Mubarak boosts Sri Lankans before rain
Rain denied the Sri Lankan bowlers another workout before the one-day
series when their match against Zimbabwe A was washed out after they
were dismissed for 235.
The Zimbabwe A bowlers tested the experienced Sri Lankan batsmen and
they were 73 for 4 before Jehan Mubarak and Upul Tharanga steered them
to a competitive total.
Mahela Jayawardene, back to lead the Sri Lankans after being rested
for the four-day match against the Zimbabwe Select XI, won the toss but
the top order struggled. Mahela Udawatte fell in the seventh over when
he edged to the wicketkeeper and Kumar Sangakkara, who plundered 174
against the Select XI, cut to point for 5.
Admire Manyumwa struck twice in quick succession to remove
Jayawardene, caught at mid-on, and Chamara Kapugedera with the score on
73. Tharanga helped add 61 for the fifth-wicket until he was stumped of
Malcolm Waller, the son of former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Waller, who then
picked up his second wicket when he removed Farveez Maharoof.
Waller claimed his third courtesy of a fine catch in the deep by
Cephas Zhuwawo, but Mubarak ensured the innings didn’t fade away as he
added 38 with Muttiah Muralitharan.
Rainsford was the pick of the Zimbabwe A attack with 3 for 29 to put
his name firmly in the frame for the one-day series which starts on
Thursday. However, the rain prevented Vusi Sibanda from showing the
selectors how he is progressing after a hip injury.
CRICINFO |
