Sri Lanka 504 and 258 for 9 dec (Karunaratne 88, Kusal Perera 62, Cremer 4-91, Mumba 3-67) lead Zimbabwe 272 (Chari 80, Ervine 64, Williams 58, Herath 5-89) by 490 runs
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Dimuth Karunaratne methodically built Sri Lanka’s lead © Associated Press
Dimuth Karunaratne’s century was a landmark to look forward to from Sri Lanka’s point of view. But his dismissal in the fourth over after lunch quickly put the spotlight back on Zimbabwe, already faced with the task of having to chase over 400. The lines were largely negative and defensive fields meant they were simply waiting for a declaration even though wickets continued to fall – Sri Lanka lost three wickets in four overs at one stage.
Given a license to attack, in line with his natural game, Kusal Perera was in the mood to frustrate Zimbabwe as he swept, swiped and reverse-swept his way to a half-century off just 61 balls to swell Sri Lanka’s second-innings total to 258 for 9 declared. That left the hosts having to chase 491 in a minimum of 136 overs.
Sri Lanka’s intent to up the scoring after an attritional first session in which they scored just 75 was evident from the outset. Off the second ball, Kusal reverse-swept Cremer behind point and then followed that up with two bullet drives in the next over. Karunaratne, perhaps mindful of his impending century, continued to remain watchful before an error in judgment – he was out lbw playing across the line to a straight delivery – brought about his downfall.
In a sign of what Zimbabwe could expect, Dilruwan Perera was beaten by sharp turn from the rough outside leg stump. His attempted sweep lobbed off the forearm to slip, but he was given out. Sri Lanka were unable to refer it because they had exhausted their reviews. Rangana Herath then slapped his first ball into the cover boundary, but fell soon after attempting a sweep off Cremer.
Suranga Lakmal helped himself to two boundaries off leg-stump half-volleys to add to Zimbabwe’s agony. It only got easier from there on as he received a long-hop that was duly dispatched to the deep square leg boundary. Shots that were hit in the air landed short of the fielders. All of this amounted to an entertaining ninth-wicket stand of 47 off 37 balls. Herath declared when Kusal Perera deposited a full toss into the hands of the long-on fielder for a 69-ball 62.
Sri Lanka’s approach in the second session was in stark contrast to their approach before lunch. The onus early on was clearly on crease occupation and ensuring they survive the first half an hour. This was evident in their approach against Christopher Mpofu, who bowled six maidens on a trot but without threatening to take a wicket.
The only semblance of a challenge came from Donald Tiripano, who got the ball to straighten against the right-handed Asela Gunaratne from wide of the crease. As the session progressed, Cremer adopted a more defensive approach. He bowled outside leg stump to Gunaratne, who struck a couple of gorgeous drives from the rough off Cremer in his 39.
Carl Mumba, who did bulk of the damage yesterday, took three wickets, while Cremer finished with 4 for 91, with assistance from the variable bounce in the surface, particularly from the rough areas.
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo