Twitter Reactions: Sean Williams century outlines pleasing day for Zimbabwe

Following the 10-wicket drubbing in the opening Test, Zimbabwe haven’t lost heart by any means. The hosts have come out with a positive intent in their second match against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. At the close of the opening day’s play in Harare, the home team is at 352 for the loss of six wickets. Skipper Sean Williams has led from the front, churning out a sparkling century.

Taylor and Williams make hay

After electing to bat first, Zimbabwe lost a couple of early wickets. Even as Lahiru Kumara found Prince Masvaure’s outside-edge, Dhananjaya de Silva nipped out Craig Ervine. Kevin Kasuza and Brendan Taylor restored sanity into proceedings with a 65-run stand. Suranga Lakmal separated the duo, castling Kevin Kasuza’s woodwork. At the other end, veteran Taylor took the attacking route.

He scored a run-a-ball 62 with 10 fours and a six. Lakmal trapped him plumb in front to give Lanka a breather. From there, Williams and Sikandar Raza frustrated the visitors’ bowlers. The duo put forth a partnership of 159 runs for the fifth wicket. Both batters went at a strike-rate in excess of 70 and hardly looked out of sorts. They were looking good to go into Stumps without losing their wicket.

Raza and Williams take over

Raza notched his fifty off 79 balls. His non-striker, Williams accomplished his second Test century off 131 delivery. But then Thunder stroke at the wrong time. Lasith Embuldeniya got rid of Raza, who scored 72. The batsman tried to manufacture a pull shot, but couldn’t get his timing. Angelo Mathews, coming in from the long-on region, look a sharp low catch, tumbling forward.

To add insult to injury, Dhananjaya ripped Williams’ poles apart. The Zimbabwe skipper got 107 with 10 fours and three sixes. He went for a slog sweep and found his stumps go for a toss. Having lost Raza and Williams in quick succession, Zimbabwe were in danger of getting bowled out Regis Chakabva (31*) and Tinotenda Mutombodzi (10*) put their heads down and didn’t give their wickets.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to the day’s play: –