Mathews steadies SL reply

Captain Angelo Mathews struck an unbeaten 92 as Sri Lanka posted 295 for four at the close of the third day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, putting his side in the driving seat at the Harare Sports Club.

Sri Lanka trail Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 358 by 63 runs, but have six wickets in hand to pass that on day four and leave their hosts likely needing to bat out their second innings to save the Test on what is a slow wicket.

Mathews has taken 253 balls on his way to what he hopes will be a 10th Test century and first in over a year.

Scores in brief

Zimbabwe: First innings 358

Sri Lanka: First innings 295 for 4 (Mathews 92 not out, Mendis 80, De Silva 42 not out, Karunaratne 37; Nyauchi 2-38)