Sri Lanka [346 & 391/6] beat Zimbabwe [356 & 377] by 4 wickets in the one-off Test

[Abdullah719]

Sri Lanka Squad
LD Chandimal*, PVD Chameera, N Dickwella†, MVT Fernando, DAS Gunaratne, MD Gunathilaka, HMRKB Herath, FDM Karunaratne, CBRLS Kumara, RAS Lakmal, AD Mathews, BKG Mendis, MDK Perera, PADLR Sandakan, WU Tharanga

Zimbabwe Squad
AG Cremer*, RP Burl, RW Chakabva, TL Chatara, CR Ervine, H Masakadza, PJ Moor†, CB Mpofu, CT Mumba, TK Musakanda, N Mushangwe, Sikandar Raza, DT Tiripano, MN Waller, NR Waller, SC Williams

 

[Rayyman]

Watching this at 1:00 AM.

Good leave by Musakanda against Lakmal.

 

[Badsha]

Recognize almost no one from Zimbabwe anymore.

 

[Rayyman]

Good forward defense from Masakadza against Lankan spinner

 

[Rayyman]

Zimbabwe almost to 33 runs

 

[Rafa]

Nice scoring rate by Zimboks.

 

[Rayyman]

Ok match is boring. I'm out.

 

[Markhor]

Surprised Solomon Mire isn't playing.

 

[czar]

Zimbabwe has done decently in the Test so far.

 

[Markhor]

Well done Craig Ervine, gets a hundred away from home.

Zimbabwe need to set themselves small targets in Tests. Nobody expects them to win series but they should look to score 300 in every Test.

 

[DRsohail]

ervine well done//

 

[jonny darko]

Lessons derived from Day 1's play:

1. How good a batsman Craig Ervine is.
2. How good a technique & temperament Donald Tiripano has.

 

[Executioner]

Okay so now Zimbabwe looks firm favorites.

344/8 two set batsmen should score 400ish.

Premadasa stadium is flat tho

 

[Syed1]

Wow Lanka are really receding FAST

 

[MMHS]

Okay so now Zimbabwe looks firm favorites.

344/8 two set batsmen should score 400ish.

Premadasa stadium is flat tho

It's a 2 innings game

I think, ZIM might get a small lead after 1st innings (not sure though, they don't have the bowling), but Herath & Dilruhan should run through their batting on day 4 wicket. If they are to be firm favourite, they need 500 in 1st innings or 300 to defend on 4th innings.

But, credit to Ervine, for an outstanding innings.

 

[gazza619]

Wow Lanka are really receding FAST

Sorry to see them in the state. Cricket needs a strong Srilanka. Miss the good old days of Jayasuria, Marvan Attapatu, Murali, Vaas & Co..

 

[Syed1]

Sorry to see them in the state. Cricket needs a strong Srilanka. Miss the good old days of Jayasuria, Marvan Attapatu, Murali, Vaas & Co..

Actually I always found their team boring, maybe because they have been our whipping boys. However, Lanka has produced some amazing top-notch talent over the years and they are far too valuable for international cricket to be lost like this.

 

[kaifmazhar]

Zimbabwe breaking new records in every match. Their highest score in a day and Ervine's highest score.

 

[gazza619]

Actually I always found their team boring, maybe because they have been our whipping boys. However, Lanka has produced some amazing top-notch talent over the years and they are far too valuable for international cricket to be lost like this.

yup. what amazes me is that its not like foreign teams are refusing to tour SL. They have all the infrastructure, all teams tour them including India... perhaps an incompetent cricket board, but then again even PCB has been very incompetent most of the times..

May be just the current generation of SL is going away from cricket...may be an SL fan will be able to shed some light...

One thing I am sure about, they must get rid of old timers like Jayasuria from the cricket affairs and give control to someone like Sangakarra...

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Great stuff by my boy Ervine. Test class player. Unfortunately playing for a weak team in Zimbawe.

 

[Billy1999]

Watching this at 1:00 AM.

Good leave by Musakanda against Lakmal.

