Second Test at Harare Zimbabwe-SL share honours on rain-hit day

Donald Tiripano reacts as Lasith Embuldeniya and Niroshan Dickwella appeals unsuccessfully

Donald Tiripano and Sikandar Raza took a wicket each as Zimbabwe reduced Sri Lanka to 122 for two in their first innings before bad light brought a premature end to the second day of the final Test at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Zimbabwe had posted 406 all out in their first innings and lead by 284 runs on a wicket that is offering little encouragement to the seamers but providing turn for the spin bowlers, which is likely to be the key factor in the remainder of the Test.

Kusal Mendis (19 not out) and Angelo Mathews (four not out), who crafted an unbeaten double ton in the first Test, will resume on the third morning with Zimbabwe the happier of the two camps.

The home side claimed the wickets of both Sri Lanka openers with their scores on 44. 

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne was trapped leg before wicket by off-spinner Raza before Oshada Fernando edged seamer Tiripano to wicket-keeper Regis Chakabva.
Sean Williams top scored in the Zimbabwe first innings with a superb 107 from 137 balls.

With the hosts resuming day two on 352 for six, Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya put a poor first day behind him as he claimed three of the final four wickets for figures of four for 182.

Zimbabwe will feel well ahead in the game if they can pick up key wickets in the first session today, having made it into the final hour on the fifth day of the first Test at the same venue earlier this month, only to lose by 10 wickets.

-REUTERS