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Sri Lankans crush Zimbabwe bowling

Sunday, May 16 2004

As expected, Sri Lanka proceeded to wallop the paltry Zimbabwean bowling attack during the second day of the second of two Tests between the teams. Resuming from an overnight 18/0, captain Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya needed 16 overs to raise the century stand. Just 3 balls later, the first and only breakthrough for came for Zimbabwe - Jayasuriya caught behind off Nkala for 48.

Another 3 balls to the completion of Nkala's over, and Sangkarra got his first life, dropped by Panyangara - a very costly miss. The Zimbabwean bowlers tried manfully, but found no support from their fielders, Atapattu dropped twice and Sangakarra once more. Atapattu mostly looked in total control though, bringing up his century from 161 balls and soo after crossing 1000 Test runs against Zimbabwe.

Sangakarra's century took slightly longer - 170 balls - and his 150 came 5 balls slower than Atapattu's at 216. The score continued to pile up, individual and team, and the Test record of 313 for a partnership against Zimbabwe (Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq) was soon toppled.

Atapattu went in at stumps unbeaten with his sixth Test match double hundred registered and 202 runs (280 balls) to his name. Thus far he has hit 30 fours and a six. His partner Sangakarra will resume on 186 (248 balls) with 28 fours and 2 sixes in the bank. The Sri Lanka score stands at a massive 443/1 (103 overs) and three Zimbabwean bowlers are within 15 runs of a century surrendered, all of them wicketless.

What further mockery is made of Zimbabwean and Test cricket tomorrow is anyone's guess.

Match Summary:

Zimbabwe 1st innings 228 all out (75 overs)
(DD Ebrahim 70, S Matsikenyeri 45)
(WPUJC Vaas 3/41)

Sri Lanka 1st innings 443/1 (103 overs)
(MS Atapattu 202 not out, KC Sangakarra 186 not out)
(ML Nkala 1/69)

Posted by Liam