ZIM vs SL Ball by Ball Commentary

A job well done from Dilshan Madushanka! So close, yet so far for Zimbabwe! This is on a short of a length, angled across, Tony Munyonga swings and lofts it over mid off. It is mopped up by the backtracking mid off fielder. Sri Lanka clinch this thriller by 7 runs and take an unassailable lead in this two-match ODI series!

That should do it for Sri Lanka! Madushanka serves a yorker, going across the batter, Tony Munyonga swings at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. Dilshan Madushanka just has to ensure that he keeps his foot behind the line.

On a back of a length, on middle, Blessing Muzarabani swings across and gets it to deep mid-wicket. Brings Tony Munyonga on strike, does Blessing. Zimbabwe need 9 off 2.

OUT! TIMBER! HAT-TRICK FOR MADUSHANKA! What a time to produce it! Dilshan Madushanka stays over the wicket but pulls the length back and keeps the line of attack at the stumps. Richard Ngarava stays leg side, clears his front leg and has a massive swing across the line. The ball sneaks under the blade to clatter into the stumps. Tony Munyonga is left stranded at the other end with Zimbabwe needing 10 runs off 3 balls.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Dilshan Madushanka! Dilshan pushes it across the right-hander, very full. Brad Evans looks to get under the ball and scoop it over short fine leg. Fails to do so in a fashion he would have liked to get the elevation. Spoons it towards short fine leg where Asitha Fernando runs over his right shoulder and takes a safe catch.

OUT! CASTLED! An ideal start to the final over for Sri Lanka and a hush falls over the Harare Sports Club! Not the best of balls though from Dilshan Madushanka. Goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, at the stumps, Sikandar Raza walks across the stumps to scoop it over the man at short fine leg but fails to connect and the middle stump gets uprooted. Raza trudges off in disappointment for 92 (87). Zimbabwe need 10 runs off 5 balls.

Asitha Fernando ends with a dot! Fernando lands the yorker, around leg, Tony Munyonga backs away and swings for the hills but is beaten on the inside edge.

Pace off by Asitha Fernando and into the wicket, around leg, Sikandar Raza swipes it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Low full toss, on the pads, Tony mistimes the heave towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 6 runs off the first 4 balls. Zimbabwe require 11 runs off 8 balls.

Asitha gets it full enough to deny the batter to get under the ball, on middle and leg, Tony Munyonga moves around in the crease but only manages to push it down the deck. Fernando makes a sharp stop low to his left.

Nails the yorker, on middle, Sikandar Raza gets his bat down and squeezes out an inside edge beside him on the leg side. The batters are quick to cross over.

FOUR! Just over! Asitha Fernando serves the leg-cutter, angled in to cramp the batter for room, on a length, Sikandar Raza manages to make just enough room to get his hands through the ball. Lofts it over the leaping mid off fielder for a boundary. A good start to the over for the home side.

Another well-executed wide yorker from Dushmantha Chameera. Sikandar Raza digs it out in front of extra cover for one more. 7 runs off the over. Zimbabwe need 17 runs off 12 balls.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! Chameera gets the wide yorker in, right at the guideline, Sikandar Raza takes it on the full, uses the pace on the ball to run it down to deep third. Beats the diving fielder in the deep to his left for a boundary.

This is even wider on off, near the tramline, very full, Tony reaches out and jams it off an under edge and it rolls in front of the keeper. Kusal Mendis gets to the ball quickly and releases an underarm throw at the batting end. He hits but Raza is home safely.

Another swing and a miss! Dushmantha Chameera sticks to the plan of bowling it full and outside off, Tony stays in the crease this time and swings to force it through the off side but connects with thin air. So far, so good from Chameera.

Lands it full and outside off, Tony Munyonga skips down the track and swings hard but fails to connect. Sikandar Raza walks up to have a chat with Tony.

Full and outside off, Sikandar Raza slices it to deep third for a single.

Direct hit but Sikandar Raza is safe! Fernando serves another bumper, over middle, Tony rides the bounce and pulls it to the right of deep square leg. The throw from the deep comes towards the keeper and Kusal Mendis is alert enough to collect and fire the throw at the bowling end. He manages to knock down the stumps just as Raza completes the second. The third umpire is called in but the replays show that Sikandar slid his back inside the crease and wasn't casual at all.

Asitha bends his back and goes short, over middle, Raza pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Back to bowling full at pace, on middle, Sikandar Raza swings across and smears it to the right of long on for a brace.

DROPPED! And to make matters worse, the batters run three. Asitha Fernando takes pace off and goes into the surface, over middle, Tony backs away to slap it aerially towards deep cover. The substitute fielder, Nuwanidu Fernando runs in off the ropes and could never really steady himself. He is on the move while attempting the catch and the ball bursts through his hands. The ball rolls behind and the batters attempt the third run. The throw goes to the batting end and Kusal Mendis flicks it back onto the stumps there but Raza is in by then.

Pace on, full and straight, at the stumps, Sikandar Raza has a hoick across the line. Gets an inside edge onto the back pad and it rolls beside him on the off side. Raza gets called through for a quick run.

Well bowled! Asitha Fernando spots Raza make the move early towards the leg side. Bowls a slower one and it is away from the batter's reach, on a good length. Sikandar reaches out but fails to connect.

