Twitter Reactions: Zimbabwe tighten grip on Lanka amidst rain-delays

The second Test at the Harare Sports Club has been constantly marred with rain. However, despite the constant interruptions, Zimbabwe are still in with a realistic chance of beating Dimuth Karunaratne’s Sri Lanka and drawing level in the series. At the close of play on the fourth day, the hosts are leading by a significant 354 runs with three wickets left in the second innings.

Taylor dominates Lanka

In the first session, Zimbabwe scored 117 runs in 33.1 overs. Prince Masvaure (35) and Brendan Taylor (67) steadied the ship with a stand of 47 runs. A terrible mix-up between the duo led to Masvaure’s run-out. Timycen Maruma toiled hard for 14 balls and got out for a duck. Lasith Embuldeniya got him stumped. At the other end, Taylor again came out with a positive intent.

He smacked eight fours and a six off 75 deliveries to keep a strike-rate of 89.33. To his dismay, a few overs before the lunch session, Lahiru Kumara got rid of the big fish. Taylor was unhappy and showed his bat to the umpire, but he had to make his way back to the pavilion. The lead had already extended to 292 with Zimbabwe still having some batting firepower lower down the order.

Williams still in the middle

The last couple of sessions were mostly about rain playing constant hide and seek. To start with, Sikandar Raza (34) and skipper Sean Williams (47*) put their heads down and got the innings going. The pair raised their 50-run stand off a mere 67 balls even as the Lankan bowlers were helplessly trying to separate them. The duo eventually went on to cobble together a stand of 70 vital runs.

Vishwa Fernando gave Lanka a breather after trapping Raza in front. Suranga Lakmal castled Tinotenda Mutombodzi castled and tried to bring the game in the visitors’ favour. Nevertheless, the skipper held his ground until the close of play. With Zimbabwe already having a decent lead and chances of rain on day five, it will be interesting to see when the skipper decides to declare the innings.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted to the day’s play:-