Tharanga celebrates after scoring his second Test century and first since 2006

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Upul Tharanga scored a brilliant century as Sri Lanka continued to dominate Zimbabwe on the second day of the first Test in Harare.

Starting off the day on 317/4, Sri Lanka lost Dhananjaya de Silva for 25 before Tharanga and debutant Asela Gunaratne put together a 99-run partnership, during which both batsman surpassed their half-centuries, before Gunaratne was dismissed by Sean Williams for 54 off 102 balls, which included eight boundaries.

Gunaratne made a half-century on debut

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka began to lose wickets at regular intervals after Gunaratne’s departure, but Tharanga continued to take the attack to Zimbabwe and put as many runs on the board as he could.

In the end, Sri Lanka ended up being bowled out for 537, but Tharanga remain stranded on 110 not out, which came off 208 deliveries and included 10 boundaries.

Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Chris Mpofu snapped up two and Williams, Malcolm Waller and debutant Carl Mumba chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Trailing by 537 runs, the hosts lost opener Brian Chari early on as he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Sri Lanka stand-in captain Rangana Herath for five runs.

Tino Mawoyo and Hamilton Masakadza made up for the early loss of Chari with an unbeaten 67-run partnership before stumps was called.

Mawoyo finished on 41 off 74 balls, which included six boundaries, while Masakadza also struck six boundaries during his knock of 33, which came off 50 deliveries.

Herath was the only bowler to take a wicket.

Zimbabwe ended day two on 88/1 and will continue batting on Monday at 10:00 local time or 08:00 GMT.