Very full and wide on off, Sikandar steers it to deep third and takes a single. 9 runs off the over. Zimbabwe need 33 runs in 24 balls.

Good comeback from Chameera! Gets the yorker in, right at the popping crease, outside off, Sikandar Raza tries to open the bat face and glide it down to deep third but misses.

FOUR! A gift and Sikandar Raza accepts it gleefully! Chameera looks to go full but ends up serving a thigh-high full toss, on off, Raza holds his shape and jabs it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 8 runs off the over so far.

In the air...but safe! A well-disguised slower one from Dushmantha Chameera. It is the leg cutter, on a length, outside off, Tony swings to go down the ground. Skies it up but it lands in the vacant mid off region before Pathum Nissanka could get there from extra cover. They cross. The 100-run stand comes up in 102 balls.

Keeps it full and near the tramline on off, Tony Munyonga reaches out and carves it away to the left of extra cover. The deep point fielder runs to his right and mops it up. Two runs taken.

Nails the wide yorker on off, Raza gets his bat down and squeezes it out towards short third. Sikandar gets called through for a quick single by Tony.

Fires one full and on off, Sikandar Raza drills it to long off for one more. Zimbabwe need 42 runs in the last 5 overs.

Quicker, full and keeps it away from the batter, outside off, Sikandar Raza throws his bat at it but misses.

Dragged back, on off, Tony Munyonga stabs it out to long off for another run.

Shorter and on off, Sikandar Raza punches it through cover-point for a run.

Flatter, full and around off, Sikandar Raza smashes it wide of long off. Pathum Nissanka runs to his left and dives to keep it down to two runs.

Floated, full and on off, Tony Munyonga drills it to long off for a single.

Gets it in the blockhole, outside off, Tony Munyonga uses his feet and jams it out to long off for one more. 11 runs coming off the over without much risk.

A low full toss around off, Sikandar Raza opens the bat face and slices it over backward point for one.

Hard length and on off, Tony Munyonga forces it down to long off for one.

WIDE! No, no, this is not good from Dilshan Madushanka!

Short of a length and on middle, Tony Munyonga swats it hard and wide of long on. The fielder runs to his left and dives to save two runs for his team.

On a length and on off, Sikandar Raza guides it through point for a single.

WIDE! Slower one, full but again way outside off, Sikandar Raza lets it go. Second wide of the over.

Fuller and around off, Sikandar Raza pushes it through cover and calls for 'Two' straightaway. Tony Munyonga responds well, but a better throw would have had him at the bowler's end. Good intent, though from the batters.

WIDE! Tries the wide yorker, but bowls it way outside off, Sikandar Raza lets it go. Called a wide.

Another short delivery, on leg, Sikandar Raza works it through square leg for one.

Flatter, shortish and on off, skids through, Sikandar Raza gets a bit hurried and just drops it on the pitch.

Dragged back, on middle, Tony Munyonga swats it to long on for a run.

WIDE! Quicker, short but a bit too outside off, Tony Munyonga leaves it alone. Wided.

Fires in a yorker, on off, Tony Munyonga fails to dig it out. Two dots in a row. A bit of pressure on the batter.

Swing and a miss! Flatter, full and just outside off, Tony Munyonga swings across the line but fails to connect.

Goes short and on middle, Sikandar Raza pats it down to long on and runs the first one hard, but there is no chance of a second there.

Slower again, full and around off, Tony Munyonga uses his feet and pushes it through covers for an easy double. 63 runs needed in 48 balls now!

Nice change of pace, full and on off, Tony Munyonga looks to push it away but gets a bottom edge to the right of the bowler.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle and leg, Tony Munyonga backs away to cut it away but misses.

FOUR LEG BYES! More runs and free runs! Asitha Fernando goes much fuller again, on middle, angling into the leg side. Tony Munyonga looks to work it away but misses and the ball deflects off the pads to race away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. There is a slight shout for LBW, but turned down.

Fuller and on middle, Sikandar Raza backs away and guides it to point for a single.

FOUR! Gets it through! Short of a length and around off, Sikandar Raza just gets a bit hurried but adjusts well. He extends his arms and slams it through extra covers for a boundary.

Back of a length and outside off, Sikandar Raza cuts it hard wide of point. The fielder dives to his right to make a fine stop. Just one.

Hard length and around off, Sikandar Raza stabs it out to the off side.

FOUR! Gets cheeky with the new bat! Fuller and on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza goes down and across and nails the scoop shot to the fine leg fence for a boundary. Looks like he is going to change gears now.

Pitched up and on middle, Tony Munyonga forces it to long on for a run.

A big appeal for LBW, but turned down! Fuller and on middle, angling in, Tony Munyonga goes through his heave early and misses getting hit on the pads. Going down the leg side.

FIFTY FOR RAZA! A hard-fought knock, and this is his 23rd ODI half-century, and 4th against Sri Lanka. He has not looked at his absolute best but he knows he has to stay there till the end. Short of a length and on off, Sikandar Raza pats it to the vacant mid on region for a single.

Raza moves to 49! On a length, outside off, Sikandar gets forward and drives it to deep cover for a single. A productive over for the home side. 12 runs off it. Zimbabwe need 81 runs in 60 balls.

