ZIMBABWE skipper Graeme Cremer played a true captain’s innings that saw him register a maiden Test century on the third day of the First Test against Sri Lanka at Harare Sports Club on Monday.

Cremer was last man standing unbeaten on 102 from 207 deliveries as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 373 after 107,5 overs in the first innings.

In their first innings, Sri Lanka made 537 and were 5-0 after three overs in the second innings.

Sri Lanka lead by 169 runs with all wickets intact.

However, Zimbabwe’s batting spearheaded by Cremer, Peter Moor (79), Donald Tiripano (46) and Tino Mawoyo’s 45 was all there to talk about on day three.

Cremer, who clobbered 10 fours, came to the rescue for Zimbabwe that had slipped from their overnight score of 88-1 to 139-6.

But a 132-run stand between Cremer and Moor followed by another innings saving 92-run featuring the captain and Tiripano rescued Zimbabwe from going down.

For Sri Lanka bowlers, Suranga Lakmal and Rangana Herath shared three-wickets each, Dilruwan Perera (2-66) while Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Kumara claimed a scalp apiece.

Match state

First innings
Sri Lanka 537 all out in 155 overs (Upul Tharanga 110*, Kusal Perera 110, Kaushal Silva 94, Dimuth Karunaratne 56, Asel Gunaratne 54; Graeme Cremer 4-142, Chris Mpofu 2-96)
Zimbabwe 373 all out in 107,5 overs (Cremer 102*, Peter Moor 79, Donald Tiripano 46; Suranga Lakmal 3-69, Rangana Herath 3-97)

Second innings
Sri Lanka 5-0 in 3 overs (Kaushal Silva 3*, Dimuth Karunaratne 1*)