Windies avenge Sydney loss to Zimbabwe

Roshal Paul

A competent all-round performance from the West Indies ensured that they beat Zimbabwe by 77 runs and put their nose in front of the Africans in terms of a place in the finals of the Carlton & United Tri-Series.

Electing to bat, the West Indies recovered from a shaky start to compile 235/7 off 47 overs when rain interrupted proceedings.

A long delay meant that the match was reduced to 47 overs and the Duckworth/Lewis system came into play. This made the Zimbabwean target 253 from 47 overs. The Africans got off to a slow start and were never able to really get going, eventually mustering only 175 runs.

Earlier in the day, the West Indies lost openers Sherwin Campbell and Darren Ganga early but recovered through a 133 run partnership for the 3rd wicket between Marlon Samuels (68, 98b, 6x4,1x6) and Brian Lara (70, 96b,3x4,1x6).

After their dismissal, cameos from Ricardo Powell (33, 26b, 2x4, 2x6) and Mahendra Nagamootoo (22n.o., 12b, 2x4, 1x6) ensured that the scoreboard ticked along. That is, until rain intervened. Heath Streak was again the best of the Zimbabwean bowlers, picking up 3/27 from 8 overs.

The Zimbabwean start was solid but slow. They lost wickets at regular intervals and only briefly looked like making a match of it when the Flower brothers were at the crease. However, the 90-run partnership between Andy Flower (50, 73b, 3x4) and his brother Grant (41, 64b, 1x4) took over 20 overs, which was too much time.

Once they were dismissed, the mounting run-rate proved too much for the rest of the batsmen and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 175 runs.

Mahendra Nagamootoo (4/32) enjoyed himself against a batting line-up looking to attack him. He would have especially enjoyed the spectacular one-handed return catch he took to remove danger-man Andy Flower.

Marlon Samuels was declared man-of-the-match.

Scoreboard

West Indies
D.Ganga run out 6
S.Campbell c Campbell b Streak 5
M.Samuels c A.Flower b Viljoen 68
B.Lara c Campbell b Streak 70
R.Powell b Streak 33
J.Adams not out 13
R.Jacobs run out 7
M.Nagamootoo not out 22
Extras (b-0 lb-3 w-5 nb-3) 11
Total (six wickets, 47 overs) 235
Did not bat: N.McLean C.Cuffy M.Black
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-16, 3-149, 4-183, 5-199, 6-203
Bowling: Streak 8-1-27-3 (nb-2, w-3), Strang 10-1-44-0 (w-1), Whittall 3-0-16-0 (nb-1), Nkala 8-0-43-0, Murphy 5-0-33-0 (w-1), Viljoen 10-0-47-1, G.Flower 3-0-22-0

Zimbabwe
A.Campbell c Powell b McLean 20
G.Whittall c Samuels b McLean 17
S.Carlisle b Cuffy 4
A.Flower c&b Nagamootoo 50
G.Flower c Ganga b Samuels 41
G.Rennie not out 17
H.Streak lbw Nagamootoo 3
D.Viljoen c Adams b Nagamootoo 7
M.Nkala b Nagamootoo 0
B.Strang run out 0
B.Murphy run out 1
Extras (b-0 lb-7 w-5 nb-3) 15
Total (all out, 40.2 overs) 175
Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-45, 3-47, 4-137, 5-149, 6-157, 7-167, 8-169, 9-170
Bowling: McLean 8-1-31-2, Cuffy 10-1-37-1 (w-1), Black 7-0-30-0 (nb-2, w-1), Samuels 8-0-38-1 (nb-1), Nagamootoo 7.2-0-32-4 (w-3).

Result: West Indies won by 77 runs.

Note: Innings shortened by rain, Zimbabwe required 253 to win in 47 overs under the Duckworth/Lewis sytem after West Indies' innings was shortened by rain.

Next match: Australia v West Indies (day-night), Adelaide, January 26.

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