What's new

Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe 2020

MenInG

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
218,123
Zimbabwe Cricket on Wednesday, 8 January, announced a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, to be played in Harare later this month, marking a return to the long format for the African nation.

Zimbabwe last played a Test match in November 2018, when they toured Bangladesh for a two-match series, and coach Lalchand Rajput welcomed the assignment and backed his charges to seize the opportunity. “We know our home conditions better, our players are getting match-fit and enjoying some game time. So all we have to do is to get in the middle and perform,” he said. “We have not had much game time, so the players will be very keen and eager to seize this opportunity and do well.”

Zimbabwe last played Sri Lanka in a Test match in July 2017, at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium, where the home team prevailed by four wickets, after recording the highest successful chase in Asia.

“Sri Lanka are always a very competitive team who have been playing well and I am looking forward to the Test series,” Rajput said. “For us, it’s a new beginning, a new chapter, and it’s good that we are starting off with the long version which always brings the best out of players.”

Zimbabwe will begin their preparations for the series with a ten-day training camp that starts tomorrow, featuring the top performers from the Logan Cup, the domestic first-class competition. “It’s important to have players performing well in first-class cricket and I am happy that in the Logan Cup we have players who have scored centuries and taken five wickets and more.

“This bodes well for our preparations and it’s always good to have players who are match-fit and in good nick. During our 10-day camp, we will attend to a few issues, including the processes, as we fine-tune our team ahead of the series.”

The announcement comes one day after the governing body named Sean Williams the new Test captain, and Chamu Chibhabha the limited-overs captain on an "interim basis", following the retirement in September 2019 of former captain Hamilton Masakadza, who subsequently became the director of cricket.

The first Test will be played from 19 to 23 January, and the second from 27 to 31 January.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1563766
 
Sri Lanka need to start winning again and this tour could be that chance!
 
MenInG said:
Sri Lanka need to start winning again and this tour could be that chance!
Click to expand...

Don't underestimate Zimbabwe last year they defeated Bangladesh and drawn the series in Bangladesh,2 years ago they gave tough competition in Srilanka by giving Srilanka a target of 388.
 
andy0204 said:
Don't underestimate Zimbabwe last year they defeated Bangladesh and drawn the series in Bangladesh,2 years ago they gave tough competition in Srilanka by giving Srilanka a target of 388.
Click to expand...

2 years ago, they beat SL in SL in a 5-match ODI series. They were on the rise. But, bad management killed them off again.

I expect SL to steamroll Zimbabwe because Zimbabwe is missing some of the key players.
 
sweep_shot said:
2 years ago, they beat SL in SL in a 5-match ODI series. They were on the rise. But, bad management killed them off again.

I expect SL to steamroll Zimbabwe because Zimbabwe is missing some of the key players.
Click to expand...

Zimbabwe should have been there in 2019 World Cup instead of Afghanistan.
 
andy0204 said:
Zimbabwe should have been there in 2019 World Cup instead of Afghanistan.
Click to expand...

Absolutely!

Zimbabwe botched it up by losing to UAE. Had Zimbabwe beaten UAE, Afghanistan wouldn't have been in World Cup.

Zimbabwe can't blame anyone but themselves. They could've achieved so much but bad decisions cost them.
 
Suranga Lakmal, who missed Sri Lanka's Test tour of Pakistan owing to a bout of dengue, has regained fitness to be included in their squad for a two-Test series in Zimbabwe.

Despite the series defeat against Pakistan in December, after a 263-run loss to the hosts in Karachi, the selectors chose to persist with much of the same squad, led by Dimuth Karunaratne, to make the trip to Zimbabwe.

Asitha Fernando, who had replaced Lakmal in the squad in Pakistan but remained on the bench, was left out, as was wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera, the star in South Africa last year on their previous trip to the African continent.

Sri Lanka are set to play two Tests in Zimbabwe, from 19 January and 27 January, at the Harare Sports Club.

