Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 2016-17

At Harare, November 6-10, 2016. Sri Lanka won by 257 runs. Toss: Zimbabwe.
The first use of DRS in Zimbabwe saved the hosts from some poor decisions, but Herath's hatful ensured a 2-0 win for the Sri Lankans. Zimbabwe figured their best chance stood with their seamers, so Cremer requested a grassy surface, and was happy to bowl first. But Carl Mumba limped off with knee pain after the first over - only to return in the tenth - and the others wasted the first hour. It was left to part-timer Masakadza, who picked up two in six balls as Sri Lanka let their guard down. After Silva and Mendis fell in quick succession, they found themselves 112 for four, and under pressure for the first time in the series.

Just 44 runs dribbled from 18 overs after lunch, and Tharanga dug in for 79 before becoming the first player given out on review in Zimbabwe, when cameras caught a nick into his pad that ballooned to Masakadza at slip. De Silva, known as the "Ice Man" according to Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford, carried on the rebuilding job; he went to a hundred with a rolled pull off Mpofu, and brought his side to the close on a comfortable 290 for five.

Next day, Sri Lanka asserted their authority, as Gunaratne's maiden Test century ensured Zimbabwe conceded 500 in an innings for the fifth straight match; another four dropped catches did not help their cause. But they began their reply strongly. In the second over, Chari hit his first ball for six, lofting Herath over long-on, then struck the next two for four. Then, after Mawoyo and Masakadza had fallen to Herath with the score on 17, Chari repeated the shot to bring up his maiden Test fifty. He finished the day on 60, as did Ervine.

Thereafter, it was all about Herath. He picked up another three victims on the third day, completing five-wicket hauls against all nine Test opponents. Having done the damage, he opted against the follow-on and, though Zimbabwe's bowling improved, fifties from Karunaratne and Kusal Perera allowed a declaration midway through the fourth day. By stumps he had another five-for, and returned on the final morning to scoop up the remaining three, and finish with the best innings (eight for 63) and match figures (13 for 152) in Zimbabwe.

Herath shrugged off the feat with typical modesty, but his opposite number was in awe. "His control was exceptional," said Cremer. "He doesn't look like he's doing a lot, but he's got subtle variations that, as a batsman, you don't pick up."
Man of the Match: H. M. R. K. B. Herath. Man of the Series: F. D. M. Karunaratne