HARARE, 15 May 2004 — Dion Ebrahim’s ninth Test half-century failed to stop Sri Lanka gaining the advantage on the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo yesterday. The home side, who had been asked to bat after losing the first Test by an innings and 240 runs within three days, were dismissed for 228. Sri Lanka were 18 for no wicket at the close.
Ebrahim was seventh out for 70, which he scored in more than 3-1/2 hours at the crease from 172 balls with 12 fours. He featured in partnerships of 51 for the third wicket with Stuart Matsikenyeri (45) and 52 for the fourth with Tatenda Taibu (27).
Ebrahim held the innings together by showing application. Left-arm pace bowler Chaminda Vaas took three for 41, and drew first blood when he had Brendan Taylor caught behind for five by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.
In his next over, Vaas induced a sweetly struck but uppish drive from Mark Vermeulen which was smartly caught at extra cover by Muttiah Muralitharan. Vermeulen, playing his first Test since fracturing his skull on Zimbabwe’s tour to Australia in February, was out without scoring.
Matsikenyeri and Ebrahim were separated in the third over before lunch when Matsikenyeri drove a ball from off spinner Muralitharan firmly to mid-on and was run out by Farveez Maharoof’s throw,.
Taibu, who turned 21 yesterday, was out 13 overs after lunch when he drove at a delivery from medium pacer Maharoof to be caught by Thilan Samaraweera at short cover for 27. Sri Lanka’s domination of the first two sessions was assured when they removed Alester Maregwede and Elton Chigumbura in the space of 11 deliveries.
Jayasuriya ran Maregwede out for 24 with a throw from leg gully to bowler Muralitharan, and Chigumbura (0) edged Vaas to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip. Zimbabwe were dismissed an hour after tea, a slide that began when Ebrahim attempted to cut a delivery from Maharoof and was caught by Tillekeratne Dilshan at first slip.
Muralitharan, who took two for 58 to extend his world record tally, did not bowl his controversial doosra delivery.
Aussies in Zimbabwe to Support Zimbabwean Cricket: Manager
Meanwhile, touring Australian cricket team manager Stephen Bernard said yesterday that they are visiting Zimbabwe to help support cricket in the southern African country.
Bernard denied that the visit would give credibility to President Robert Mugabe’s government which is accused of rights abuse, but said that he hoped it would allow cricket to prosper in the troubled country.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of giving credibility or not giving credibility,” he said. “I think we as a team and players individually, are supporting Zimbabwean cricket and Zimbabwean cricketers.
“We want to support Zimbabwean cricket, we would love it to be strong, we would love it to prosper, and that’s why we are here,” Bernard told a news conference in Harare.
The world Test and One-Day International champions, who arrived here Thursday, are due next week to play a drastically-weakened Zimbabwe team. But team captain Ricky Ponting stressed that his team would maintain its high standards and did not want to underrate the under-strength Zimbabwean team.
