Zimbabwe 'A' Prosper vs SL
Tuesday, May 4 2004
Zimbabwe 'A' has escaped from their tour match against Sri Lanka with a draw following a 193-run stand between Trevor Gripper and Prosper Utseya.
Winning the toss on Day 1 the Zimbabweans compiled a solid 294 thanks to 75 from all-rounder Sean Ervine - a key rebel - and 63 from Elton Chigumbara. Vusi Sibanda and Mark Vermeulen both made promising starts before perishing as a bigger innings loomed. Heath Streak, meanwhile, received a standing ovation from the predominantly coloured crowd as the came to the crease.
Upul Chandana pressed his Test claims with 3 wickets while Dilhara Fernando continued his rehabilitation from back problems with 2 wickets.
Blessing Mahwire claimed 2 quick wickets before stumps to ensure that the host side finished day 1 on a competitive note.
Yet Mahela Jayawardene's 113 helped steer Sri Lanka well into pole position as Thilan Samaraweera and Kumar Sangakkara both made it into the nervous nineties before falling with hundreds in sight.
Thilina Kandamby completed 52 in his maiden innings for the Sri Lankans, while in a promising sign keeper Prassana Jayawardene made 40. Long has his batting been question, he stands head and shoulders as the best glove man in the island.
Trevor Gripper's 3/22 lead the pack of 7 bowlers, while rebels Heath Streak and Raymond Price were off colour with the ball. Ervine, Mahwire and Chigumbara claimed 2 wickets each.
Losing Stuart Matsikenyeri early on in their second innings, Prosper Utseya was promoted to number 3 as a night watchman.
Resuming day 3 one wicket down, Utseya and Trevor Gripper added 193 from the second wicket in a gritty stand that ensured the Zimbabweans safety. Utseya fell for 89, while Gripper came 3 runs short of a hundred before being bowled by Chandana.
Zimbabwean captain Alistair Maregwede brought the match to a close as the Zimbabweans declared at 8/306.
Final Scores:
Zimbabwe 'A' 294 (S Ervine 75, E Chigumbara 63; U Chandana 3/90)
Sri Lanka 461 (M Jayawardene 113, T Samaraweera 97, K Sangakkara 95, T Kandamby 52, P Jayawardene 40; T Gripper 3/22)
Zimbabwe 'A' 8 dec. 306 (T Gripper 97, P Utseya 89; U Chandana 4/80)
Match Drawn.
Posted by Andre
Email Us
Forum
Mail Article
Print Article