They were last in the country for a red-ball game in 2016-17, when they won the two-match series. The most recent Test between the sides was a thriller in Colombo in 2017, when Sri Lanka overcame a small first-innings deficit to chase a target of 388 – the highest successful chase in Asia.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1571488
 
Tendai Chatara Ruled Out of Zimbabwe’s Upcoming Home Test Series Against Sri Lanka
Chatara, who last played a Test in November 2018, was named in the provisional squad for the two-match series.

Fast-bowler Tendai Chatara has been ruled out of Zimbabwe’s upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka after he failed to recover from a bicep injury. The 28-year-old suffered the injury during a recent domestic match.Chatara, who last played a Test in November 2018, was named in the provisional squad for the two-match series. Chatara’s absence will throw open the doors to uncapped pacers Victor Nyauchi and Charlton Tshuma to make their Test debut.

The squad, led by Sean Williams, will have five debutants. Apart from the return of Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Kyle Jarvis and Regis Chakabva (who will be returning to Test cricket after more than a year), the selectors have also recalled Carl Mumba who had been out of international cricket since sustaining a knee injury against Sri Lanka in 2017.For the visitors, Suranga Lakmal made a comeback to the squad after he missed out on the tour of Pakistan due to dengue fever. The Lankan Side lost the recently concluded two-Test match series against Pakistan 1-0. Lakmal has been Sri Lanka’s main bowler in the away Test series over the years. He played 59 Tests and scalped 141 wickets with an average of 39.00.

The two-Test series, with both matches set to be held in Harare, will begin on January 19.

Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal.
Zimbabwe Squad: Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Kyle Jarvis, Kevin Kasuza, Timycen Maruma, Prince Masvaure, Brian Mudzinganyama, Carl Mumba, Ainsley Ndlovu, Victor Nyauchi, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Charlton Tshuma
Source: https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...ing-home-test-series-against-sri-lanka-913316
 
Last edited:
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka | 1st Test | Harare | 19-23 January, 2020 | Match Thread

Zimbabwe, hosting Test cricket for the first time since October-November 2017, will seek their first ever Test win against Sri Lanka during the upcoming two-match series at home, beginning Sunday, 19 January.

Overview

Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka
1st Test
Harare Sports Club, Harare
Sunday, 19 January; 10am local time, 08.00am GMT

A wide gulf between the two teams in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings makes visitors the firm favourites even before the start. However, a great blend of youth and experience for the hosts and memories of their performance in the last meeting between the two sides in July 2017, which demanded a herculean effort from Sri Lanka to get over the line, promises it to be a gripping contest.

Sri Lanka have had a mixed time in the longest format for the last year or so. They were swept aside brutally in Australia, before Kusal Perera's once in a lifetime blitz set the tone for a historic series win against South Africa. They shared the home series with New Zealand in August-September last year, thereby earning their first points in the ICC World Test Championship, before losing the away series to Pakistan last month.

Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne will expect more from his bowlers, who struggled during Pakistan's monumental effort of 555/3 in the second innings of the decider in Karachi and the experienced Suranga Lakmal's return might just serve the purpose.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are making a return to the format after more than a year, since their 1-1 series draw in Bangladesh in November 2018. With their frontline seamer Tendai Chatara ruled out of the series with a bicep injury, the engine room revolves around their experienced men in Brendon Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Kyle Jarvis and the skipper Sean Williams.

Remember the last time:

The one-off Test played between the two sides in Colombo in 2017 was the closest Zimbabwe came to win a Test against the island nation. Craig Ervine (160) played a lone hand in Zimbabwe's first innings effort of 356, to which Sri Lanka, on the back of fifties from Upul Tharanga and the then skipper Dinesh Chandimal responded with 346. Sikandar Raza, the all-rounder, scored a fine 127 in the second innings, aided by some useful lower-order contributions as Sri Lanka were set a massive 388-run target to win.

Each of their top five got starts but none could convert it into a substantial score. Zimbabwe seemed to be in firm control when Graeme Cremer had Angelo Matthews caught off his own bowling for 25 with Sri Lanka further 185 away. However, a game-defining 121-run stand between Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne shattered all hopes, giving Sri Lanka their highest ever successful run-chase in Test cricket.

