Top 5 Tests of 2017

#2 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Colombo (RPS)

Gunaratne saved Sri Lanka's blushesSri Lanka 346 (Tharanga 71, Chandimal 55; Cremer 5/125) and 391/6 (Dickwella 81, Gunaratne 80; Cremer 4/150) beat Zimbabwe 356 (Ervine 160, Waller 36; Herath 5/116) and 377 (Raza 127, Waller 68; Herath 6/133) by 4 wickets

In a rare Test match where all four innings ended between 340 and 400, Zimbabwe gave a huge scare to Sri Lanka before umpiring decisions and dropped catches handed the hosts a nervous win. Zimbabwe batted first and posted 356 courtesy Craig Ervine's 160, the only healthy score in a scorecard of good starts. From 70/4, Ervine found just enough support to rake up a respectable total as Rangana Herath bagged 5/116.

Almost all of Sri Lanka's batsmen got off to starts too but the highest score remained Upul Tharanga's 71 in a total of 346. Captain Dinesh Chandimal made 55 but opposite number Graeme Cremer took 5/125, giving Zimbabwe a ten-run lead. In the second essay, the visitors were 59/5, but it was Sikandar Raza who turned it around with the lower-order. Posting 127, he set Sri Lanka a target of 388 as Herath again took 6/133.

A mixed start by Sri Lanka meant both teams were in the match, but when they were 203/5, Zimbabwe smelled a miracle victory with only inexperienced batsmen Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne the real obstacles. A crucial partnership of 121 followed which involved several chances for Zimbabwe, even one where the third umpire ruled against them. Dickwella eventually departed for 81, but Gunaratne and Dilruwan Perera steadied things to somehow take Sri Lanka home in a historic chase.