Rebel returns lift Zimbabwe
On his return to Zimbabwe colours, Heath Streak was dismissed for 1 and failed to take a wicket, but his fellow rebel Sean Ervine made 75, and Elton Chigumbura 63, as Sri Lanka were given their stiffest test of the tour, on the opening day of their
Wisden Cricinfo staff
01-May-2004
Sri Lanka 66 for 2 (Samaraweera 12*, Sangakkara 41*) trail Zimbabwe 294 (Ervine 75, Chigumbura 63) by 228 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
On his return to Zimbabwe colours, Heath Streak was dismissed for 1 and failed to take a wicket, but his fellow rebel Sean Ervine made 75, and Elton Chigumbura 63, as Sri Lanka were given their stiffest test of the tour, on the opening day of their three-day match against Zimbabwe A at Harare.
With their side galvanised by the return of five of the 15 rebel cricketers, Zimbabwe at last looked like a side capable of competing at international level. There were contributions all down the order, including useful innings from the other three rebels, Trevor Gripper, Mark Vermeulen and Ray Price. And when Blessing Mahwire tore in with two wickets in Sri Lanka's reply, Zimbabwe had taken the honours in the opening exchanges.
Although he was excited at the prospect of playing cricket again, Streak was not named as captain for this fixture. Instead that honour went to Alester Maregwede, who like Tatenda Taibu, also doubled as wicketkeeper. He made an important 25 in the middle order - including two sixes - and later caught Sanath Jayasuriya for 11, after Ian Daniel had been dismissed by Mahwire's first delivery of Sri Lanka's innings.
Zimbabwe had themselves made a dicey start after winning the toss and choosing to bat, when Stuart Matsikenyeri was bowled by Farveez Maharoof for 4 (16 for 1). Gripper and Vermeulen steadied the innings before falling in quick succession, but then the middle order of Vusi Sibanda, Ervine and Chigumbura took centre stage. Sibanda made 32 in a fourth-wicket partnership of 90 with Ervine, before Chigumbura came in to play the most expansive innings of the day. His 63 included 10 fours and two sixes, and came from just 84 balls.
The tail was whittled away relatively quickly by Upul Chandana, who finished with 3 for 90, although Price lit up the lower order with three fours in his 19-ball 22. An all-out total of 294 was extremely respectable, and looked all the better when Sri Lanka had slumped to 11 for 2 in reply. But by the close, Kumar Sangakkara was in ominous touch on 41 not out. His duel with Streak tomorrow morning may define the course of the match.