VETERAN fast bowler Eddo Brandes took 3-29 on his return to test cricket to help Zimbabwe reduce Sri Lanka to 159-7 when bad light ended play 11 overs early on the second day of the third test on Sunday. Zimbabwe had earlier been bowled out for 218. Opener Russel Arnold was holding the Sri Lanka innings together with a disciplined 65 not out compiled over more than four-and-a-half hours. But the limelight belonged to Brandes, 36, playing his first test in three years. Sunday’s haul were his first wickets at this level for nearly four years. Zimbabwe had resumed on 178-8 and they were dismissed 10.4 overs into the day’s play having added 40 runs. Bryan Strang’s spirited 28 was one of the main reasons Zimbabwe reached over 200 in an innings that once teetered on 83-5. Paceman Pushpakumara finished on 5-56 with left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas taking 4-56. Sri Lanka, who slipped to 4-2 early on and then 29-3, were in some trouble before Arnold and Tillekaratne Dilshan stood firm in a fourth-wicket stand of 53. Dilshan hit eight fours in an aggressive 37 before edging a delivery from left-arm seamer Strang to wicketkeeper Andy Flower. Sri Lanka were 112-5 at tea, but Arnold and Indika de Saram shared 68 runs in a stabilising sixth-wicket partnership before De Saram slashed a wide delivery from Guy Whittall to Grant Flower at point to be out for 38.
RESULTS
ROTHMANS CUP
Saturday. Semi-final, first leg: Free State Stars 1 (Bunene Ngaduane 75) Manning Rangers 1 (Isaac Kungoane 74)
December 7 – Second leg, Chatsworth Stadium. Winners play Sundowns in final on December 11
CASTLE PREMIERSHIP
Thursday. At Athlone Stadium: Mother City 1 (Treswell Overmeyer 8) Classic 2 (Collin Mthunzi 30, Lincoln Mackett 90)
Friday. At Bellevue Stadium: Ajax Cape Town 0 Wits University 0.
Saturday. At FNB Stadium: Orlando Pirates 5 (Dennis Lota 55, 85, Steve Lekoelea 8, Sibusiso Zuma 23, Thabo Mngomeni 42) Moroka Swallows 0. At Kings Park: African Wanderers 2 (Mandla Mathebula 70, Joseph Leepo 84) Jomo Cosmos 1 (Colin Tlemo 88).
Sunday. At Absa Stadium: AmaZulu 0 Kaizer Chiefs 2 (Siyabonga Nomvete 8, 14); At Loftus Stadium: Sundowns 4 (Isaac Shai 33, 53, Daniel Mudau 15, Sibongakonke Ndlovu 66) SuperSport United 1 (Raymond Seopa 76); At Free State Stadium: Bloemfontein Celtic 4 Santos 2
ENGLAND TO CONSIDER BOTHAM AS SELECTOR
IAN Botham could be appointed England’s fourth selector after a meeting in London this week, England Cricket Board chairman Lord MacLaurin confirmed on Sunday. Botham, the former England all-rounder who currently acts as part-time observer, was quoted as saying he would be delighted to get the job. Botham told newspapers that “if they want me as a selector, I would love to do the job.”