Windies need 306 runs to win

Zimbabwe moved into a strong position after the fourth day of the second Test against the West Indies on Monday.

The home side, needing a victory to level the two-match series after the West Indies won the first Test, set the tourists 348 to win after declaring their second innings on a record 563 for nine.

The West Indies closed on 42 for one wicket while batting again when bad light brought play to a halt 8.4 overs early.

They require another 306 for victory or need to bat through the fifth day to save the match.

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak claimed the wicket of Daren Ganga for five, the opener wafting across the line and lofting the ball off a leading edge to Bryan Strang at mid off.

The Zimbabwe total was the highest since they entered the Test arena, passing the 544 for four wickets declared they scored against Pakistan on the same ground in 1994-1995.

Streak and Andy Blignaut added a Zimbabwe record 154 for the seventh wicket in a superb display of attacking strokeplay.

AGGRESSIVE BATTING

Blignaut was particularly murderous, thrashing the ball to all parts of the ground.

He reached his maiden Test fifty with a massive six smashed straight back over the head of Neil McGarrell, then survived a concerted appeal for a catch off the glove.

Blignaut was in sight of his maiden test hundred when he heaved across the line at Colin Stuart and was bowled for 92. He faced 118 balls and hit three sixes and 12 fours.

His seventh wicket partnership with Streak passed the previous best for Zimbabwe, 131 between Grant Flower and Paul Strang against Pakistan in Sheikhapura in 1996-1997.

The declaration came after McGarrell removed Strang to claim his third wicket. Streak finished unbeaten on 79, facing 176 balls and hitting ten fours and a six.

Hamilton Masakadza, who on Sunday became the youngest player ever to score a century on Test debut, added just four runs to his overnight 115 before he drove loosely at McGarrell and was caught by Carl Hooper. He batted for almost six and a half hours, facing 316 balls and hitting 12 fours.

Mail Cricket Editor