Zimbabwe facing tough fight for survival

For the second consecutive game the Zimbabweans will go into the last day of the match with their backs to the wall and a draw their only realistic goal. Having gained the upper-hand in this match after bowling out the Sri Lankans for just 212 and then progressing to 142-4 in reply, they collapsed to 173 all out. Grateful for the lead, the Sri Lankan's then extended it to 117 with an unbroken opening stand of 78.

Spurred on by a May Day crowd of at least 38 locals, the Sri Lankan opening bowlers struck immediately in the morning. Suresh Perera, who is making his comeback to first class cricket after a layoff of 5 months due to a stress fracture, trapped Neil Ferreira (0) with the forth delivery of the day. Four balls later Gavin Rennie (1) chipped an easy return catch back to Dinusha Fernando and Zimbabwe were precariously placed on 2-2.

The early wickets gave Aleser Maragwede (7) and Douglas Marillier (81) their first chance of a bat on this tour and an opportunity to push for their inclusion in the test side. With Andy Blignaut still suffering from a back injury and Mark Vermeulen having a wrist injury there could well be some changes for the match in Galle.

It was an opportunity that Douglas Marillier didn't waste. His presence on this tour a remarkable triumph in itself after a horrific car accident a few years ago, he compiled a fluent and entertaining half century. Unfortunately for his team only Craig Wishart (26) was able to give him support.

Craig Wishart joined Marillier in the 26th over after Dion Ebrahim (18) was caught behind off the impressive left arm spin of Dinuk Hettiarachchi. After the lunch break the pair took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers, scoring 69 runs in an hour. However Wishart's obvious skill and power was eventually undermined by some poor decision making. Immediately after cutting Priyanka Wickramasinghe to the point boundary he was caught at short cover trying to drive a ball from the same bowler that was too short in length.

Having made the breakthrough the Sri Lankan spinners then applied the pressure with some miserly bowling, 11 runs being scored off nine overs. Stuck in the 80's Douglas Marillier was then deceived by some extra bounce from Priyanka and was caught behind. Greg Lamb (10) walked straight in front of his stumps and was uncontroversially adjudged LBW and Peacock (2) popped up a simple catch to Suresh Perera just on the stroke of tea.

Despite Angus Mackay's attempt to launch something of a counter attack the tailenders cold offer little resistance. Dinuk Hettiarachchi (3-25) finishing off the innings with two quick wickets. It was just reward for a fine spell of bowling by the left arm spin. An energetic spinner of the ball he was prepared to give the ball and vary his pace. On the evidence of today he is currently Sri Lanka's best left arm spinner.

The Sri Lankan openers wasted no time in extending their small lead and were rarely troubled by the Zimbabwean bowlers. Shantha Kalavitigoda was the more attacking of the two: hitting eight fours and one six in a fine 49 not out. Ian Daniels (25*) looked equally impressive but nevertheless content to leave the acceleration to his partner.