IN THE AIR and falls SAFE. Asitha Fernando bends his back and bowls the shorter length, just outside off. Sikandar Raza brings out the pull shot, but doesn't time it perfectly and it falls in the vacant cow corner region. They cross twice in the meantime.

FOUR! In the gap! Asitha serves a leg-cutter, into the wicket, over middle, Sikandar Raza waits for the ball to arrive and pummels it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary. 9 runs off the over so far.

Directs the short ball towards the batter, around middle and leg. Tony Munyonga stays on the leg side and steers it down to third man for a single. And with that run, the 50-RUN STAND comes up between these batters.

Wide! Banged in short and outside off, just beyond the tramline. Tony Munyonga looks to reach out for it, but misses. Wided!

On a fullish length, outside off, Sikandar Raza swings hard and smashes it to deep cover for a single.

Sticks on the leg stump line, on a length, Tony Munyonga swipes it across to deep fine and changes the strike.

Wide! Bangs it short and way outside leg stump, Tony Munyonga lets it go and the umpire calls it a wide.

Pushed through by Maheesh Theekshana and he tucks the batter up for room, on a nagging length, Sikandar Raza hangs back and keeps it out.

Quicker and flatter at the stumps, Sikandar Raza knocks it down to short mid-wicket for a dot delivery.

Floated up, on a length, on off, Tony Munyonga backs away and hits it firmly to long off for one.

IN THE AIR and lands SAFE. Maheesh Theekshana drops it full and attacks the stumps. Tony Munyonga gets down on his knees to play the sweep shot. But the ball takes the top edge and flies behind square on the leg side. Two runs taken in the meantime.

Short and on off, Raza taps it in front of mid off and takes a quick single.

Shorter and outside off, Tony Munyonga stays on the leg side to make some room and punches it to deep point for a run.

Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower one, on a back of a length, around off, Sikandar Raza steers it to backward point.

Bowls a slower one, on a fuller length and around the stumps. Tony Munyonga makes some room and swats it down to long on for a single.

Serves it on a length, outside off, Tony Munyonga swings hard to force it through the off side. Tony loses his bat but manages to get the shot away to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Bowls a good bumper, around off. Tony Munyonga lets it go past alone.

Dushmantha Chameera delivers a quick bumper, on off, Tony Munyonga swivels to get the pull shot away but is hurried in the shot. Miscues it off the splice of the bat beside the strip on the leg side.

Short-pitched delivery, around the right shoulder of Sikandar Raza and he shovels it across to the deep fine leg region for a single.

Delivers it on a back of a length, on middle, SR hops and nudges it in front of deep mid-wicket for a run.

Steps out again, does Tony Munyonga. Janith Liyanage bowls it on a length and straight at the stumps. Tony Munyonga jabs it back towards the right of the bowler, who does well to dive on his right and puts a hand on it. The ball deflects towards the mid on fielder and the batters cross for a single.

On the shorter side, on middle, Tony Munyonga hangs back and jabs it straight to the man at mid-wicket.

Lands it on a good length and keeps it outside off, Tony Munyonga skims down the track and looks to hammer that away on the off side, but gets beaten on the inside edge.

This is on a hard length, over middle, Sikandar Raza hops and places in front of deep mid-wicket. Raza calls fo two but Kamindu Mendis swoops in off the ropes and keeps the batters down to a single.

Lands it on a back of good length, around off, Sikandar Raza gets inside the line nicely and tucks it towards the big gap in the deep mid-wicket region and runs two.

Bashes the deck hard, over off, Tony Munyonga stands tall and dabs it down on the off side.

A touch shorter, but keeps the line straighter at the stumps and the ball keeps low as well. Sikandar Raza does well to swat it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! On a length, on middle, Sikandar Raza clears his front leg and goes over mid on. Gets more height on it but the distance is enough to fetch him a boundary.

Hurls it on a fuller length, targets the stumps, Sikandar Raza drives it uppishly and it reaches the mid on fielder on a bounce. Third consecutive dot delivery of the over.

Honing in on the off stump, on a good length, Raza firms the drive to cover.

Keeps it tight, full and angled at the stumps, Sikandar Raza pushes it back to the bowler with the full face of the bat.

Around the off stump, on a length, Tony Munyonga sets up to play the late dab but ends up miscuing it back towards the bowler.

Good running between the wickets. On a length, around middle and leg, Tony Munyonga taps it towards the vacant mid-wicket region and calls for two immediately. Safely completes it at the end.

Hurls it on a nagging length, on middle, Tony Munyonga gets on top of it and defends it solidly.

Again on the leg side, on a length, Sikandar Raza stays back and nudges it towards square leg for an easy single.

Wide! Janith Liyanage looks to have completely missed his radar this time. Bowls it wide outside the leg stump, on a length, Sikandar Raza fails to lay any bat on it. Wided!

Serves it on a good length, on middle, Tony Munyonga steps out and wrists it to the right of mid on for a single.

Drops it on a length, at the stumps line, Sikandar Raza steps down to play it to mid on and sets off for a quick single.

A wide to start off from Janith Liyanage! Bowls it on a length, but goes down the leg stump. Sikandar Raza misses the flick and a wide is given.

Outside off, on a back of a length, Raza cuts it to deep cover for one more.

Back of a length, around off, Sikandar Raza gets on his toes to chop it towards backward point.

