da winzada777： After the sulphorous fireworks and live bands at the LG Abans one-day finalon Wednesday night, the first day of Zimbabwe’s only practice game seemedtranquil and sleepy, which appeared to help the tourists, as they restoredsome confidence with a
Charlie Austin21-Dec-2001After the sulphorous fireworks and live bands at the LG Abans one-day finalon Wednesday night, the first day of Zimbabwe’s only practice game seemedtranquil and sleepy, which appeared to help the tourists, as they restoredsome confidence with a decent batting display against a youthful Sri LankanBoard XI at the P.Saravanamuttu Oval on Friday.Watched by a handful of ground staff and three old ponies munchingcontentedly on adjacent grassy bank, Zimbabwe weathered a clammy first hour,which had the makings of disaster as the ball darted around markedly, toscore 319 for six. It wasn’t a we-are-coming-to-get-you-Sri Lanka display,but they showed they are capable of making life difficult for the hosts whenthe Test series starts next week.The last thing Zimbabwe needed before the first Test was another battingcollapse and, when Hamilton Masakadza prodded at a leg-cutter from theimpressive Dinusha Fernando to be caught behind for 10, one did wonderwhether another meek display was on the cards.But opener Trevor Gripper and number three Stuart Carlisle, who has beenremoved from the captaincy after the return of Brian Murphy, battedstaunchly throughout the rest of the morning. By the afternoon session thesun had burnt off the early morning menace in the wicket and the pair added186 for the second wicket.Gripper – somewhat unfortunately referred to as T.G. Ritter in the officialtour programme – was hardly stylish but was organised and efficient, goingonto score a chanceless 101, his third first class century, before retiringhurt at tea with a sore knee.His partner, Carlisle, also deserved a century for an adhesive four-houreffort, but he fell narrowly short, as he cracked a short ball from abustling Ravi Pushpakumara straight to point having scored 98.After the retirement of Gripper, the middle order wobbled, with only AndyFlower showing any prolonged resistance. The prolific left-hander studiouslybatted himself back into good form after a disappointing one-day series andfinished the day unbeaten on 51.With three top order batsmen spending valuable time in the middle, themanagement would have been satisfied even though they had failed tocapitalise fully on a solid foundation, as five wickets fell in an extendedevening session.Grant Flower had waited patiently in the dressing room for three and a halfhours for his turn to bat, only to edge a catch into the slips for two.Gavin Rennie, the latest player to be drafted into the squad, scored 19before he was caught at short leg trying to sweep, before Craig Wishart (6)was stumped whilst trying to two-step down the wicket and Douglas Marillier(6) played onto his stumps when the second new ball was taken.Earlier in the day, the Zimbabwe had decided to rest opening bowlers TravisFriend and Heath Streak, both of who are anyway in good form with the ball,as they packed their side with batsmen.