Zimbabwean bowlers make BCCSL XI struggle

Following their great escape in the first unofficial test match the Zimbabwean bowlers have continued where they left off in Kurunegala. Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat, struggled against the miserly bowling of the visitors on a turning pitch at De Zoysa Stadium and were bowled out for just 212.

The Zimbabwean players have immediately responded to the coach's request for greater discipline in the bowling after the Kurunegala test match. Even the opening bowlers, who have been extremely expensive in the tour so far, acquiesced by bowling a tighter line and shorter length. The spinners - Peacock, Rennie and Price - continued the good work, although initially they bowled a little too flat and fast for this dry, turning wicket.

Kumar Sangakkara held the innings together for the Sri Lankans with a fine 90 off 195 balls. The left handed wicket-keeper played a businesslike innings for his team. Unlike the present Sri Lankan wicketkeeper, Romesh Kaluwitharana, he appears a watchful and patient batsmen. Nevertheless he was prepared to attack the bowlers when given the opportunity and hit a total of 12 boundaries. He was though lucky to survive two chances: a catch down the leg-side in the 50th over and a run-out chance after he slipped in the middle of the wicket.

Apart from Sangakkara and Upeka Fernando (46), who shared a third wicket partnership of 99, the Sri Lankan batsmen failed to apply themselves nor show the kind of intensity and commitment that one has come to expect from Sri Lankan sides during the last few months.

When play commenced in the morning session there was still some moisture in the wicket for the faster bowlers to exploit. Bowling straighter and shorter than they have previously in the tour the opening bowlers, Mackay (1-14) and Muntendera (3-28), induced an unusually cautious start by the Sri Lankan openers, Ian Daniels (10) and Shantha Kalavitigoda (5). Having scored just 19 off the first 12 overs Ian Daniels tried to ball a short delivery from Mutendera but only succeeded in hitting it straight up in the air for a return catch. Three balls later Kalavitigoda followed his partner back to the dressing room after he popped up a catch for Greg Lamb at short leg.

Upeka Fernando and Kumar Sagarakkara then set out repairing the early damage. Patiently and slowly they played themselves in before accelerating after the lunch interval. After the break Upeka decided to be more aggressive and started to attack the Zimbabwean bowlers. Immediately the Zimbabwean's decided on a policy of control. The spinners speared the ball into the legs of the batsmen and packed the leg-side with fielders.

However when the partnership was eventually broken, Fernando was caught behind whilst attempting to cut Price, the spinners became more offensive. Now prepared to flight the ball more to the new batsmen they started to extract considerable spin for the first day of a three-day match.

Wickets then started to fall at regular intervals. Jehan Mubarak (11) chipped a return catch back to Peacock in the 59th over and Damika Sudharshana (4) was bowled by Price in the 66th. Suresh Perera, making his representative comeback after injury, was caught at short leg, the victim of a well flighted off break from Peacock that turned enough to catch the inside edge. Sangakkara finally perished when he skied a simple catch to Mackay and mid-off.

At the end the Sri Lankan tail-enders decided enjoy themselves in the pleasant evening sunshine with a few lusty blows off the spinners. This was promptly put to an end by the Zimbabwean captain who decided to take the new ball. Mutendera finishing off the innings with two quick wickets.