Sri Lanka Open Zimbabwe Tour With High-Scoring Draw

Sri Lanka Open Zimbabwe Tour With High-Scoring Draw

Kumar Sangakkara was in top batting form in Bulawayo.

©REUTERS/Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi (SRI LANKA) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Zimbabwe Select XI 159 (Mendis 4-59) & 238-5 (Masakadza 72) drew with
Sri Lanka 597-4 dec. (Sangakkara 174, Kapugedera 150ret.)

Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Kapugedera hit big centuries as Sri Lanka begun their tour of Zimbabwe with a draw against a Zimbabwe Select XI in Bulawayo.

Batting first, the Zimbabweans were bowled out cheaply with Ajantha Mendis running riot taking four for 59 while Dilhara Fernando picked up three for 19 and Angelo Mathews two for 19.

Sri Lanka's batsmen then cashed in and the first five men in the order all scored at least a half-century. Upul Tharanga (88) and Mahela Udawatte (55) put on 115 for the first wicket before Sangakkara (174), Kapugedera (150) and Thilina Kandamby (55 not out) added 287 for the third wicket after Kapugedera retired hurt.

Prosper Utseya was rewarded for a long spell with three for 133.

Zimbabwe's batting picked up in the second innings as half-centuries from Hamilton Masakadza (72), Stuart Matsikenyeri (71) and Justice Chibhabha (59) enabled them to save the game.

The Select XI take on Sri Lanka in a One Day warm-up prior to the five-match One Day International series in Harare on November 17th.

© Cricket World 2008