Wide! Slower one, bowls into the pitch and keeps it outside off, Sikandar Raza watches it go over his head and the square leg umpire calls it a wide.

On a back of a length, on off, Raza punches it to cover.

Bangs it short and outside off, Sikandar Raza hops up to ride the bounce and shovels it across to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Short and outside off, Tony slaps it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Classic on-drive from Tony Munyonga! Dilshan Madushanka hones it on a fuller length and attacks the stumps. Tony Munyonga gets his body behind the line and knocks it past the mid on fielder to beat him on his left for four runs.

Sliding on with the arm, at the stumps, on a nagging length, Sikandar Raza keeps it out.

Lands it fuller and straighter at the stumps, Sikandar Raza nudges it across to the short fine leg fielder.

Attacks the stumps, on a length, Sikandar reaches out in front to push it to cover.

Keeps the line and length tight, full and around off, Sikandar Raza defends it off the front foot.

Short and outside off, Tony Munyonga punches it to deep point for a run.

Bowls it on a nagging length on off, Sikandar Raza pushes it off the front foot towards backward point and runs a single.

And again! Dilshan Madushanka bends his back and gets a good lift off the deck, over middle, Tony Munyonga rises to get on top of the bounce. Looks to fend it down but the ball kicks up to catch the shoulder of the bat. Luckily for him, the ball drops well in front of backward point.

Surprises the batter with a good bumper, at the bodyline. Tony Munyonga just manages to keep it down towards backward point.

Very full, outside off, Tony Munyonga squeezes it out to the right of deep third and collects a couple of runs.

On a nagging length, outside off, Tony Munyonga shoulders arms.

On a good length, on the off stump, Tony Munyonga pats it down with a straight bat.

This is on good length and cuts back sharply into the batter, around middle. Sikandar Raza hops up and manages to gets some bat on it as the ball rolls down to backward point. A single is taken.

Fired in shorter and quicker, on middle, Raza drops his bat down on the ball and ekes out an inside edge towards backward square leg for one.

Errs in the line, does Maheesh Theekshana. Bowls it on a fuller length and outside the leg stump, Sikandar Raza gets down to paddle it fine, but hits with the backside of the bat. The ball races behind the keeper towards third man, and Nishan Madushka gives it a chase to stop it before the boundary cushions. The batter runs two in the meantime, and he might have hurt his left shoulder in the process.

A half-tracker, on middle, this stays a bit low but Tony adjusts well to pull it to deep square leg for a single.

Quicker and flatter at the stumps, Sikandar Raza swipes it across to square leg to change the strike.

Pushed through, short and on off, Sikandar Raza covers the line and defends.

Well bowled! Maheesh Theekshana serves it fuller and outside off, Sikandar Raza leans forward to drive it on the off side, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

OUT! TAKEN SUPERBLY! A fantastic catch from Asitha Fernando and this will surely lift the Lankans even more. Dilshan Madushanka bangs this one into the pitch, just outside off. Wessly Madhevere cannot stop himself and tries to ramp it away. He connects well, but unfortunately, the ball flies straight towards third man. Fernando runs forward a long way and grabs it with both hands, inches above the ground, with a dive. The third umpire checks a few replays, and he is convinced that the fingers are underneath the ball. You just cannot keep Asitha out of this game. Zimbabwe lose half their side now!

Lands it full and outside off, Wessly Madhevere drives it off the front foot to beat the backward point fielder on his right for two more runs. The deep point fielder runs hard towards his left and saves a couple of runs.

Fuller and angling into the pads, Sikandar Raza clips it away to deep mid-wicket for one.

Too full and straight at the stumps, Sikandar Raza takes the stride forward and plays it down with a straight bat and beats the diving mid on fielder on his left for a couple of runs. The mid off fielder chases it down and cuts it across.

Back of a length and around off, Sikandar Raza bunts it down the pitch.

Over the wicket. On a length, pushed across the right-hander and around off. Sikandar Raza hops up and keeps it down near the deck.

FOUR! Spoils the over a bit! Tossed up, full and on off, Wessly Madhevere comes down the track but stays leg side of the ball. He opens the bat face slightly and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary.

Flatter and at the stumps, Sikandar Raza sits down and swipes it across to deep square leg for a single.

Quicker one, full and on middle, Sikandar Raza stays back and blocks it out.

Fuller in length, and drops it in front of the stumps. Wessly Madhevere gets behind the line to sweep it fine towards fine leg for a single.

Shorter in length and on middle, Sikandar Raza heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 150 up for Zimbabwe!

Spears it full and outside off, Sikandar Raza plays it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

Pitched up and on middle and off, Wessly Madhevere blocks it out solidly.

Good length, around middle and leg, cuts back into the batter. Wessly Madhevere looks to play the flick shot on the leg side, but wears it on the pads.

Back of a length and on off, Wessly Madhevere dabs it out to point.

Angles into the right-hander, keeps it on a length and around middle. Sikandar Raza prods forward as the ball catches the inside edge and rolls down to square leg for a single.

Good length and on off, holds its line, Sikandar Raza gets squared up as the ball goes off the leading edge past point and towards deep third man. The fielder takes his eyes off the ball, trying to pick it up early and fumbles, allowing an extra run.

In-between length, on off, Sikandar Raza watches it to make a leave.

