Gunaratne guides Sri Lanka’s record chase vs Zimbabwe
FIGHTBACK Hosts batsmen respond brilliantly to achieve a fourthinnings target of 388 in the Test
COLOMBO: Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne guided Sri Lanka to a record 388 target to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets on Tuesday in a pulsating end to their one-off Test.
A crucial 121-run sixth-wicket stand between Gunaratne (80no) and Dickwella (81) secured Sri Lanka’s best-ever run chase.
Sri Lanka’s previous best was against South Africa in 2006, when they achieved a 352-run target. Tuesday’s chase was also the highest in Asia and fifth best in Tests.
Man-of-the-Match Gunaratne anchored the chase to perfection after Dickwella’s departure, raising an unbeaten 67-run partnership with Dilruwan Perera (29no). The win was a boost for new Test captain Dinesh Chandimal and eased Sri Lanka’s pain after the shock loss in the ODIs.
“It’s always tough when you’re batting in the fourth innings but I told the team they should play their normal game and they played some outstanding innings, especially Dickwella and Asela,” said Chandimal.
Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer claimed four wickets with his leg-spin to return overall figures of 9-275 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
But Gunaratne, who played most of the Test as a batsman after injuring his hamstring in the first innings, tackled the Zimbabwe spinners with ease during his 151-ball stay.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Dickwella rode his luck to reach 81 before being caught behind off left-arm spinner Sean Williams while attemping an audacious reverse sweep.
Dickwella survived a stumping chance from Sikandar Raza’s off-spin on 37 and was then dropped by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva on 63.
The stumping reprieve cost Zimbabwe dearly. It was referred to the third umpire, who ruled him not out despite replays showing his toe was on the crease -- a case where the batsman can be given out.
HERATH EFFECT
Cremer removed overnight batsman Kusal Mendis for 66 after Sri Lanka resumed on 170-3. Cremer also had Mathews caught and bowled for 25. The visitors scented victory, but it was not to be for the 10th-ranked side.
For Sri Lanka, veteran leftarm spinner Rangana Herath claimed 11/249 to be named Manof-the-Series.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 356 & 377; Sri Lanka 346 & 391/6 (K Mendis 66, N Dickwella 81, A Gunaratne 80*, A Cremer 4/150).