Ervine’s unbeaten 84 lifted Zimbabwe from a precarious 70-4 after Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath took three wickets to hurt the visitors at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.
Ervine built a few crucial partnerships including a 84-run fifth-wicket stand with Sikandar Raza (36) to improve on Zimbabwe’s position after they elected to bat first.
Ervine was batting alongside Malcolm Waller (13 not out) at the break.
Herath, who returned with figures of 3-57 in the first two sessions, provided early delight for new Test captain Dinesh Chandimal after he lost the toss.
The hosts, who saw Angelo Mathews step down as captain after their shock defeat to Zimbabwe in the one-day series, looked much the better side in the 55 overs bowled so far.
Herath sent back openers Regis Chakabva for 12 and Hamilton Masakadza for 19 trudging back to the pavilion as Zimbabwe took lunch at 96-4.
The 39-year-old Herath, who also got the dangerous Raza trapped lbw, was ably supported by the rest of the bowlers. Lahiru Kumara, Asela Gunaratne and Dilruwan Perera took a wicket each.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
