A basement battle

There was little to suggest that this was anything but a basement battle as Zimbabwe laboured for supremacy over Bangladesh on the third day at Harare. Most of the batting was uninspired, the bowling was innocuous and the fielding poor. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly a dashing 98 by Mohammad Ashraful which saved his team from the indignity of the follow-on, while the notable milestone was Heath Streak's 200th Test wicket.

Ashraful came to the wicket with Bangladesh struggling on 77 for 4, and needing a total of 242 to make Zimbabwe bat again. He made a cautious start, helped by the growing confidence of Rajin Saleh at the other end. He, like several other Bangladeshi batsmen, enjoyed some good fortune as at least a dozen scooped shots just evaded the fielders, but he made the most of it.

As the second new ball approached, he decided to make hay while the sun shone against the spinners, racing through the 70s and 80s. Although Streak and Andy Blignaut were not particularly threatening, the new ball and Ashraful's approaching century caused him to bat with caution. Eventually he missed what would have been a well-deserved century.

This was Streak's 200, and so dominant has he been among Zimbabwe bowlers over the last ten years that the next highest tally is 70, by Paul Strang, who sadly left Test cricket prematurely due to a chronic hand injury. He bowled well at the start of play, when this pitch is always rather fresh, although he had only one wicket to show for it, but after that it appeared that there was far more perspiration than inspiration in his bowling.

Dion Ebrahim and Trevor Gripper, Zimbabwe's openers, would have no doubt been glad that Bangladesh lost only nine wickets, as they would not have fancied batting before the close. They will also have a little time tomorrow morning for the pitch to settle before they bat. Bangladesh are still 128 runs behind and have much work to do to save this match, unless rain comes to their aid.