Lunch Sri Lanka 414 for 7 (Gunaratne 64*, Herath 7*, Cremer 3-91) v Zimbabwe
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Asela Gunaratne became just the third Sri Lankan to score back-to-back Test fifties © AFP
Zimbabwe created opportunities, but their failure to convert them allowed Sri Lanka to power ahead on day two of the second Test in Harare. They added 120 runs for the loss of overnight centurion Dhananjaya de Silva and Dilruwan Perera to go into lunch on 410 for 7.
If Upul Tharanga presented his case on Sunday as a middle-order option in South Africa with a sturdy 79, it was Asela Gunaratne’s turn today. Playing in just his second Test, he constructed a stylish half-century to give the selectors and team management a healthy selection dilemma. Gunaratne was complemented by all-rounder Dilruwan Perera, who made a breezy 34, in a 54-run stand. Rangana Herath, the captain, was 10 not out at the break.
Zimbabwe would rue the opportunities they missed in the first session. Dhananjaya presented a simple caught-and-bowled opportunity that was put down by Carl Mumba in the seventh over. Off the next delivery, a healthy edge flew over the outstretched hands of second slip. Wicketkeeper Peter Moor, who reprieved Dhananjaya on 64 yesterday, then fluffed a regulation nick off Dilruwan on 5.
Then there was also a lost review when Graeme Cremer, the Zimbabwe captain, referred an lbw decision off Gunaratne. Relays indicated it was a poor decision as Mumba’s in-dipper struck the batsman outside off, with height also in doubt. All this added to Zimbabwe’s frustration on a surface that turned considerably as the session progressed – one delivery even spun away square from off stump to have the wicketkeeper diving full length to his right to gather it in front of first slip.
The inconsistent bounce, however, had the last effect on Dilruwan, who carried on his merry ways to hit four fours and a six. He was particularly harsh on Cremer, who he cut, pulled and glided late to show his adaptability both against pace and spin. Gunaratne, meanwhile, became just the third Sri Lankan after Roy Dias and Chandika Hathurusinghe to score half-centuries in his first two Tests.
Dilruwan was trapped lbw by Cremer’s flipper 15 minutes before lunch; his bat got caught on the flap of the right pad as he looked to defend. It was reward for consistency he displayed all morning. His threat was evident right from his first over this morning, when he had Dhananjaya almost foxed by a straighter one and a googly, which nearly landed at short leg. Dhananjaya was eventually deceived in flight and handed a return catch to Cremer, who moved low to his right to pouch it inches off the ground after he had added 27 to his overnight score.
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo