da 888casino： Zimbabwe’s plodding medium pacers and gentle spinners toiled earnestlythroughout the second day of their three-day practice match against a SriLankan Board XI at P.Saravanamuttu Stadium on Saturday
da fazobetai： Charlie Austin22-Dec-2001Zimbabwe’s plodding medium pacers and gentle spinners toiled earnestlythroughout the second day of their three-day practice match against a SriLankan Board XI at P.Saravanamuttu Stadium on Saturday.The tourists enjoyed a profitable morning following an overnight declarationon 319 for six, as their seamers winkled out three top order wickets on alifeless pitch. But in the afternoon schoolboy star Jeewan Mendis (79) andall-rounder Gayan Ramyakumara (103 not out) settled down to slowly compile a167 run partnership in 60 overs.Zimbabwe eventually dismissed Mendis after the 18-year-old left-handerspiraled a catch to skipper Brian Murphy at cover point, but the Board XIlost not further wickets before bizarrely accepting an offer for bad light -when there was little danger of personal injury from a less than terrifyingbowling attack – to end the day on 269 for four.It was, however, a useful day for the tourists, even it did point to a lackof penetration in the bowling department. Leg-spinner Brian Murphy and fastbowler Henry Olonga, who are likely to join Heath Streak and Travis Friendin the final Test line-up, enjoyed an extended chance to find some rhythmand form before next weeks last Test.Olonga started the day excellently, picking up a wicket in each of his twomorning spells, as he first bowled Ian Daniel (1) and then had Chamara Silva(26), who has been picked in the Test squad, caught at cover to leave theSri Lankans precariously placed on 53 or three.But Mendis and Ramyakumara then knuckled down. Mendis, from St. ThomasCollege, impressed during the recent Under 19 series in Pakistan, where hewon two man of the match awards. Considered the best batsmen in the Under 19pool, the left-hander looked the part, with his confident body language, anorganised technique and strong wrists. He showed good patience too, as hebatted for just under four hours for his 79.Ramyakumara wasn’t due to play, but celebrated his birthday yesterday with abizarre call up after the match had started following an injury to AnushkaPolonowita. Both captains agreed to the late replacement, but Zimbabwe maybe ruing their generousity after the Tamil Union left-hander stroked anelegant hundred, the fourth first-class ton of his career, as he cracked 13fours and two sixes. He did, though, enjoy some good fortune, being droppedon six at silly point and surviving a vehement bat-pad appeal when on 49.After the dismissal of Mendis, wicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene, whoboasts the neatest glovework in the country, re-opened the debate aboutwhether he is worthy of a place in the Test side, with an entertaining 26run cameo that included four boundaries.Zimbabwe will now be hoping that the Board XI declare early tomorrow morningto give their batsmen a chance to practice on a wearing third day wicket.