Quicker, full and on leg, Sikandar Raza swipes it away through square leg for one.

On the shorter side and at the stumps, Sikandar Raza gets back to play it across and beats the short mid-wicket fielder on his right for a brace.

WIDE! Darts one full and on leg, Sikandar Raza goes down to swipe it away but misses. Kusal Mendis, the keeper lets it through his legs but no harm done.

Shortish and on leg, Sikandar Raza nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Drops it full and around off, Wessly Madhevere knocks it down to long on for a single.

Quicker, short and almost skids through, on middle, Wessly Madhevere just about gets his bat down to keep it out.

Bowls it full and keeps it outside off, skids a bit. Sikandar Raza brings his bat down in time to block that out.

Pitched up and on middle, Wessly Madhevere steps across and tucks it to mid-wicket.

OUT! CAUGHT! Asitha Fernando gets the big wicket of Ben Curran! Asitha Fernando runs in from around the wicket and bangs the hard length, around off. Ben Curran, who had been playing the short balls well until now, looks to pull this one again. But the ball climbs and hits him high on the bat and he ends up lobbing a simple catch towards mid on. Dushmantha Chameera, stationed over there, completes the formalities.

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Sikandar Raza rides the bounce and tucks it to the right of short mid-wicket and calls for the run. Curran is a bit late to take off, but the fielder misses his shy at the batter's end.

Fullish length and outside off, Sikandar Raza leans forward to drive it towards covers.

Fuller and on off, shaping in, Sikandar Raza looks to defend but gets an inside edge towards square leg.

Bowls a slower one, keeps it on a length and around off. Ben Curran drops it in front of mid on and sets off for a quick single.

Quicker, full and on middle, Ben Curran works it to long on for one more. 13 runs off the over!

Flighted, full and on off, Sikandar Raza drives it to long off for one.

FOUR! Easy picking! Fires this one full but down the leg side. Sikandar Raza just has to get some bat on that one. He goes down and paddles it away nicley to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Short again and on middle and leg, Ben Curran swipes it away to deep square leg for a single.

Goes short and around leg, Ben Curran nudges it with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. Good running this time!

FOUR! Powered away! A half-tracker, on off, a hit-me ball really. Ben Curran stays deep inside his crease and uses his shoulder strength to thump it to the long off fence for a boundary.

Short of a length and outside off, Sikandar Raza slashes hard at it but fails to connect.

Back of a length and on middle, Ben Curran pulls it to deep square leg for a single. A bit of hesitation again between the batters for the second, and they settle for one.

On a length and on middle, Ben Curran fends it down the pitch.

Risky running! Pitched up and on middle and leg, Ben Curran clips it towards mid-wicket and sets off for the run. He stops for a bit and then starts again but Raza is not at all interested and sends him back. The fielder picks up and has a shy at the batter's end but misses. Curran would have been safe anyway.

Fuller and on middle, Ben Curran drills it straight back to the bowler.

Good length and on middle, straightens a bit, Ben Curran looks to work it across the line but gets a leading edge towards cover-point.

Fires one full and on middle, Ben Curran drills it to long on for one. End of an eventful over!

FOUR! Short and punished! Dragged down and around middle, begging to be put away. Ben Curran rocks back quickly and pulls it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ben Curran strides out and blocks it out.

Short and on off, Sikandar Raza punches it to long off for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! The plan works for Sri Lanka, and Kamindu Mendis breaks the huge 118-run stand. He tosses it up, full and on middle, inviting the batter to sweep, and there is protection in the deep as well. Sean Williams obliges and goes down to play that shot but just fails to get the elevation. He hits it straight towards deep square leg, where Asitha Fernando does not have to move an inch and takes the catch nicely. Williams walks back for 57 off 54, and Zimbabwe are 118/3!

WIDE! Fires one full but down the leg side, Sean Williams fails to flick it away but misses. Wided.

FOUR! Fine shot! Floated, full and on middle, Sean Williams stays deep inside his crease. He picks up the length early and heaves it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Length ball, on off, Ben Curran guides it to point.

Beaten again! Back of a length and on middle, takes off a bit, Ben Curran backs away to steer it through point but the ball zips past the outside edge. Both times he has tried this shot, it has not worked for him. Wonder what Williams is thinking at the other end, after having a chat earlier in the over.

FOUR! Short of a length and on middle and leg, Ben Curran quickly rides the bounce and pulls it with disdain through square leg for a boundary.

Touch fuller and on off, Ben Curran taps it to covers.

Fine bowling! Follows the batter and lands this on a hard length, on leg, gets some extra bounce. Ben Curran uses his feet to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge. Williams goes up to Ben and has a word. He is not happy with that shot selection from his partner.

Good length and on middle, Ben Curran blocks it out.

Fuller and on off, knocked to deep cover for a single.

Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Ben Curran tucks it to mid-wicket.

Quicker, short and on leg, Sean Williams works it through square leg for one more.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR WILLIAMS NOW! A captain's knock under pressure. Tossed up, full and on middle and leg. Sean Williams skips down the track and lofts it to the long on fence for a boundary. He knows that the job is not done yet and will want to make it a big one.

FIFTY FOR CURRAN! A huge applause from the crowd, and this has been a gritty knock from the opener. Floated, full and on leg, Ben Curran clips it through square leg for a single. He raises his bat to soak in the applause.