What they said:

Lalchand Rajput, Zimbabwe head coach: “Sri Lanka are always a very competitive team who have been playing well and I am looking forward to the Test series. We know our home conditions better; our players are getting match-fit and enjoying some game time. So all we have to do is to get in the middle and perform.”

Conditions:

It's mostly expected to be overcast in Harare with high chances of rains on the first two days of the Test. Batting fourth has generally been a challenge at the venue, and both captains despite the weather might well be tempted to bat first. In the last game played between the two teams here, back in 2016, 25 of the 40 wickets fell to the spinners with Rangana Herath, the former off-spinner, bagging 13 wickets across the two innings.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1574560


Zimbabwe Squad: Sean Williams (c), Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine, Prince Masvaure, Sikandar Raza, Timycen Maruma, Brian Mudzinganyama, Kevin Kasuza, Brendan Taylor, Kyle Jarvis, Carl Mumba, Ainsley Ndlovu, Victor Nyauchi, Donald Tiripano, Charlton Tshuma

Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan
 
Teams:

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Craig Ervine, Regis Chakabva(w), Prince Masvaure, Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams(c), Kyle Jarvis, Kevin Kasuza, Ainsley Ndlovu, Victor Nyauchi, Donald Tiripano

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara


Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to bat
 
ZIM 5/0 (5.2) CRR: 0.94
Day 1: 1st Session - Zimbabwe opt to bat
 
Not sure if Mickey enjoying this!

ZIM 61/0 (25.0) CRR: 2.44
Day 1: 1st Session - Zimbabwe opt to bat
 
Even Zimbabwe is playing better than Africa in tests against the team they got defeated last year.
 
ZIM 130/1 (62.4) CRR: 2.07
Day 1: 3rd Session - Zimbabwe opt to bat
 
Zimbabwe - 188/2. Damn!

SL are having a hard time out there.

If Zimbabwe can score 500, they can get away with a draw.
 
I knew sri lankan test team has deteriorated at a rapid pace when even Pakistan won a match against them
 
Half-centuries from each of Zimbabwe’s top three ensured they had the better of the opening day of the first of two Tests against Sri Lanka at Harare.

Never before have all of Zimbabwe’s Nos.1-3 passed fifty in the same Test innings, and all showed excellent application against a disciplined Sri Lanka attack.

Masavure and Kasuza batted through the first session unscathedMasavure and Kasuza batted through the first session unscathed
The inexperience of the opening pair will only have made their success all the sweeter. Prince Masavure only has two Test and two ODI caps to his name, but that’s four more than international debutant Kevin Kasuva. The pair played like two veterans however, keeping out the first 50 overs even as just 96 runs came.

From the first ball of the 51st over, Sri Lanka finally had a breakthrough, Lasith Embuldeniya enticing Masavure to come down the track, at which point he mishit an attempted loft and was caught diving forward by captain Dimuth Karunaratne, running in from mid-off.

Test cricket was returning to Zimbabwe for the first time since 2017Test cricket was returning to Zimbabwe for the first time since 2017
That dismissal brought the experienced Craig Ervine to the crease, and he played with a little more impetus, scoring at closer to one run in every two balls rather than one run in every three. He and Kasuza put on a half-century stand for the second wicket before Kasuza fell, pinned in front by a Lahiru Kumara full toss.

Thereafter, Brendan Taylor helped Ervine bat out the overs until bad light brought an end to proceedings, capping off an overwhelmingly positive day for Zimbabwe in the first day of Test cricket the country has witnessed in over two years.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1579048
 
kasuza has good footwork and technique
zim batting looks good on paper imo there'd be a much better side i reckon with more games
 
ZIM 219/3 (98.0) CRR: 2.23
Day 2: 1st Session - Zimbabwe opt to bat

Zimbabwe continue to consolidate this morning.
 
