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Harare: Dhananjaya de Silva scored his second Test century to put Sri Lanka in control of the second and final Test against Zimbabwe after the first day at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
De Silva came to the wicket with Sri Lanka struggling on 112 for four, but showed greater application than Sri Lanka's top order as he put on 143 for the fifth wicket with Upul Tharanga before finishing unbeaten on 100.
The tourists closed the day on 290 for five, and were equally grateful for Tharanga's 79.
Both batsmen were willing to be patient as they orchestrated the recovery, after the collapse had largely come about through some reckless batting by the top order.
Zimbabwe's search for wickets at the top of the innings was hampered by fast bowler Carl Mumba limping off after the first over, and when Sri Lanka's openers preyed on some inconsistent bowling to advance to 62 without loss it appeared as though the hosts faced a long day in the field.
With Mumba off the field receiving medical treatment, Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer was forced to turn to part-time seamer Hamilton Masakadza inside the first hour, but after the drinks break Masakadza made an unexpected breakthrough.
First, Dimuth Karunaratne guided an innocuous delivery to gully to depart for 26, and in Masakadza's next over, Kusal Perera's decision to attack the seamer from the get-go brought about his downfall as he holed out to long-on.
Mumba was able to return to the field soon after, but it was fellow fast bowler Chris Mpofu who struck before lunch when he trapped Kaushal Silva lbw for 37.
Sri Lanka, who won the first Test by 225 runs, lost four wickets inside 28 overs after they lost the toss and were inserted by Zimbabwe, before the partnership between De Silva and Tharanga pulled them back into the match.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka - 290 for 5 (Dhananjaya 100*, Tharanga 79, Masakadza 2-18)