WIDE! Flatter, shortish and angling down the leg, Ben Curran moves across to paddle-scoop it but misses. Kusal Mendis does well to move to his right and collect it in two attempts. Appeals for it but, but it is given as a wide.

Short and on middle, Sean Williams heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slanting into the left-hander, on the shorter side, on the off stump, punched to point by Ben.

Bowls it fuller and keeps it around the stumps, Sean Williams strides forward and drives it firmly towards long off for a single. And with that single, the 100-RUN PARTNERSHIP is completed between the two batters.

SIX! BANG! Charith Asalanka gives a bit of air, on a length, on off, Sean Williams charges down the track and even though he does not get to the pitch of the ball, he swings through. Connects cleanly to deposit it over long off for a six.

Floated delivery, full and around off, turns away from the batter. Sean Williams blocks it out in the off side towards cover-point.

Sliding into the left-hander, full in length, Ben whips it to long on and crosses over.

Loops it up, fuller and around middle, Ben Curran works that towards short fine leg.

At the stumps, on a length, Sean Williams keeps it out.

On a nagging length, outside off, Sean Williams prods forward and plays it to covers.

FOUR! Agricultural but effective! Slower through the air and in the arc of the batter, on middle, on the fuller side. Sean Williams clears his front leg and smears it aerially to the left of mid-wicket for a boundary.

Too full and the line is straight at the stumps, Ben Curran digs that out past the bowler towards long on and takes a run.

Targets the front pad, on a length, Ben Curran is solid in defence.

Tad short and around middle, Ben Curran stays behind to place it to the left of mid-wicket for a brace. The deep square leg fielder runs hard to his right and cuts it off.

FOUR! Nicely done! Speared in full and on off, Sean Williams gets across and down on a knee. Rolls his wrists over the ball to control the sweep and hits it to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

Shortish length and straight at the stumps, Ben Curran flat-bats it past the bowler to long on for a single.

Offers flight, fuller and slower, on off, driven to cover.

Touch shorter, outside off, Ben Curran gets on his toes to punch it towards the right of covers, who makes a dive and stops it there.

Charith drops it short, around off, Ben Curran makes room and hits it firmly to the right of cover. The deep point fielder runs to his left and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Starts off with a full delivery, keeps the line at the stumps, Ben Curran knocks it back towards the bowler.

Darted in by going wide on the crease, on a length, on the off pole, Sean Williams blocks it out off the front foot.

Spears it full and at the stumps, Sean Williams pushes it back to the bowler.

Keeps it nice and tight, slightly fuller, on off, Ben Curran wrists it through square leg for a single.

A loud appeal for LBW, but the umpire remains unmoved and NOT OUT given. Maheesh Theekshana is disappointed. Bowls it from wide of the crease, keeps it short and angles into the batter, a bit quicker. Ben Curran doesn't move his feet and looks to tuck that away on the leg side, but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball pings on the back pad. Looked straight and Curran has got away with one here.

Coming in with the arm from around the wicket, on a nagging length, on middle, Ben Curran flicks it to mid-wicket.

Serves it fuller, around middle and leg, Sean Williams leans on the drive and plays it towards long on for an easy single.

So nearly sneaked through! Fractionally short, on the off stump, Sean swivels to pull it away but the ball stays low and catches the inside edge. Rolls down to deep fine leg for a single.

Back-of-a-length delivery, on off, Ben Curran gets on his toes nicely to punch it towards deep point for a single.

Beaten! Fuller in length, moving away from the batter. No foot movement at all from Ben as he pokes at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Wide! Dilshan Madushanka finds some good away shape, on a good length but it swings beyond the tramline. Ben Curran lets it go.

Bowls the pace-off delivery. Hurls it on a full length and just outside off, Sean Williams mistimes the drive to mid on, but manages to take a quick single.

On the off stump, on a good length, Sean Williams dabs it to backward point.

Dilshan Madushanka drops it on a shorter length, around off, Ben Curran stays deep inside the crease to swipe that across towards the right of deep fine leg for a single.

Short and a hint of turn, outside off, Ben Curran punches it to deep cover for a single.

Bowls a bit quicker, shorter and keeps it around the stumps, Ben Curran stays behind to work it towards short fine leg.

Flat and short, on off, Ben Curran taps the ball on its head and guides it to short third.

Goes fuller and attacks the stumps, Sean Williams lunges forward to drive past the diving cover fielder on his left for a single.

Short and on off, Ben punches it to long on for a single.

Floated, full and around off, Ben Curran knocks it towards short mid-wicket with ease.

Beaten! In the channel on off, on a good length, Sean Williams has a feel for the delivery and is lucky not to nick this one behind.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Sean Williams! This is poor bowling from Dilshan Madushanka. Sticks around the shorter length and errs in the line, this time. Bowls it around the hips, and Sean Williams gets inside the line to whip that across towards deep fine leg for four runs.

Short and wide on off, glided down to deep third for a single.

On the shorter side again, but the line is towards the leg stump. Sean Williams gets cramped for the pull shot and plays it towards fine leg for a single.

