Zimbabwe 'A' crushed in second unofficial Test at Galle.

In the end Zimbabwe's death in this second unofficial test match was quick but certainly not painless. Immediately after being bowled out for a humiliating 76 in their second innings, the players were forced back out on to the training ground by their Coach Kevin Curran. The visitor's dramatic second innings collapse, in which they were bowled out in just 44 overs, meaning that they lost this match by an innings and 134 runs.

In truth the large margin of their defeat accurately reflects the gulf between these sides. Zimbabwe were comprehensively outplayed in all aspects of the game by an extremely talented young Sri Lankan side.

Speaking to CricInfo after the game Kevin Curran said: "It was disappointing from the very first day, when we won the toss in conditions that were very favourable for us, with a lot of grass and juice on the wicket. We should have had Sri Lanka five or six wickets down on that first day but failed to get the ball in the right areas often enough. It was just poor bowling."

"When we batted the wicket had dried out, so it suited us, but we didn't bat well apart from Craig Wishart, who batted magnificently and showed a lot of application. There were too many rash shots and it was just bad cricket on our part."

"If you analyse the whole game, they outplayed us, full credit to Sri Lanka they deserved to win. If we are going to play like that the we are going struggle."

To comeback after such a crushing defeat will take a monumental effort from the Zimbabwean's. The Sri Lankan 'A' pool contains some very talented cricketers who are being ably coached by Hemantha Devapriya. All the players are in form and more importantly are showing a rapid rate of improvement.

The openers, Avishka Gunawardena and Pradeep Hewage, have both scored centuries and the middle order have all looked extremely comfortable against the somewhat limited bowling attack of the Zimbabweans. It's the fast bowlers though that have really impressed so far in this series and who posed the greatest threat to the batsmen in this innings.

Dinusha Fernando bowled excellently again this morning. The tall fast bowler, who plays his club cricket for Sebastianites CC, extracted bounce and movement from the wicket in the early overs; claiming the wickets of Donald Campbell (6), who was caught at second slip, and then Mark Vermeulen (0), who was brilliantly caught behind by Prasanna Jayawardena. Dinusha's morning spell: 2-2 off five overs.

Kaushalya Weereratne, who had consistently swung the ball throughout the match and looks certain to play international cricket in the near future, wasn't at his best this morning but this didn't matter as Dilhara Fernando produced his finest spell of the match.

For Sri Lankan standards Dilhara Fernando is a big man. Off the field he is a gentle giant, extremely amiable and friendly. However when bowling he was by far the most aggressive of the Sri Lankan's. Charging to the wicket and bowling with his powerful slingy action he hasn't been afraid to try and intimdate the Zimabawean's. He has bowled quick too. Today he forced the batsmen into evasive action on a number if occassions: Andy Blignaut just managing to fend off a delivery that appeared destined for his head.

Dilhara wrapped up the game with four quick wickets as Zimabwe lost their last five wickets for just 22 runs. Craig Wishart (15) was the key wicket: caught at midwicket trying to flick a short pitched delivery through legside. Peacock (2) was then caught in the slips, Angus Mackay (3) skied a catch to cover and Andy Blignaut (7) was well caught by a diving Sangakkara in the gully to finish off the innings.

Both teams now head for Matara where the final unofficial test match will be held on Thursday. Zimbabwe have a number of injury worries and are hoping that Everton Matambanadzo passes a fitness test tomorrow. Andy Blinaut looks doubtful after a recurrence of his back troubles. The Sri Lankan coach wants to play with the same XI but the selectors may well make changes to give others in the pool a chance.