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Zimbabwe Avoid Humiliation on Day 1

Saturday, May 15 2004

Dion Ebrahim and Stuart Matsikenyeri have steered Zimbabwe to a modest total following Day 1 of the second Test of Sri Lanka's ill-fated tour.

Winning the toss and bowling, Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu showed little hesitation in sending the raw Zimbabweans in first on the Bulawayo deck. Zimbabwe included Tawanda Mupariwa for the first time, while Mark Vermeulen returned following a fractured skull.

Blessing Mahwire and Prosper Utseya dropped out of the starting XI.

Chaminda Vaas claimed 2 early breakthroughs as Brendan Taylor (5) and Vermeulen fell cheaply.

Yet Stuart Matsikenyeri and Dion Ebrahim added 51 for the 3rd wicket as opener Matsikenyeri closed in on a second Test half century. Yet his enthusiasm proved his downfall, run out for 45.

Tatenda Taibu and Alistair Maregwede made solid contributions in the middle order as Ebrahim pushed on to a 9th Test 50. On 70, however, Ebrahim fell to Farveez Maharoof, allowing the rookie his second wicket of the innings and fourth of his Test career.

The Zimbabwean lower order offered little resistance as Muttiah Muralitharan claimed 2 more wickets for his imposing tally. This week, Murali was ordered to shelve his controversial 'doosra', and also struggled with a bruised finger that nullified his effectiveness.

Chaminda Vaas finished as the statistical pick of the bowlers with 3/41 as Muralitharan and Maharoof claimed 2 wickets each. Nuwan Zoysa snared 1 wicket while Sanath Jayasuriya was only needed for 4 overs. 4 catches went down in the field, with keeper Prassana Jayawardene a repeat offender.

The tourists' reply was admirably disciplined as Jayasuriya and Atapattu showed respect and constraint to Zimbabwean opening duo Douglas Hondo and Tinashe Panyangara, finishing at 0/18 at stumps after 13 overs.

Progress Score: Stumps Day 1

Zimbabwe 228 (D Ebrahim 70, S Matsikenyeri 45; C Vaas 3/41)

Sri Lanka 0/18.

Posted by Andre