What happened there? On a good length, around the off stump, Ben Curran walks across early and has to adjust to the line and length. Shovels it in the air but luckily for him, he does not time it well or else it would have gone straight down the throat of deep fine leg. Maheesh Theekshana in the deep realises that going for the catch is not an option and he lets the ball bounce in front. Dilshan Madushanka is not pleased with the effort but the decision made by Theekshana does seem to be the right one.

Short of a length, around middle and leg, Ben Curran stays back to ride the bounce and pulls it across to the left of short mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Goes wide on the crease and pushes it through, short and on middle, Sean Williams waits back to tap it out.

Bowls it full and outside off, Ben Curran prods forward and knocks it down to long on for a single.

Looped up, full and on middle, Sean Williams drills it down the ground. It is cut off by a dive to his right by the mid on fielder. A single taken.

SIX! Sean Williams takes the aerial route! Maheesh Theekshana drops it full and at the stumps, right at the hitting arc. Sean Williams gets down on his knees and clobbers it over the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie.

Slower through the air, fuller in length, on middle and leg, Sean Williams blocks it out.

Tossed up delivery on off, Sean Williams defends it off the front foot.

Goes short, over middle, Ben Curran hops and taps it beside the strip on the off side.

FOUR! Smart batting from Ben Curran! Dushmantha Chameera pulls his length back and keeps it around off. Ben Curran stays on the leg side and guides it to the right of diving third man for four more runs.

FOUR! Have some of that, says Ben Curran! Chameera lands it on a length, around off, Ben steps out and extends his hands to firm the drive back past the bowler for a boundary.

Bangs it on a good length, angled into the left-hander, on off, Ben Curran blocks it out solidly off the front foot.

Chameera goes short, on middle, Sean Williams pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera bowls it fuller and outside off, inviting the batter for the drive. Ben Curran looks to drive that away on the off side, but the ball flies off the outside edge towards third man, who does well to run to his right and make the stop. Just one run.

Full and attacking the front pad, Sean Williams brings his bat out in front to block.

Bowls it much straighter, full and around off, Ben Curran works it towards square leg and takes a single.

Sliding across, short in length, Ben Curran stabs it down on the off side.

FOUR! Put away with ease! Maheesh Theekshana dishes out a low full toss at the pads. Ben Curran goes down and paddles it to the left of short fine leg for four runs.

Pushed through, pitched outside leg, on a length, Ben Curran misses out on the flick and wears it on the front pad. Half a shout for LBW but that has pitched outside the line.

Starts off with a full-length delivery and keeps the line at the stumps. Ben Curran pushes it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

On a length and on middle, Sean Williams stays on the leg stump and pats it to cover-point.

Nip-backer from Dushmantha Chameera! Dushmantha Chameera goes around the wicket, and drops it on length, around middle and leg. Sean Williams is late on his shot making and gets pinged on the pads.

Hard length and around leg, Ben Curran flicks it away nicely wide of deep square leg for a single. The two was on there, but the batters settle for one.

Ben Curran looking to go big but misses it completely. Moves away on the leg side to create some room and looks to play that on the off side, but Dushmantha Chameera bangs it short and wide outside off.

Fuller and on middle and leg, Ben Curran tucks it to mid-wicket.

Dilshan Madushanka serves it on a full length and just outside off, Ben Curran brings out the drive. Doesn't get the required connection but gets the gap between covers and mid off for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Good length and around off, not that full for a drive but Sean Williams makes it look easy. He plays it on the up and with pure timing, caresses it through covers. The ball teases the fielder all the way through and wins the race to the fence.

Sloppy in the field from Sri Lanka! Pace-off delivery from Dilshan Madushanka. Drops it outside off, on a length, Sean Williams chops it to backward point, where the fielder overruns to his right and the ball gallops past him for a couple of runs.

Much fuller and on middle, Sean Williams drives it to mid off.

Sean Williams would have felt lucky on this occasion! Dilshan Madushanka keeps it fullish on off and gets the back to shape towards the batter a bit. Sean Williams tries to drive that away on the off side, but gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and rolls towards short fine leg.

Pitched up and outside off, Sean Williams throws his bat at it but gets an inside edge wide of fine leg. The fielder runs to his left to pick it up and throws it back to the keeper. It is a bit wide, and the keeper fails to collect it cleanly, and Williams makes his ground for the second. A better throw was needed there.

Hurls it fuller and around the stumps, Sean Williams flicks that away straight to short mid-wicket.

Beaten! Hard-length delivery around off, shaping away, Ben Curran tries to play it from his crease but gets beaten on the outside edge.

This is a good-length delivery, cuts back enough to hit Ben on the thigh, as he look to tuck that away on the leg side.

Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Ben Curran ducks under it.

Dushmantha Chameera follows up with a beauty! Drops it full and around off, a hint of seam movement off the surface as Ben Curran hangs his bat away from the body and gets beaten on the outside edge comprehensively.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Dushmantha Chameera sees the batter charge and serves this full and on leg, following the batter a bit. Ben Curran tries to drive it through covers but gets an inside edge that races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

On a nagging length, just outside off, Ben Curran trusts the bounce and makes the leave.

Back of a length and outside off, Sean Williams punches it to extra covers.

On a length, shapes into the pads, Sean Williams looks to turn that away on square leg, but wears it on the thigh pad.

Slower, on a length and around leg, Ben Curran flicks it to deep square leg for another run.

