West Indies in command of first Test

The West Indies dominated the opening day of the first test against Zimbabwe on Thursday, bowling out the hosts for 155 before reaching 100 for no wicket in reply at the close.

West Indies openers Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga continued their recent good form, both batsmen looking confident and assured in their shot selection as Gayle raced to an unbeaten 52 and Ganga 44.

Gayle was powerful all round the wicket, hitting 10 boundaries through a combination of his good eye and instinctive timing, despite a lack of foot movement.

The Zimbabwe batting succumbed meekly, with Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle, Craig Wishart and Heath Streak all guilty of rash shots.

The West Indies' bowling attack, boasting just 18 tests and 55 wickets before the game, deserved its rewards, though, Reon King taking four for 51 and Colin Stuart three for 45.

Surprise selection Pedro Collins, who had not bowled a ball in first-class cricket for more than a year, made the early breakthrough, the left-arm seamer trapping Dion Ebrahim lbw for a duck in his second over.

Collins struck again to remove Stuart Carlisle, the batsman edging another full delivery to captain Carl Hooper at second slip for 10. Collins was later forced to leave the field in the middle of his 14th over suffering from cramp.

Campbell, on 21, undid a confident start by chasing a wide delivery from King, the edge comfortably taken by wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, and Zimbabwe were 31 for three after an hour's play.

Wishart then took the attack to the tourists, reaching 36, including five fours and a straight six off left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell, before he drove Stuart straight to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at point.

THIN EDGE

Grant Flower was out shortly after lunch, getting the faintest of edges through to Jacobs off King to depart for six, and captain Streak, on five, gave Chanderpaul another catch off the bowling of McGarrell.

Guy Whittall was the seventh man to go for a patient 42, caught by Gayle at first slip after a fumble by Hooper off the bowling of Stuart, and the last three wickets fell quickly after tea.

Debutant wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu went first, caught in two minds as he blocked Stuart straight to Ramnaresh Sarwan at short extra cover for six.

Andy Blignaut slashed King to McGarrell in the gully, and number eleven Raymond Price was lbw to King for a second ball duck.

Mail Cricket Editor