. Dhanajaya de Silva also sluggish consuming 48 balls to make 9 runs. While strike doesn’t matter in this form, the Sri Lankans were clearly made uncomfortable in the middle by the disciplined bowling from the opposition.

The only sensible knock came from Dimuth Karunaratne who overcame the lure of playing away going deliveries to bring up a half-century. Asela Gunaratne also saw off a nervous last 20 minutes as Sri Lanka went to stumps on 102 for 4, with a 334-run lead with two full days remaining.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka. 1st Innings: 504 all out (Dhananjaya de Silva 127; Donald Tiripano 3/90)

Zimbabwe, 1st Innings: 272 (Brian Chari 80; Rangana Herath 5/89)

Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings: 102/4 (Dimuth Karunaratne 54; Carl Mumbai 3/31)