Good bouncer from Asitha Fernando this time. Bangs it short, around the off stump with some pace behind it. Ben Curran does well to duck under it.

Hard length and angling into the leg side, Sean Williams works it off his gloves through square leg for a run.

Good running between the wickets. Asitha Fernando bowls it on a good length, outside off and Ben Curran steps out to play it in front of mid off to take a quick single.

Just short! Good length and around off, Sean Williams drives it on the up and fails to keep it down. However, it just drops in front of the diving short cover fielder.

Goes shorter and straighter this time, around the stumps. Sean Williams sets himself to play the pull shot, but the ball stays low to go under his blade.

Pitched up and on off, Sean Williams drills it to mid off.

Not in control this time. Dushmantha Chameera serves it on the fuller length and going across the left-hander. Ben Curran drives it away from the body, as the ball catches the outside edge and travels towards third man for a single.

Beaten! Fuller and around off, angling away with a bit of extra bounce. Ben Curran throws his bat at it but misses. Kusal Mendis, the keeper, collects it around his chest. Good carry!

Starts off with a fuller and wider delivery, outside off. Ben Curran watches the ball and lets it go alone.

Hard length and on off, takes off sharply, Ben Curran looks to play at it but the ball catches the shoulder of the bat and goes towards third man for one more.

In the air...SAFE! Good bouncer, on middle and leg, takes off a bit. Sean Williams looks to pull but gets a top edge. The ball flies in the air wide of fine leg, where Dilshan Madushanka does well to move to his right to stop it with his right hand. Just one.

Much fuller and on middle and off, Sean Williams knocks it to mid off.

Short of a length and on leg, Ben Curran gets cramped up and just helps it towards fine leg for a single.

Fuller and on middle, Ben Curran drives it to mid on.

Back of a length and just around off, Ben Curran lets it go.

Play and a miss! Pitches it up and around off again, gets it to move away. Sean Williams gets drawn into a big booming drive only to get beaten on the outside edge. Lucky not to get an edge there.

Pulls his length back a bit and around off, shaping away, Sean Williams does not play a shot at it.

WIDE! Dilshan Madushanka responds with a bumper but angles into the leg side, Sean Williams ducks under it.

FOUR! Classy! A bit too full this time, on middle, Sean Williams allows it to come to him. He presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously back past the bowler and to the long off fence for a boundary.

Lovely delivery! Goes fuller and on middle, hits the deck and then shapes away. Sean Williams gets stuck in his crease and just hangs his bat away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller and on middle, Ben Curran tucks it in front of short mid-wicket and scampers across for a single.

Back of a length and just outside off, Ben Curran leaves it alone.

Hard length and middle and off, Sean Williams has no room to work with and stabs it out to short covers.

Pitched up and on leg, Sean Williams clips it to the left of square leg and wants the run but is sent back and rightly so.

On a length and on off, Ben Curran pats it towards mid off and calls early to get a quick single.

Back of a length and on off, holds its line, Ben Curran watches it through and leaves it alone.

Pitched up and around off, Ben Curran drills it to short covers.

Full and on off, Sean Williams drives it firmly to short covers, who gets a hand on it but parries it behind. A single taken.

FOUR! First runs off the bat! Much fuller and a bit outside off, Ben Curran this time leans on to his drive nicely and creams it through cover-point for a boundary.

Action replay! Pitched up and just around off, shapes away, Ben Curran gets across but then lifts his bat and lets it go.

Sticks with the fuller length and on the sixth stump line, moving away from the left-hander, Ben Curran does not get tempted and offers no shot.

Goes fuller and on off, shaping away again, Ben Curran leaves it alone. Madushanka is getting the ball to move here.

Back of a length and around off, gets it to shape away a long way, Ben Curran thinks about going after it but decides against it.

Dilshan Madushanka begins with a good-length delivery, on middle, Ben Curran gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Fullish and on off, Sean Williams looks to push it away but gets a bottom edge towards mid on. Just two extras and two big wickets in the first over.

Goes fuller again and on off, Sean Williams drives it to mid off.

WIDE! And again! Pitched up and on middle, shaping into leg, Sean Williams fails to glance it away. Wided again.

WIDE! Zimbabwe gets underway with extras! Fuller one but down the leg side, Sean Williams misses his flick. Wided.

OUT! TAKEN! Soft dismissal and Brendan Taylor also go back without troubling the scorers. Asitha Fernando hits the length hard and keeps it away from the batter. Taylor stays in his crease and tries to punch it away. Maybe due to his finger injury earlier, he does not get enough power on the shot. It lobs straight to cover, where Kamindu Mendis takes a good catch above his head. Zimbabwe are two down and in early trouble here!

BEATEN! Good-length delivery, on the fifth stump line, shaping away again, Brendan Taylor has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and outside off, shapes away, Brendan Taylor leaves it alone.

OUT! TAKEN! How about that for a start? Asitha Fernando strikes on the first ball. He bangs this into the pitch and just around off. Brian Bennett gets himself in a hot mess. He is in no position to play the pull shot but still goes through it just with his hands, with his feet going nowhere. He gets hurried, and the ball takes the top edge and goes up in the air. Sadeera Samarawickrama at point settles under it and pouches it safely. Bennett goes back for a golden duck, and Zimbabwe are 0/1!