OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Monday 4.45pm.
THE Zimbabwean fight-back against Sri Lanka has been cut short as bad light forced the players to leave the field on the third day of the final Test in Harare.
Zimbabwe were 48-2 in their second innings when the umpires called off play as dark clouds swept across the ground. In their first innings they scored 218 to which Sri Lanka replied with 231, a lead of 13.
The home side are 35 runs in credit but they have lost opening batsmen Grant Flower for 13 and Craig Wishart for nine in their second innings.
The day began with Sri Lanka on 159/7 and still 59 runs in arrears. But opening batsman Russel Arnold was still at the wicket with 65 and he moved on to 104 not out, well supported by the Lankan tail which helped him add 72 runs to the overnight score.
The other Sri Lanka opener, Marvan Atapattu, scored an undefeated double century against Zimbabwe in the second Test at Bulawayo and so Sri Lanka became the first touring side in Test history to have two opening batsmen carry their bats.
With unsettled weather now sweeping across Zimbabwe, the match may not be completed, an unfortunate situation for the home side who need the win to level the series 1-1. — AFP