Craig Ervine’s unbeaten 151 leads Zimbabwe recovery vs Sri Lanka

Craig Ervine rescued Zimbabwe’s innings after the middle-order bat scored an unbeaten 151 on the first day of the lone Test vs Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Craig Ervine hit an unbeaten 151 for his highest score as Zimbabwe recovered from a shaky start to reach 344 for eight at stumps against hosts Sri Lanka on the opening day of the one-off test at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Zimbabwe cricketer Craig Ervine (L) celebrates after scoring a century during the first day of the one-off Test against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 14. (AFP)

READ | Chris Gayle keen on owning Indian Super League team

Sri Lanka’s spin spearhead Rangana Herath struck early as Zimbabwe were reduced to 38-3 after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

But left-handed Ervine, who hit his second test hundred, compiled two half-century partnerships with Sikandar Raza (36) and Malcolm Waller (36) to lead the fightback for Zimbabwe, who beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in the recent one-day international series.

READ | Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed says Test captaincy is challenging but will get easier

Left-arm spinner Herath finished as the most successful bowler with four wickets for 106 Sri Lanka, who were playing the first match under new test captain Dinesh Chandimal.