Kusal Mendis struck a measured 80 as Sri Lanka reached 205 for three at tea on the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Harare on Tuesday. It was a hard sweat for the Sri Lanka batsmen who still trailed Zimbabwe by 153 at tea with their captain Angelo Mathews unbeaten on a painstaking 51.
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The 24-year-old Mendis struck eight boundaries in his 163-ball innings before flashing at an outswinger from debutant Victor Nyauchi that flew to Brendan Taylor at first slip.
It marked a second success for Nyauchi who collected his first wicket in Test cricket during the morning session when Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne flicked a low catch to Ainsley Ndlovu at midwicket.
Nyauchi was the pick of the attack, taking two for 32 from 19 overs.
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Karunaratne had resumed his partnership with Kusal Mendis after bad light stopped Monday’s play with Sri Lanka on 42 for one.
{{/usCountry}}Karunaratne had resumed his partnership with Kusal Mendis after bad light stopped Monday’s play with Sri Lanka on 42 for one.
{{/usCountry}}They added 60 before Mathews joined Mendis in a third wicket partnership of 92.
Mathews hit three fours and towering six over midwicket off Ndlovu, bringing up his 50 from 154 balls.