Kusal Mendis keeps SL in sight of record chase
“The best part about our squad is that someone steps up every single game,” said Beaumont.
“Heather had a crucial knock with the bat and then everyone did their bit with the ball and that’s really important.
“We all need to be on form
Kusal Mendis scored a fluent half-century to keep Sri Lanka’s hopes of chasing a record 388 alive on day four of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe on Monday.
The hosts were 170 for three at stumps, with Mendis (60) batting alongside Angelo Mathews (17) at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium.
Sri Lanka’s highest-ever successful run chase was against South Africa in 2006, when they achieved their 352-run target in Colombo.
Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer dented the hosts with his leg-spin, claiming the important wickets of Upul Tharanga (27) and his opposite number Dinesh Chandimal (15).
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was bowled by left-arm orthodox spinner Sean Williams for 49 as the visitors persisted with an all-spin attack in the 48 overs bowled in the innings so far.
Mendis, who fought off hamstring trouble in the final session of play, put together an unbeaten 37-run stand with Mathews to take the delicately poised Test into its final day.
Zimbabwe were earlier bowled out for 377 in the second session, with Sikandar Raza (127) top-scoring for the visitors with his maiden Test century.
Cremer was the last man out for 48 off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who returned figures of 6-133 to take his match tally to 11 wickets.
The Pakistan-born Raza steered the team’s middle and lower order to help his side accumulate another 318 runs after being reduced to 59-5 on day three.
Raza’s 144-run partnership with Malcolm Waller (68) was the highlight of the Zimbabwe innings after the duo resumed on the overnight score of 252-6.
Zimbabwe are seeking their first-ever Test win against Sri Lanka, who are looking for redemption under new Test captain Chandimal. He took over from Mathews, who resigned after calling the one-day series loss a “hard pill to swallow”. heading into a semi-final.”
Their latest victory meant England could stay put to enjoy two full days of preparation in southwest city Bristol ahead of playing again in front of the loudest home support they’ve experienced during the World Cup.
They will, however, have to Mumbai: India’s premier offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin welcomed the upset ODI series victory scored by minnows Zimbabwe against hosts Sri Lanka and said such shock results will help cricket stay healthy.
“With regard to Zimbabwe winning over Sri Lanka, that’s how the game goes, anybody can lose, anybody can win. Tomorrow Afghanistan may beat someone, so that’s the way the sport needs to (go). It is very healthy for the game,” Ashwin said on the sidelines of a promotional event of small finance bank, Equitas Bank of which he is the brand ambassador.
Zimbabwe had defeated
Sri Lanka 3-2 once again overcome new-ball duo Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail, described as the “best opening pair in the world” by South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk. Contenders for the most improved side in women’s cricket, this is SA’s first World Cup semi-final since 2000. in the five match ODI series by wining the first, fourth and the fifth games.
Ashwin is part of the India squad led by Virat Kohli which is soon to engage Sri Lanka in a full-fledged series comprising three Tests, five ODIs and a lone T20 in the island nation.
The tour commences on July 21 with a two-day practice game at Moratuwa prior to the opening Test at Galle beginning July 26.
With regard to Zimbabwe winning over Sri Lanka, that’s how the game goes, anybody can lose, anybody can win. Tomorrow
Afghanistan may beat someone, so that’s the way the sport needs to (go).