Zimbabwe defiant in spite of Embuldiniya five-for

Lasith Embuldiniya got his second five-wicket haul in test cricket for Sri Lanka but a defiant Zimbabwe was still able to chalk up 358 runs in their first innings at Harare Sports Club.

Sri Lanka players getting off the pitch for tea during the first test against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club PIC: Zimbabwe Cricket

This was on a day a few Zimbabwe’s senior players fell to poor shots and were not able to kick on after laying foundations.

First to go was Brendan Taylor trapped leg before by Suranga Lakmal. Taylor is normally upset when he feels the decision is wrong but in this instance he will have been disappointed by his not offering a shot.

Sean Williams joined Craig Ervine at the crease but fell for only 18, the first of Embuldiniya’s victims for the day. Without bothering scorecard save for dot balls, Ervine was next out for 85 bowled by Lakmal.

The next two Regis Chakabva, 8, and Sikandar Raza were out when trying to force the issue, the former caught at mid-on and the latter stumped while venturing down the picth.

Of the debutants, it was Victor Nyauchi who provided the most cheer, ably holding up an end while Donald Tiripano played some choice shots that showed his growing genuine all-rounder status only to be stranded in his 40s, this time on 44 as Zimbabwe were all out for 358.