Gallage steals show in rain-hit match

The three-day match between the President's XI and Sri Lanka at Bulawayo Athletic Club was again badly disrupted by rain for the second time in as many days, which all but rules out a result going into the final day this morning.

In all, 64 overs, which translates to four hours and 16 minutes of play, have been lost to the rain and bad light over the last two days.

Still, there was enough quality cricket to lift the moods of those who turned up at BAC yesterday.

Resuming on their 215-4 yesterday, the Presidents's XI went on to close their innings on 325 -- a fairly good knock when considering that they were staring at humiliation on 39-3 on the first morning of the match.

In reply, Sri Lanka were 194-3.

But the highlight of yesterday's action was the achievement of 22-year-old Indika Gallage, who finished with 6-60 off 17 overs in his debut match for his country.

The Pandura-based right-arm paceman bowled a good line and length throughout and it was his consistency that enabled him to reap the rewards, something which home skipper Angus Mackay conceded at the close.

"It was a pretty flat wicket that Gallage bowled on but he kept a tight line and good length and that perhaps is what made the difference," said Mackay in reflection.

Gary Brent, who put on 154 with Gavin Rennie for the fifth wicket that rescued the President's XI innings, departed without adding to his overnight 55, while Rennie finally went out leg before after scoring 127.

Brent was also trapped leg before by Gallage.

Another Rennie, John, was unbeaten on 48 and was a shade unlucky not to get his half-century when he ran out of partners, while Mackay weighed in with 33 at the end.

Sri Lankan opener Marvin Atapattu also finished two short of his half-century, but Russell went one better and was unbeaten on 53 when rain cut short the action.

There were also useful contributions from Dilshan Tillikaratne (35) and Mahela Jayawardena (38).

With rain affecting the first two days and hopes of much more for the farmers and almost everyone else in the region, this match looks certain to end in a draw today, although the visitors will be keen to have more time batting to prepare for the three-Test series and five one-day internationals still to come.