Harper delighted with strong showing

West Indies coach Roger Harper was delighted with his team's performance on the opening day of the first test against Zimbabwe on Thursday.

"It was a very, very good day for West Indian cricket," Harper said after his side skittled Zimbabwe for 155 then closed out the day at 100 for no wicket.

"But we still have four days of test cricket to play and I think tomorrow will be a day when we can really set the match up for ourselves."

Harper said he was pleased with the way his four frontline bowlers, with a combined total of 18 test caps and 55 test wickets, had responded.

"They may only have 18 caps but at the end of the day they've been playing first class cricket for a while and it's the same basic game.

"That's exactly what they did - they applied and implemented the basics out there and it worked for us.

"They were very consistent and very patient and were supported by some good catching," Harper said.

Harper said the selection of left arm fast bowler Pedro Collins, who had not bowled a ball in first-class cricket in more than year, was not considered a gamble.

"We had a good look at him in the nets and he was bowling pretty well.

"We thought his left-arm action would bring a little variety to the bowling and it worked out for us today."

Harper said openers Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga also looked impressive in taking the visitors through to 100 for no wicket with Gayle stroking 10 boundaries in his unbeaten 52.

"Chris has been batting very well but so has Daren and I think they've formed a very good opening partnership and developed a tremendous understanding on this tour.

"They've laid a fantastic foundation here and it's now up to them and the rest of the team to continue to build on it," Harper said.

Mail Cricket Editor