Craig Ervine's century lifts Zimbabwe out of trouble against Sri Lanka

Batsman Craig Ervine hit an unbeaten 151 to pull Zimbabwe out of trouble on the opening day of their one-off Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday

Zimbabwe's Craig Ervine celebrates after scoring a ton v Sri Lanka during Day One of the one-off Test at Colombo yesterday. Pic/AFP

Batsman Craig Ervine hit an unbeaten 151 to pull Zimbabwe out of trouble on the opening day of their one-off Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday.

Ervine's career-best effort lifted Zimbabwe from a precarious 70-4 to 344-8 at stumps. Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Rangana Herath took four wickets. The left-handed batsman held on with Donald Tiripano (24 not out) at the end of play, putting on a frustrating 62-run stand for the ninth wicket.

Ervine, who surpassed his previous Test best of 146 against New Zealand in Bulawayo last year, built crucial partnerships including a 84-run fifth-wicket stand with Sikandar Raza (36).

It was the 31-year-old's second Test ton in the 12th Test of his seven-year-old international career. He swept Herath for a single to achieve the feat.

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