Cricket: Gurusinha's slow feat

Sri Lanka . . . . . . . . . . .383

Zimbabwe

(First Edition)

ASANKA GURUSINHA, the Sri Lanka opening batsman, compiled the third slowest century in Test history before his side collapsed against Zimbabwe in Harare yesterday.

Gurusinha took 533 minutes to reach his 100, a time exceeded only by Pakistan's Mudassar Nazar and the South African, Jackie McGlew, in Tests.

Gurusinha's dismissal in the 147th over with the total on 318 led to a slump in which the last seven wickets fell for 65.

The left-hander Gurusinha finished with 128, his fifth Test century, which took 10 hours and contained 14 fours and one six.

Sri Lanka, who had painstakingly made 157 for 1 on the opening day, continued their innings on a slightly quicker note, with Sanjeeva Ranatunga completing his maiden Test century.