Now it should be completely understandable how Pakistan managed to beat this sri lankan team, looks like micky arthur is destroying sri lankan test team too! on the plus side, sri lanka t20 rank might rise
 
ZIM 266/5 (113.3) CRR: 2.34
Day 2: 2nd Session - Zimbabwe opt to bat

Steady progress I would say!
 
ZIM 358
SL 42/1 (14.0) CRR: 3
Day 2: Stumps - Sri Lanka trail by 316 runs
 
What happened to Fernando? Kumara is there only for his raw pace i think. Lakmal is their main bowler.
 
Poor light forced early stumps as Sri Lanka finished the second day of the first Test on 42/1 after Zimbabwe were bowled out for 358.

Oshada Fernando, who opened Sri Lanka's batting with captain Dimuth Karunaratne, looked fluent and scored quick runs at the start. He hit two fours in his 21-run knock, before Donald Tiripano struck with his first ball and castled his off stump in the 12th over.

Kusal Mendis joined Karunaratne at the crease but play could continue for only 2.5 more overs as fading light ended the day prematurely with 10 overs left.

Earlier, resuming the day at 189/2, Zimbabwe started off slowly and stuttered when Suranga Lakmal trapped Brendan Taylor in the eighth over of the day on 21. Craig Ervine then partnered with Sean Williams to add a few runs but when their wickets fell in back-to-back overs, the hosts slumped to 247/5. Ervine was bowled just 15 runs short of a hundred but did cross 1,000 runs in Test cricket before departing.

Zimbabwe regrouped in the next session and with useful contributions from the lower-middle and lower order continued to fight valiantly. Regis Chakabva (8) fell prey to Lasith Embuldeniya early in the second session but Sikandar Raza carried on with the resilient Donald Tiripano.

The Zimbabwe lower order helped them go past the 350-markThe Zimbabwe lower order helped them go past the 350-mark
Raza led the charge initially to keep up the scoring rate and struck six fours in the process. He was stumped off Embuldeniya on 41 but not before he had carried the hosts past 300. Tiripano then dropped anchor and even as wickets fell at the other end, continued to grind on. He shared a defiant tenth-wicket stand with Victor Nyauchi (11) for 30 runs that helped Zimbabwe cross the 350-run mark.

Tiripano remained unbeaten on 44 as the hosts were eventually bowled out for 358. Embuldeniya (5/114), although expensive, was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming his second five-wicket haul in Tests.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1580516
 
ZIM 358
SL 160/2 (53.5) CRR: 2.97
Day 3: 2nd Session - Sri Lanka trail by 198 runs


Good going for Sri Lanka so far today.
 
An unbeaten 92 from Angelo Mathews, as well as 80 from Kusal Mendis, put Sri Lanka in a strong position in the first Test against Zimbabwe as they closed day three on 295/4.

With the visitors resuming on 42/1, captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis set about laying the foundation for their side's reply to Zimbabwe's first dig of 358. With the partnership building steadily though, one of the host's three debutants made the breakthrough, Victor Nyauchi claiming the skipper's wicket for 37.

It took nearly another 40 overs for the next wicket to fall, with Angelo Mathews joining Mendis to double the score in the meantime. Mendis had a nervy lunch, with his score sitting on 43 over the interval, but he completed it without alarm. There was some cause for concern from the fielding side, however, as another of their debutants, Kevin Kasuza, was struck flush on the helmet at short leg by a pull shot.

Mendis was unable to push on to what would have been his seventh Test century, falling for 80 as Nyauchi claimed his second wicket thanks to an edge to slip. But Mathews was not concerned with consolidating as he looked to play with positivity against the spinners. He clobbered first Ainsley Ndlovu and then Sean Williams for six apiece, bringing up his own half-century the over before tea between the two shots.

