Chevrons lose to Sri Lanka by 4 wickets

Graeme Cremer dismissed both Sri Lanka’s overnight batsmen inside the first hour of play on day five, but a poor decision from the third umpire, and a 67-run stand between Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne ensured Sri Lanka remained in the hunt. At lunch, the hosts were 118 runs adrift of the target, with the last recognised batsmen at the crease.

Dickwella got lucky on 37 after wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva clipped the bails on Sikandar Raza’s off-spin, sending the stumping decision to the third umpire. Repeated replays showed the left-handed batsman had his toe on the crease – a case where the batsman should be given out, but India’s Chettithody Shamshuddin let Dickwella stay, much to the dismay of the Zimbabwe dressing room. That wicket would have left Sri Lanka at 237 for 6, and with a substantially diminished chance of avoiding defeat.

The pair scored at just under four an over through their 17 overs together, broke up the bowlers’ rhythm slightly, and prompted Zimbabwe to bring a seamer into the attack for the first time in the innings. Dickwella was the primary aggressor, often using his feet to the spinners, and getting away with several mis-hits. He reached his third Test half-century late in the session, and finished on 56 not out off 81 balls.

In the end, Sri Lanka managed to seal a historic chase, chasing down 388 with four wickets to spare on Tuesday (July 18). Dickwella’s 81 off 118 balls was worth its weight in gold, but Asela Gunaratne’s calm 80 was as, if not more, priceless. The pair’s 121-run stand was the catalyst in the victory, but Sri Lanka had made sure they were always positive about going for the total of 388, with all their batsmen in the line-up, barring Dinesh Chandimal (15), making vital contributions.