Watching this match is a pain,I don't bother

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Actually I always found their team boring, maybe because they have been our whipping boys. However, Lanka has produced some amazing top-notch talent over the years and they are far too valuable for international cricket to be lost like this.

they aren't lost...not yet. they just thrashed India at the CT a few weeks ago.

but they will likely struggle for several years unless they can produce guys like Sanga, Mahela, Murali, Vaas, and Herath. i think Mendis, Gunathilaka, Sandakan are class talents, but not sure it will be enough.

 

[Markhor]

Actually I always found their team boring, maybe because they have been our whipping boys. However, Lanka has produced some amazing top-notch talent over the years and they are far too valuable for international cricket to be lost like this.

Whipping boys ? We played 6 Test series vs Sri Lanka between 2009-2015 and we won two whilst losing three.

When SL had Jayasuriya, Murali, Vaas, Sangakkara and Jayawardene they were anything but boring.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Whipping boys ? We played 6 Test series vs Sri Lanka between 2009-2015 and we won two whilst losing three.

When SL had Jayasuriya, Murali, Vaas, Sangakkara and Jayawardene they were anything but boring.

yes but he's talking about the series SL have lost. Pakistan have won 100% of those series and that is as sound a thrashing as you can get.

 

[MMHS]

Let's see, if Ervine can get a double or not.

 

[MMHS]

Looks like Lankans are planning to bat effectively once.

 

[czar]

Good Start by Sri Lankans.

 

[Markhor]

Looks a flat pitch, Zimbabwe need to break this Chandimal-Mathews partnership quickly.

 

[Markhor]

Oh my, what's happening here ? SRL now five down for 226. Cremer's legbreaks proving effective.

Zimbabwe could end up with a lead here.

 

[Markhor]

Beautiful legbreak from Cremer, turns appreciably and bit of bounce too.

 

[Markhor]

Brilliant catch from Masakadza ! Full length dive and that's a HUGE wicket - Angelo Mathews is gone.

 

[The Googly]

Zimmies are favourites to win this test now. Who saw that coming?

 

[Markhor]

Honestly, find a replay of that Masakadza catch. Superb anticipation, he had to run a long way across and he took it wonderfully.

 

[shaz619]

What on earth is this ! )

Lanka were batting like they were in paradise and now Zimbabwean magic has taken 6 bah gawd !

 

[Markhor]

Perera counterattacking now, SL must eat into this lead as much as possible. Zimbabwe may well collapse in the 3rd innings.

This is turning out to be a good contest.

 

[Proactive_]

The test match has been surprisingly pretty competitive.. I thought Zimbabwe would annihilate SL without any resistance..

 

[Specialisttailender]

If the pitch is spinning well for Cremer then you can only imagine what is Herat going to do.

 

[kaifmazhar]

Zim just need to set 180-200 for SL to chase in the 4th innings.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

If the pitch is spinning well for Cremer then you can only imagine what is Herat going to do.

not necessarily...wrist spinners put more revs on the ball than figer spinners. asides from being at least a bit overrated Herath isn't a big turner of the ball. he does well because of his accuracy and because he always has bat pad fielders.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SL could B number 1 in tests by end 2017..If they beat ZIM and get 3-0 vs India next month they will be up to 3..tests vs PAK and Ind follow</p>— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) <a href="https://twitter.com/RusselArnold69/status/886122979674935296">July 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[aloo paratha]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SL could B number 1 in tests by end 2017..If they beat ZIM and get 3-0 vs India next month they will be up to 3..tests vs PAK and Ind follow</p>— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) <a href="https://twitter.com/RusselArnold69/status/886122979674935296">July 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At least beat Zimbabwe first, then we can talk about Pakistan and India.

 

[Abdullah719]

Crucial day coming up. Even a small lead for Zimbabwe could be very useful but if Gunaratne digs in and takes the innings deep then Zimbabwe will be under a lot of pressure to put up another big batting performance.

 

[kaifmazhar]

So SL managed to almost cancel out Zim lead making it a direct 2nd innings shoot out. Zim will have slight advantage as SL will have to bat last on a typical SL wicket which is wearing out fast. Quite an interesting match this one turns out to be.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Zimbos struggling in 2nd innings

Can they get 175?