Dinesh Chandimal was next to fall, in slightly bizarre fashion, as he bottom edged a quick, full ball from Williams on to his own boot, lobbing a catch back to the bowler for 11. Mathews battled on with Zimbabwe opting to continue with the old ball past the 80-over mark, with captain Williams perhaps seeking control over penetration. When the new ball was taken, however, after 88 overs, it changed little in the complexion of the game. Mathews continued sedately as he had done since arriving at the crease, while Dhananjaya de Silva slowed slightly after a quickfire start to his innings but still scored quickly enough to prevent Zimbabwe taking control.

By the close the pair had taken their partnership to 68 in just over 24 overs, with both batsmen ending the day within touching distance of a milestone, with de Silva on 42 and Mathews on 92 from 253 balls. Both will resume in the morning as Sri Lanka look to go past Zimbabwe's total and build a match-defining first-innings lead.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1581346
 
A career-best 200* from Angelo Mathews, along with fifties by Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella, left Zimbabwe fighting for a draw at the end of the fourth day in Harare.

Starting the day trailing by just 63 runs with five wickets still in hand, Mathews and de Silva picked up where they had left off the previous evening. Both men passed the landmarks they had been shy of overnight with relative ease, de Silva registering a sixth Test fifty and Mathews his tenth Test ton. The pair had added 30 runs to the overnight total, stretching their partnership to 98, before de Silva perished on 63, becoming debutant Victor Nyauchi's third victim as he looked to the scoring rate.

Niroshan Dickwella then joined Mathews, with the pair building another big partnership for the visitors. Milestones were ticked off regularly, though unspectacularly, as the partnership extended into triple digits, before Mathews eased past his previous highest Test score of 160, and Dickwella notched up a 15th Test fifty. But, with the partnership worth 136, Dickwella was trapped in front as he tried to paddle sweep Sikander Raza, and was sent on his way for 63 as well.

Sri Lanka reached tea on 466/6 with the lead having grown to 108. Suranga Lakmal enjoyed his stay at the crease, striking two sixes in his 27, but his wicket was followed next ball by that of Lasith Embuldeniya, both players falling to Raza's off-spin. Kasun Rajitha survived the hat-trick ball, hanging on just long enough to accompany Mathews to the 200-mark, a landmark brought up by the former captain striking his 19th boundary.

Just two balls later Rajitha fell to Sean Williams, bringing about the declaration with the score on 515/9 and the lead 157. Raza and Nyauchi finished with three wickets apiece, returning the respectable figures of 3/62 and 3/69 respectively.

Faced with 17 overs to bat until stumps, openers Prince Masvaure and Brian Mudzinganyama - acting as concussion substitute for Kevin Kasuza who was struck in the helmet while fielding close on day three - were resolute in defence. Apart from a brief flurry of activity as three consecutive balls travelled to the fence, they scored at barely a run an over, but crucially both made it to the close unscathed.

Zimbabwe will resume their second innings in the morning on 30/0, trailing by 127 runs and likely needing to bat most of tomorrow to salvage a draw from the match.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1584084
 
Sri Lanka recorded a comprehensive 10-wicket win in the first Test against Zimbabwe at Harare, despite a rearguard effort from Regis Chakabva, whose stay at the crease lasted for over three hours.

Zimbabwe began the day with all 10 wickets in hand, trailing Sri Lanka by 127 runs, but Prince Masvaure departed in the second over of the day to the impressive Suranga Lakmal, who ripped through the top order to leave the hosts 41/3.

The experienced pair of Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams led Zimbabwe’s recovery batting through until after lunch. The game’s momentum swung in the space of six balls not long after the break, however, with Lakmal dismissing Taylor and Williams succumbing to Kasun Rajitha.

While Lasith Embuldeniya got in on the act with the wicket of Sikandar Raza, Chakaba and Donald Tiripano batted together for nearly 20 overs, adding just 11 runs.

Lahiru Kumara came into his own to dismantle Zimbabwe’s tail, though, removing Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis and Ainsley Ndlovu, with Embuldeniya getting the final and major wicket of Chakabva, who finished on 26.

Left with a target of 14, Oshada Fernando and Dimuth Karunaratne made sure there were no hiccups in Sri Lanka’s response, with just three overs needed to seal the win.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1586684
 
Congratz to Mickey Arthur for his first Test win for SL!
 
