July 14 (CRICKETNMORE) - Zimbabwe were 344/8 at stumps on the opening day of the first test against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday. Craig Ervine was batting on 151 and Tiripano on 24 when umpires called off the day's play.
After clinching the ODI series 3-2 last week, the visitors once again surpized the home side with some superb batting display specially by middle-order batman Craig Ervine who scored his second test century. The left-hander came when Zimbabwe lost 2 early wickets for just 38. Ervine formed vital partnerships with the middle and the lower middle order batsmen to help his team cross 300. He was helped along by Williams, Raza, Waller, Moor and Cremer - but all the batsmen fell to indiscreet shots.
For Sri Lanka, R Hereath and Gunaratne took 4 and 2 wickets respectively.
Brief Score
Zimbawe - 344/8 in 90 Overs (Ervine - 151*, Raza - 36, Waller - 36, Hearth - 4/106, Gunaratne - 2/28)
Sahir