The Zimbabweans will resume day three of the first Test in Barbados on 41-3.
The third day of the first Test in Bridgetown will continue at 2.00pm GMT today with Zimbabwe chasing the game, still 55 runs short of their hosts’ total.
Zimbabwe bowled the West Indies out for 307 on day two then managed to get to 25 runs without loss, before a mini-collapse left them on 41-3 at close of play.
Opener Tino Mawoyo was the visitors’ top-scorer in the first innings with 50 but he was the first to fall in their second, making just nine runs.
Hamilton Masakadza was then dismissed off the bowling of Shane Shillingford with only one more run added to the total.
When Mawoyo’s opening partner Vusimuzi Sibanda also fell victim to Shillingford’s bowling, the match seemed to be swinging the West Indies’ way.
Stumps on day two may have been the best thing for Brendan Taylor’s side as their wickets were falling rapidly. Taylor will be hoping an overnight rest will give himself and night-watchman Raymond Price a better chance of edging nearer the home side’s total.
The returning Marlon Samuels took four wickets for the West Indies in the first innings, but skipper Darren Sammy has yet to deploy him in the second.
Further concern for Zimbabwe could be caused by the fact that they will be facing one of the quickest opening spells in world cricket, from pacemen Kemar Roach and Tino Best.
Taylor’s first priority will be leading his team to the 55-run mark they need to avoid a defeat by an innings. Only after that can the Zimbabwean captain decide his next move.
COMMENTS