What a shame - absolute shambolic boredom for FIVE Days. How could these guys troll around for five days when the grand show could have been ended in 4 days .... ZIM 358 & 30/0; SRL 519/9D ....

Test cricket at it's best when it's in four days, three could be even better.
 
Zimbabwe messed up when they didn't capitalize on their first innings start. From that start, the should've scored at least 450.
 
Zimbabwe fast bowler Kyle Jarvis is set to miss the second Test against Sri Lanka after sustaining a disc bulge, which has resulted in him "struggling with back movements due to lower back pain, muscle spasms and stiffness".

According a statement issued by Zimbabwe Cricket on Sunday, 1 January, Jarvis will undergo a period of rest to allow for the pain to subside before he starts physio therapy.

The management have called up Tinotendaa Mutombodzi as a replacement. Mutombodzi, a leg-spinner who can add runs lower down the order, has played 24 limited overs games, but is uncapped in the longest format.

But according to the release, Carl Mumba or the uncapped Charlton Tshuma – both fast bowlers – is likely to replace Jarvis in the playing XI.

"Apart from Jarvis missing the game due to injury, we are likely to stick with the same team, giving the middle order another chance," David Mutendera, the convenor of selectors, said. "The only addition to the squad is Mutombodzi, a good bowler whose batting ability will also be a massive boost for us."

The good news for Zimbabwe is that opener Kevin Kasuza returned to training after having suffered a mild concussion during the first Test due to a blow he copped to the helmet while fielding at short leg.

Kasuza made a solid 63 in Zimbabwe's first-innings total of 358, and Zimbabwe will hope for another contribution from him in a bid to level the series in Harare. The second Test starts on Monday.

Squad: Sean Williams (c), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Kevin Kasuza, Timycen Maruma, Prince Masvaure, Brian Mudzinganyama, Carl Mumba, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Ainsley Ndlovu, Victor Nyauchi, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Charlton Tshuma.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1589854
 
Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test
Jan 27 - Jan 31 • 11:00 AM at Harare Sports Club, Harare
 
Teams:

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Prince Masvaure, Kevin Kasuza, Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams(c), Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva(w), Donald Tiripano, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Victor Nyauchi, Carl Mumba

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando

Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to bat
 
Sean Williams starred with the bat on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka with a clinical 107 while Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza made fifties as Zimbabwe went to stumps on 352/6.

Williams's hundred came off 137 balls in 208 minutes, and was studded with 10 fours and three sixes. It was his second century in Tests with the first coming in 2016 against New Zealand.

After opting to bat, the hosts got off to a shaky start, losing opener Prince Masvaure early for 9 off Lahiru Kumara's bowling while Craig Ervine, who scored 85 in the first innings of the previous Test, was bowled by Suranga Lakmal for 12.

The experienced Taylor then joined forces with opener Kevin Kasuza, and steadied the proceedings, taking their side to 96/2 at lunch. The duo stitched a 65-run partnership together before Lahiru Kumara had Kasuza trapped in front early in the afternoon session.

Taylor fell shortly after the opener's dismissal after playing a valiant knock. He brought up his half-century off just 46 balls and went on to make a run-a-ball 62 before becoming Lakmal's 150th Test victim.

Later, Raza and Williams took control of the Zimbabwe innings with a solid 159-run partnership. Their brilliant stand came to an end when Lasith Embuldeniya struck on the last ball of the 72nd over, dismissing Raza for a 99-ball 72.

Dhananjaya de Silva then snared the prized scalp of skipper Williams, the last batsman to fall on day one. Regis Chakabva remained unbeaten on 31 with Tinotenda Mutombodzi keeping him company on 10.

