Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test Review: Rangana Herath seals series win for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka snapped the remaining three tail-end wickets on the final day morning to finish off the minimal work and seal a comprehensive 257 runs win over hosts Zimbabwe in two match series at the Harare Sports Club. After having rolled over more than half of the Zimbabwean team in the last session yesterday, it was only a matter of performing the formalities and pocket the series.

Herath, who finished day four with a five-wicket haul, took all three remaining wickets to finish the innings with highly appreciable figures of 8/63. The final two days of the Test were all but his in every sense. Sri Lanka had it quite easy in this Test as compared to the opening game where Zimbabwe showed some teeth. This Test was an opportunity for Zimbabwe to prove that they were good learner of the game.

The opening Test was a well fought one had Herath not squashed them in the last hour of the final day. Fans obviously expected an improved show from Cremer and his men rather than a mellowed performance.

It was a quick wrap. Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe’s only commendable performer in the second innings was the first to go. Resuming to bat on his overnight score of 65, the right-hander could move further only till 72 and was dismissed by a stunning fielding effort by Dhananjaya de Silva. There was no way No.11 Mpofu could have played Herath for a prolonged time and while Mpofu entertained with his quick 17 balls 20 before Zimbabwe ended on 233 runs.

Previously, after gaining an upper hand with the bat, Sri Lanka resumed batting on the overnight score of 102/4 and declared on 258/9 to set an improbable 491 runs target for the hosts. The last four sessions, one on the day four and the last three on the final day was all about saving the game for the Zimbabweans.

But, Rangana Herath led bowling attack had no ideas of adding any spice to the match and letting the Zimbabwean fancy even the slightest chance escaping the match. The veteran left-arm spinner quickly swung into action and sent back the top three back to the pavilion in short successions.

Kumara and De Silva one each to provide some support to their skipper before Herath came in his final spell and snapped to more wickets to take Sri Lanka on the brink of the victory. Actually, the game would not have got stretched till the final day morning had Craig Ervine stood in the middle. But, his presence was not going to make any difference whatsoever.

With the Test series now done and dusted, the series will now move the limited overs leg where West Indies will join the two nations in the tri-nation ODI series scheduled to commence from 14th November.