Jayasuriya makes 92 as Sri Lanka close on 211-3

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya hit a patient 92 to help his side to a commanding 211 for three at the close of a rain-affected opening day in the first Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday.

The not out batsmen when bad light and then heavy rain forced play to finish 16.4 overs early were Kumara Sangakkara, on 62, and Russel Arnold, on four.

The left-handed Jayasuriya, normally a dashing batsman, reined in his usual aggressive approach but still managed to stroke 16 fours in 164 balls after four hours at the crease.

He was finally dismissed in the 55th over of the day, caught behind off the glove as he attempted to sweep the occasional off-spin of Trevor Gripper.

Jayasuriya survived one sharp chance on 33 when he edged paceman Heath Streak behind but wicket-keeper Andy Flower, diving to his right, was unable to take the catch.

He had completed his 20th Test fifty with a late cut for one to third man during the afternoon session, his half-century including 10 fours in 98 balls.

Jayasuriya and fellow opener Marvan Atapattu threatened to lay the platform for a substantial total as they put on 78 for the first wicket.

But Atapattu, dropped on 21, was caught behind down the legside for 25 after edging a delivery from Streak.

PART-TIME SPIN

Jayasuriya and Sangakkara then added a further 72 for the second wicket, in 22 overs either side of tea, before the Sri Lanka captain was removed by Gripper's part-time spin.

Gripper, who was to end the day with a return of two for 35, struck again just six overs later when Mahela Jayawardene, on 18, was brilliantly caught by Zimbabwe captain Stuart Carlisle at wide mid-on.

The Sri Lankan openers made the most of ideal batting conditions on a flat pitch after Carlisle had surprisingly opted to field first.

The visitors were handicapped, however, by a marginal umpiring decision that went against them early in the morning session.

Atapattu, on one, fended at a short-pitched ball from Streak which appeared to hit his pad and then the inside edge of his bat.

The ball lobbed into the air and Hamilton Masakadza, diving forward at forward short-leg, took the catch with his right hand, only for umpire Peter Manuel to rule in favour of the batsman.

Atapattu, on 21, then survived a simple chance to Masakadza at midwicket after on-driving Streak uppishly with the Sri Lanka total on 54.

Mail Cricket Editor