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Zimbabwe Select v Sri Lanka A, Harare, 2nd day

Spinners give Sri Lanka control

Cricinfo staff

October 18, 2007

Zimbabwe Select 203 for 6 (Sibanda 55, Chibhabha 40) trail Sri Lanka A 426 (Perera 75, Warnapura 71, Silva 63, Herath 59*, Utseya 4-100) by 223 runs

Sri Lanka A took control against Zimbabwe Select as the spinners started to cause problems on a wearing pitch. Vusi Sibanda struck an aggressive 55, but the home side lost regular wickets and still trail by 223. Rangana Herath's all-round show drove Sri Lanka's effort as he followed a half-century with two key wickets.

A productive morning session by Sri Lanka's tail boosted their total to 426 as Herath milked the bowling with useful support from Nuwan Kulasekara (41) Akalanka Ganegama (37). Zimbabwe's attack struggled to wrap up the innings as Ganegama twice launched full tosses from Tawanda Mupariwa over fine leg. Prosper Utseya finally ended the resistance when Ganegama lofted another attempted six to hand the captain his fourth scalp.

Zimbabwe made a strong start in reply with Sibanda and Brendan Taylor adding a brisk 91 for the first wicket. Sibanda's fifty came off 80 balls before he edged Herath to Tillakaratne Dilshan at slip. Herath's day continued to go from strength to strength when he trapped Taylor lbw and Sri Lanka built the pressure.

The run out of Tatenda Taibu didn't help Zimbabwe's cause and when Chamu Chibhabha pulled Ganegama to square leg the momentum was all with Sri Lanka. Stuart Matsikenyeri battled hard for 27, but his departure moments before the close left Zimbabwe still 77 short of saving the follow-on.

© Cricinfo