da premier bet： It came slower than expected, as afternoon rain and some studied defensethreatened to take the game into the final day, but Sri Lanka eventuallytriumphed to seal their six consecutive Test victory – a first for asub-continental side – and take an
Charlie Austin31-Dec-2001It came slower than expected, as afternoon rain and some studied defensethreatened to take the game into the final day, but Sri Lanka eventuallytriumphed to seal their six consecutive Test victory – a first for asub-continental side – and take an early lead in this Janashakthi NationalTest series.Zimbabwe, resuming today on 64 for two after a full moon holiday on Sunday,were bowled out for 236 in their second innings to lose by the comprehensivemargin of an innings and 166 runs – Sri Lanka’s largest victory in their19-year history.Zimbabwe did bear the brunt of some poor decision-making – though thankfullynot today – but the size and manner of their defeat would have severelydented morale, making a comeback in the second Test in Kandy starting Fridayan unlikely prospect.Acting captain Stuart Carlisle believed his side could come back in Kandy,but only if the batsmen started to cash in once they had played themselvesin. No Zimbabwean batsman scored a half-century, but there were ninecontributions of 25 or more.”We are doing the hardwork and getting established at the wicket – which isa positive – but then throwing away our wickets. We are not going to besuccessful if we continue to score 30s and 40s – we need big scores,” hesaid afterwards.Muttiah Muralitharan was once again the chief wicket-taker, picking up fourwickets in the innings and eight in the match, to round off a remarkableyear for the off-spinner in which he claimed 80 wickets in 11 games, thehighest ever haul by a spinner in a calendar year. Only Dennis Lillie (85wickets in 13 games) has taken more.Zimbabwe had begun the morning well, surviving the first hour of the morningwithout further loss. But the morning drinks interval appeared to break theconcentration of Carlisle (32). The 29-year-old tried to square cut a ballfrom Charitha Buddika Fernando that was too close to his body to be caughtbehind by man of the match Kumar Sangakkara behind the stumps (93 forthree).The wiry built medium pacer struck again in his next over has theleft-handed Gavin Rennie (4) edged into the slips and Mahela Jayawardenescooped up the ball with his fingers just before it brushed the turf.Nightwatchman Travis Friend continued to defy Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Using hislong reach to good effect and playing with limited ambitions, he batted forsix minutes short of three hours for his 44.But Zimbabwe really needed leading batsman Andy Flower (10) to fire. Hestarted well enough, spending 35 minutes playing himself in, before NuwanZoysa drifted an inswinger past his defenses (127 for five).Friend finally fell as Muralitharan switched to around the wicket andjack-knifed an off-break through an attempted straight drive and GrantFlower (18) was caught at silly point for the second time in the match (145for six).Sri Lankan hopes of a four-day victory and a long evening celebrating theNew Year then dipped as a sharp shower drenched the outfield, forcing theplayers off for an early tea. But the sunshine returned and despite the lossof 59 minutes, Sri Lanka just managed to secure victory before aheavier and more prolonged downpour after the awards ceremony.Craig Wishart (27) played a pugnacious innings with five fours before heclipped lamely into the hands of mid-wicket and both Gary Brent (7) andHenry Olonga (0) edged behind when Sanath Jayasuriya took the new ball.Heath Streak was left unbeaten for the second time in the match on 36.