Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe tail contribute in snowballing 262-run lead against Sri Lanka at stumps, Day 3 of Colombo Test

After Craig Ervine’s single-handed effort of 160 in the first innings, another impressive performance come from Zimbabwe team as Sikandar Raza and the lower order contribute in building a massive 262-run lead against Sri Lanka in the only Test at Colombo.

After Craig Ervine’s single-handed effort of 160 in the first innings, his teammate Sikandar Raza emulated something similar in the second essay, taking the lead to 262. After bundling Sri Lanka for 346 and snatching a 10-run lead early on Day Three of the Colombo Test, Zimbabwe had a torrid time losing their top four batsman for 23 runs in the first session itself. However, Raza helped his side make a brilliant comeback, building brief yet crucial partnerships with the lower-middle-order batsmen to take the score to 252 for 6 at stumps. Live cricket scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, One-off Test

Post tea, Raza continued batting with Peter Moor to build big on their 68-run partnership. Dinesh Chandimal, the Sri Lanka captain, primarily opted for Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera. Both Raza and Peter Moor played the bowlers with patience. Raza got to his half-century and the partnership went on to add over 80 runs. As Chandimal replaced Lakmal with Lahiru Kumara, the pacer gave Sri Lanka the crucial breakthrough with the very first ball. Kumara lured Moor with a short ball but cut pace off it. As Moor pulled it, the ball found Danushka Gunathilaka, substitute fielder for Asela Gunaratne.

With Moor departing for a handy 40, Malcolm Waller joined Raza in the middle. However, the wicket seemed to have not affected Zimbabwe at all. Waller hit four off the first ball he played in the innings. Raza and Waller looked very comfortable batting with each other and showed good understanding. Zimbabwe had acquired over 150-run lead when Waller walked out and his batting and body-language reflected a certain confidence that helped him play fearless yet risk-free cricket.

There was no hurry to rotate strike and pass them to Raza. Instead, Waller himself took the charge and made boundaries more frequent. This paced up the scoring rate and Sri Lanka were compelled to bowl negative lines. That, too, did not affect the two Zimbabwe batsmen much.

Raza, surprisingly, looked extremely comfortable hitting Herath all over the park. Just like a 12-run over in the second session, he hit Herath for a six and a four in the third session as well, creating some pressure on the veteran spinner who has otherwise been terrific with the ball.

Though the Sri Lanka bowlers produced a few tough chances here and there, the two batsmen took the team’s score to 200 with ease. Waller scored a very unlikely half-century off only 54 deliveries. The two remained unbeaten at stumps of Day Three, with Raza three runs away from his maiden Test century and Waller at 57  forming an unbeaten 107-run partnership.

Zimbabwe are in a very strong position now with a good lead and two days in hand. They will want to bat well in the first session on Day Four to take the lead past 300, which will increase problems for Sri Lanka who will bat majorly on a day-five track.

Brief scores

Zimbabwe 356 and 252 for 6 (Sikandar Raza 97*, Peter Moor 40, Malcolm Waller 57*; Rangana Herath 4 for 85, Dilruwan Perera 1 for 69) lead Sri Lanka 346 (Upul Tharanga 71, Dinesh Chandimal 55, Angelo Mathews 41, Asela Gunaratne 45;  Graeme Cremer 5 for 125, Sean Williams 2 for 62) by 262 runs.

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