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Zimbos lead by 132 with 5 wkts remaining. Good knock by Sikandar.

 

[DRsohail]

200 or above lead and this can be interesting..

 

[czar]

Tea on Day 4. Let's see how much further can Zimbabwe stretch forward the lead.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Tea on Day 4. Let's see how much further can Zimbabwe stretch forward the lead.

Day 3

 

[czar]

Day 3

Sorry, then there is too much time for a result here.

 

[shaz619]

Fantastic recovery from Zimbabwe, they were 23-4 at one point and now have a lead of 150! everything beyond this will be a huge bonus, they've given themselves a chance here. 200+ will be tricky for Lanka but Zimbabwe should aim for 250 to put themselves in a strong position to win the game

 

[Markhor]

Vital partnership in progress. Zimbabwe ideally need another 80-90 here as their bowlers need as big a cushion as possible.

 

[Varun]

Wow - not bad from Zimbabwe.

Hope they win, but I'm backing Lanka to chase whatever total they set.

 

[shaz619]

Azaan (Call to prayer) being played in Columbo ! Lanka need all the help possible

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Raza playing an innings of life while being not well.

 

[shaz619]

7 runs away from a 200 lead !

 

[shaz619]

Raza playing an innings of life while being not well.

What is wrong with him ?

 

[kaifmazhar]

What is wrong with him ?

High fever and headache.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

What is wrong with him ?

Looks like playing with an injury bending down once in a while.
Commentators also mentioned he is not well may be he is ill.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

High fever and headache.

Yep thanks.
Outstanding innings in the circumstances.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

17 overs left in the day. Can Raza stay till today's end?

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Waller is clearly better batsman than no 8.
Should defnitely move up considering he doesnt bowl often too.

 

[shaz619]

ZIM lead by 209

199/6

 

[RobinJay]

Excellent batting by Waller and Raza.

 

[On_the_up]

Very good fightback by Zimbabwe.

Have Sri Lanka really gone downhill fast or are Zimbabawe playing out of their skins on this tour?

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Kumara is a one of the better fast bowlers in SL.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Sikander on the ground and struggling.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Innings of a life time by Raza, down with fever n migraine n still batting on 92!!!

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

23/4 to 252/6

Hats off sikandar raza, 97* at stumps

 

[kaifmazhar]

Magical stuff from Sikandar. True to his name.

 

[Executioner]

What performance this from Sikandar Raza.

BPL teams have racked up with Lankans like Kusal Perera Thisara gunaratne Fickwella but not a single Zimbabwean yet. Get Ervine Masaka Cremer Raza on board

 

[Mainul]

Zimbabwe is making their mark again in international cricket. Great fight back.

 

[aloo paratha]

My Boy Skinadar Raza, what a brilliant innings. I woke up in the middle of the night and they were 90-5, he, Waller and Moor played brilliantly.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

My Boy Skinadar Raza, what a brilliant innings. I woke up in the middle of the night and they were 90-5, he, Waller and Moor played brilliantly.

Gutsy player. A true fighter.

 

[majiz]

love zimbabwe

 

[tejamainhoon]

Zim softening up SL for us !!!!

 

[kaifmazhar]

Zim softening up SL for us !!!!

They will take all the revenge from Indian team.

 

[tejamainhoon]

They will take all the revenge from Indian team.

Hmm,Kohli overacting and making faces whenever he gets a wkt,will simply charge the SLs
I wud rather hv Jinx as Indian captain win us 3-0 rather than Kohli winning 2-1 for us !!!!

 

[MMHS]

Somehow, I still think SRL is slightly ahead.

252/6 with 10 runs lead means, ZIM should post 300+ with 2 days to get 10 wickets, but what little I have seen on Day 3, the wicket actually is getting better as it looks. May be, it'll turn later, but once the new ball stopped drifting from Herath, it was reasonably easy to negotiate. I think, SRL, should be able to chase something around 300 to may be up to 325.

 

[Abdullah719]

Raza gets to his hundred.

 

[cricfan967]

Turning out to be a very fascinating test