Lakmal and de Silva shared four wickets between them while Kumara and Embuldeniya chipped in with one scalp apiece.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1590394
 
Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka 20202nd Test Mon 27 January,
09:30 Local ( 10:30 AST ) Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe - 406
Sri Lanka - 122/2 54 ov CRR: 2.25
Stumps - Day 2
 
Zimbabwe are in very strong position at halfway stage of the game. A lead over 100 and they can set 300+ target in last 4 sessions here. Cricket may not be at highest quality but we are on for another 15 sessions thriller.
 
Lead of 113 with 213 overs left in the game on a crumbling track. Zimbabwe should play positively next time and focus on scoring runs. Only way SRL can come back here is Zimbabwe stagnating the score and then a bunch of wickets go down. SRL chased 380 against Zimbabwe at home, but here I think anything over 250 is near impossible- this 293 is based on 94 by opening pair & 27 by last; SRL actually lost 9 for 173.
 
Excellent bowling effort from Zim.

They need to consolidate first with bat and try give a lead of around 300-350 and give themselves atleast a day to get the wickets and give themselves a chance.
 
Zimbabwe - 406 & 22/0 5.5 ov CRR: 3.77

Sri Lanka - 293

ZIM lead by 135 runs
 
Zimbabwe's spinning all-rounder Sikander Raza took six wickets in the day, finishing with figures of 7/113 – his country's second-best in Tests – to leave the hosts in charge in Harare.

They finished the third day 62/1 in their second innings, leading by 175 runs.

Sri Lanka resumed their innings in the morning well placed at 122/2 with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews at the crease, but Raza soon snared his first of the day. Mendis, on 22, pulled a shorter ball from the off-spinner into Kevin Kasuza at short leg, the ball ricocheting off his helmet towards Carl Mumba at square leg. Kasuza was quickly taken from the field of play, and will not play any further part in the match after failing a concussion test with Timycen Maruma replacing him.

Dinesh Chandimal came and went, scoring just six before jabbing a back foot punch back to Raza who took a low catch. Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva built a steady partnership, with Mathews continuing his form in the series by going past fifty. But just as it looked that de Silva would join him, Raza struck again. And once again it was the shorter ball doing the damage as it kept low underneath de Silva's attempted pull, the all-rounder departing for 42.

Niroshan Dickwella (1) and Suranga Lakmal (5) followed quickly, taking Raza's tally for the innings to six. And Carl Mumba then removed Mathews for 64, tickling one down the leg-side, to leave Sri Lanka 244/8 and still 162 runs in arrears.

But Lasith Embuldeniya and Lahiru Kumara provided resistance to go with Vishwa Fernando's defiance as the trio put on 49 runs in slightly over 22 overs for the final two wickets. Embuldeniya was brilliantly caught at mid-off for a 56-minute five to give Raza his seventh wicket and giving the off-spinner a chance to achieve Zimbabwe's best-ever Test figures. He had 7/105 at that point, with Paul Strang's 8/109 against New Zealand the mark to beat.

While he conceded too many runs in the end anyway, Raza was beaten to the final wicket by Victor Nyauchi. A fabulous delivery took the edge of Fernando's bat to dismiss him for 38, leaving Sri Lanka 293 all out and trailing by 113 runs on first innings.

Zimbabwe's openers were then tasked with batting through the final session of the day. But Craig Ervine, bumped up to open in Kasuza's absence, managed only 13 before edging behind off Fernando. Prince Masvaure and Regis Chakabva ensured there was no further loss until rain arrived, bringing the end of play with Zimbabwe 62/1.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1592343
 
Early Tea taken due to rain

SL 293
ZIM 406, 222/6 (69.2) CRR: 3.2
Day 4: Tea Break - Zimbabwe lead by 335 runs
 
Zimbabwe should declare as it is raining and they'll need plenty of time to dismiss Sri Lanka.

A lead of 335 is decent for them anyway, unless they want 400 but time is being lost.
 
SL 293
ZIM 406, 241/7 (74.5) CRR: 3.22
Day 4: Stumps - Zimbabwe lead by 354 runs
 
Zimbabwe extended their second-innings lead to 354 on day four of the second Test with Sri Lanka at Harare.

