Zim out for redemption
ZIMBABWE have an opportunity to make sure the two Test series against Sri Lanka ends 1-1 when the two teams clash in the second five-day cricket match at Harare Sports Club this morning.
The home side’s resistance in the first Test also staged at the same venue ended in a 225 run defeat on the last day. They have a chance to make amends in the final Test which with the way they played in the first have an opportunity to win.
Zimbabwe put up a good fight throughout and looked like they were going to earn a draw in their 100th match since attaining Test status in 1992. Skipper Graeme Cremer led that fight with an unbeaten 102, his maiden Test match to go with the four wickets he picked up in Sri Lanka’s first innings. He also chipped in with 43 runs in Zimbabwe’s second innings just to show his potential to develop into a complete all rounder, something head coach Heath Streak managed to do towards the twilight of his international career.
Besides Cremer’s brilliance with the bat, there were notable contributions by Tinotenda Mawoyo, Donald Tiripano and Sean Williams. Brian Chari struggled in the two innings opening the batting with Mawoyo and if the selectors drop him, they could bring in Tarisai Musakanda in his place. Craig Ervine is another player who had a hard time finding the runs but his quality cannot be doubted as shown by the 146 he scored against New Zealand which was his maiden Test hundred.
Young seamer Carl Mumba was impressive with the ball in hand with a total of five wickets in the match while old horse, lanky fast bowler Christopher Mpofu was not that bad with three to his name after years of not playing the longer version of the game at international level.
While Tiripano impressed with bat in hand, he did not get any wickets throughout the match which could prompt the selectors to bring in Michael Chinouya in his place. Chinouya’s inability to make any meaningful contribution with the bat in the lower order could count against his recall.
Streak last night indicated that they will make a call on the starting 11 after looking at the wicket this morning. For the Rangana Herath led Sri Lanka, Kusal Perara, Upul Tharanga and Dimuth Karunaratne all notched up centuries. They will look to continue with that fine display as they seek to clean sweep the Test series ahead of the One Day International triangular series which will also feature West Indies.
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