Sri Lanka take control against Zimbabwe A

Zimbabwe A 294 (Ervine 75) and 28 for 1 trail Sri Lankans 461 (M Jayawardene 113, Samaraweera 97, Sangakkara 95) by 139 runs
Scorecard

Thilan Samaraweera laid the foundations, and Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene applied the flourish, as the Sri Lankans took command on the second day of their tour match against Zimbabwe A in Harare. In reply to the Zimbabwean first-innings total of 294, Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 461 with contributions all down the order. By the close, Stuart Matsikenyeri had failed for the second time in the match, as Zimbabwe A limped to 28 for 1 in 12 overs.

Even the presence of five of Zimbabwe's so-called rebels could not change their fortunes, as the Sri Lankans' engine-room of Samaraweera, Sangakkara and Jayawardene took control from the word go. Sangakkara, as is his custom, was the principal aggressor in the morning session, picking up from his unbeaten 41 to motor towards a richly deserved century. But he was eventually caught behind off Sean Ervine for 95, after cracking 16 fours and two sixes in his 93-ball innings (152 for 3).

Samaraweera had been content to drop anchor and let the fun go on at the other end, and he duly performed the same role for Jayawardene, who is standing in as captain for this match. There was an air of inevitability about his innings, but he too fell just short of his hundred - caught by Elton Chigumbura off Heath Streak for a 200-ball 97 (290 for 4).

Jayawardene made no mistake, however, and had raced to 113 from 106 balls, with 17 fours and a six, before falling lbw to Trevor Gripper. Gripper then accounted for Upul Chandana and Thilina Kandamby, both caught and bowled, although Kandamby didn't depart the stage until he had blitzed his way to a remarkable 52 from 41 balls - it was an innings that did not involve a single non-boundary, as it contained 10 fours and two sixes.

Prasanna Jayawardene, the reserve wicketkeeper, and Farveez Maharoof continued to enjoy themselves at the Zimbabwe bowlers' expense, before Chigumbura chipped in with both wickets and Ervine returned to wrap up the tail. Zimbabwe A trailed by 167 runs on first innings, and face a tricky task on the final day if they are to avoid defeat.