Poor weather, however, blighted Zimbabwe's hopes of advancing to a declarable total quickly, with just 54 overs of play possible across the day.

Nevertheless, when they were on the field, the hosts' batsmen showed plenty of initiative. Despite the early loss of Regis Chakabva to Lasith Embuldeniya, Brendan Taylor picked up where he left off in the first innings, attacking his way to a quickfire fifty.

All in all, his 75-ball 67 featured eight fours and one six, with Lahiru Kumara the bowler to end the onslaught, pinning him lbw.

The stand between Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams that followed ensured that Taylor's good work was not to be undone. The pair put on 70 in 18.2 overs to build momentum, extending Zimbabwe's lead past the 300 mark.

But the dismissal of Raza to Vishwa Fernando was followed not long after by the rain, which washed away the rest of the second session.

Only 5.4 overs were bowled after play eventually did resume, with Sri Lanka adding the wicket of Tinotenda Mutombodzi to their collection.

Williams remained, unbeaten on 47, continuing an excellent individual Test match that returned a century in the first innings.

Tomorrow shall see an earlier start, with the match set-up for a thrilling finish, should the rain relent.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1594077
 
ZIM 406, 247/7 decl
SL 293, 107/2 (38.1) CRR: 2.8
Day 5: 2nd Session - Sri Lanka need 254 runs
 
Zimbabwe are looking good to secure a draw. Great result for them. They could've drawn the first Test too but they didn't get the job done.
 
Zimbabwe were unable to bowl Sri Lanka out on the final day of the second Test with Kusal Mendis providing the backbone of the Sri Lankan resistance to ensure the visitors took the series 1-0.

Resuming from their overnight 241/7, Zimbabwe batted just one ball before declaring. Captain Sean Williams despatched it for six to bring up his third Test fifty to go with a first-innings century.

With 361 to win and 96 overs left in the game, Sri Lanka immediately set out for the draw. Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando put on 26 in a little over 13 overs before the former edged behind from the bowling of Carl Mumba for 12.

Fernando and Mendis held firm up to lunch though, with both men reaching the break unbeaten on 46. But straight after the break Zimbabwe got their breakthrough, with Sikandar Raza adding to his first innings seven-for. Fernando was the man to go as he failed to read the spin and was pinned on the pad, sent on his way for 47.

New batsman Angelo Mathews looked to bat time, and lasted 69 balls, and 89 minutes, for his 13 before Victor Nyauchi found him pushing a little too hard with a defensive prod. Craig Ervine at short mid-off completed the catch.

Mendis though remained defiant and went to tea with 80 runs to his name, accompanied by Dinesh Chandimal on three, leaving the hosts needing to take seven wickets in the final session.

There was no quick wicket after the break this time, with Mendis and Chandimal holding steady. Mendis brought up his seventh Test hundred with a towering six off Raza's off-spin, dancing down the track and sending it over long-on.

With nine scheduled overs left in the day, Zimbabwe accepted their fate and shook hands, sealing the draw. It also sealed a series win for Sri Lanka after their victory in the first Test. Sikandar Raza took the Player of the Match award for his seven wickets in Sri Lanka's first inning, while Angelo Mathews took the Player of the Series award having struck 277 runs across three innings in the series.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1595035
 
Mendis is going to develop into a world class player under Arthur. Mark my words.
 
Mickey is an extraordinarily poor Test coach. He just got lucky with that South African side who had some incredible Test cricketers.

Teams should only look to hire him for white ball cricket. Red ball cricket is not his forte.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe (2025)
Replies
30
Views
790
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
Ball Blazer
England tour of Sri Lanka (2025)
Replies
2
Views
282
Ball Blazer
Ball Blazer
Ball Blazer
Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe (2025)
Replies
13
Views
246
sweep_shot
sweep_shot
Ball Blazer
Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan (2025)
Replies
11
Views
777
AZulfi
AZulfi
BouncerGuy
Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka (2025)
2 3 4
Replies
275
Views
8K
sweep_shot
sweep_shot
Back
Top