After a brilliant result in the ODI series which saw the African minnows Zimbabwe overhauling a much fancier Sri Lankan side in the 5 match bilateral ODI series, they have done justice to their reputation by fighting it out on the opening day of the one off Test at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Before the start of the tour, no one would have given Zimbabwe a chance to even win a single match let alone a series but following a resounding series victory in the ODI series, they must be confident of their chances in the one off Test and following a spirited performance on the opening day they might well go on to create history.
It was Craig Ervine’s brilliant unbeaten 151 which propelled the visitors to a score of 344/8 at the end of the opening day’s play. The mind boggling innings by the southpaw were decorated with 13 fours and a solitary six. Malcolm Waller and Sikandar Raza supported him well with 36 each but it was an Ervine show on display as the Sri Lankan bowlers found it pretty hard to stop the blazing blade of Ervine.
Hamilton Masakadza and Regis Chakabva started off well with a couple of boundaries before veteran spinner Rangana Herath castled him with Zimbabwe at 23. Two more wickets fell in quick succession as Zimbabwe was reduced to 38/3. While Herath bagged the prized scalp of Masakadza, Lahiru Kumara dismissed debutant Tarisai Musakanda to put the visitors on the back foot. It was originally given not out but reviews suggested that there was a nick.
Sean Williams and Craig Ervine started rebuilding the innings and in the process, Williams struck some exquisite shots as Ervine was slowly getting into his groove. After playing well for a 26 balls 22, Williams was holed out while attempting a sweep of Dilruwan Perera. Sikandar Raza joined Ervine in the middle and announced his arrival by dancing down the track and smashing Herath for a big six.
Both played cautiously and took the singles and doubles in between. The duo looked settled in the crease and was hardly troubled by the hosts. Ervine broke the shackles in the 36th over of Dilruwan Perera by smashing a four and a six off consecutive deliveries. After sharing a healthy stand of 84 runs Raza was dismissed by Herath with an arm ball which reduced the visitors to 154/5.
Peter Moors was the next batsman in and he announced his arrival with a six down the ground. Meanwhile, Ervine kept on ticking the scoreboard and was looking set for a well deserved century. Moor was dismissed on 19 by Asela Gunaratne in the 52nd over. The partnership between new man Malcolm Waller and Ervine proved to be the turning point of the day as Zimbabwe made a solid comeback in the last 3 hours of the day.
Waller struck the boundaries on a consistent basis which eased off the pressure on Ervine and he completed his century in the 60th over. It was a well deserved century by the leftie. After a crucial partnership, Waller was bamboozled by Herath yet again as the left-arm spinner bagged his 4th wicket. Two more wickets fell in quick succession but an inspired unbeaten stand for the 9th wicket between Donald Tiripano and Ervine again tilted the scales in favour of Zimbabwe.
Both Ervine and Tiripano struck some gorgeous shots towards the fag end of the day as Ervine reached a brilliant 150. It was a brilliant innings by the southpaw and was well supported by Tiripano who remained unbeaten on 24. Eventually, Tiripano ended the day by smashing Herath for a boundary in the final delivery of the day to take Zimbabwe to 344/8 in 90 overs.
Brief Scores
Zimbabwe 344/8 (Craig Ervine 151*, Malcolm Waller 36, Sikanar Raza 36, Donald Tiripano 24*, Rangana Herath 4/106, Asela Gunaratne 2/28)