Rain cut short the first day's play of Sri Lanka's first match of their four-week cricket tour of Zimbabwe.

Playing the President's XI at BAC in a three-day match, Sri Lanka not only saw their hosts recover from a somewhat shaky start, but have the rain intervene shortly after 2 p.m. from where no further play was possible.

When the umpires, Geoff Fenwick and Chuck Coventry, called off play for the day, the President's XI side were on 214-4. and that after they were reeling at 39-3.

Their fight-back was largely down to a gutsy century by Gavin Rennie, looking for some form to consolidate his position in the Test team and work his way up the order.

Rennie and Gary Brent put on an unbroken 153 partnership for the fifth wicket.

Having given only one chance -- on 113, he was dropped by Rang Herath at cover off the bowling of Suresh Perera -- Rennie ended the day on 114 while Brent was undefeated on 55.

Rennie, now batting way down the order in the Test team, opened the innings yesterday and played with some authority, although it must be said that Sri Lanka are fielding a second-string side for this match.

Among the notable absentees are captain Sanath Jayasuriya, master spinner Mutiah Muralitharan, left arm pace-man Chaminda Vaas and wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Still, Rennie did well enough in his 256-minute stay at the crease during which he hit 11 fours and smashed two sixes.

Brent's half-century knock came off 97 balls and included four fours and a six.

In the absence of the more celebrated bowlers, Sri Lanka's Inika Gallage certainly took advantage of the opportunity presented to him and claimed all the four wickets that fell yesterday.

His right-arm pace told for handsome figures -- four wickets for 41 off 10 overs.

Sri Lanka, who will feature in three Tests and five one-day internationals during their tour, will resume their warm-up this morning.

© the Herald