The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
CRAIG Ervine scored a century to guide Zimbabwe to 228/6 on an evenly balanced Day One of the only Test cricket match against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Dhaka yesterday.
Ervine, playing the match as stand in skipper in the absence of captain Sean Williams made 107 off 227 balls, struck 13 fours before he fell just before the close of play on the opening day. The left handed Ervine put on 111 for the second wicket with Prince Masvaure who scored 64 runs.
Zimbabwe did not have such a great start after winning the toss with their opening partnership of Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza only produced seven runs before the latter fell to Nayeem Hasan. While wickets kept falling Ervine stood firm to get to his third century in the longest format of the game. Just when Zimbabwe were looking to him to carry on, Ervine departed four balls eight before the end of the day’s play, bowled by Hasan to become the off spinner’s fourth wicket of the innings.
Regis Chakabva and Donald Tiripano were the two batsmen at the crease at the close of play. The match goes into Day Two this morning with Zimbabwe looking to add to their overnight score. Pace bowler, Charlton Tshuma is making his Test debut and a lot is expected from the Bulawayo born seamer with ball in hand. — @Mdawini_29
