Spin pair in command for Sri Lankans

Rain spared Zimbabwe further humiliation on the opening day of the second Test in Colombo yesterday after being bowled out by Sri Lanka for 141, despite winning the toss. Sri Lanka were 86 for 3 in reply before a third stoppage for rain ended play for the day with 13 overs remaining.

Zimbabwe, beaten by an innings in the first Test, were handily placed at 119 for 2 before off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan and left-armer Jayantha Silva engineered a collapse, taking four wickets apiece.

Zimbabwe 's captain, Alistair Campbell, started the slide after adding 65 for the third wicket with Grant Flower. Campbell advanced to drive Silva, missed the ball and was stumped by Romesh Kaluwitharana for 36.

Flower's innings of 52 was ended by Muralitharan, who had him caught at slip as the innings folded. Zimbabwe's leg-spinner Paul Strang struck back when Sri Lanka batted, dismissing Sanath Jayasuriya for 41 and Aravinda de Silva for 16.