Sri Lanka outplay Zimbabwe

Suranga Lakmal took four for 27 to set up Sri Lanka for a 10-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first Test in Harare on Thursday.

Resuming on 30 without loss and needing 157 to make Sri Lanka bat again, Zimbabwe recovered from the loss of three early wickets to Lakmal to reach lunch at 120 for three.

The tall pace bowler struck again immediately after, removing Brendan Taylor for 38, and Zimbabwe slumped to 170 all out, losing their last seven wickets for 50.

Sri Lanka needed just 14 to win and the openers Oshada Fernando and Dimuth Karunaratne knocked off the runs in three overs.

Angelo Mathews was named man of the match for his 200 not out in Sri Lanka’s first innings of 515 for nine declared.

“I wanted to go for a biggy,” said Mathews after the game. “It was very slow going and they gave nothing away with their umbrella field.”

SCORES IN BRIEF

Zimbabwe: First innings 358 and second innings 170 (Williams 39, Taylor 38; Lakmal 4-27, Kumara 3-32, Embuldeniya 2-74)

Sri Lanka: First innings 515 for 9 declared and second innings14-0.

Result: Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Angelo Mathews.