West Indies seals ODI series against Zimbabwe

A five wicket haul from Jerome Taylor and half-centuries by Runako Morton and Marlon Samuels helped West Indies wrap up the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe with a 3-1 lead.

Record opening Stand

Winning the toss and bowling first didn’t exactly look like the right decision by West Indies stand-in skipper Dwane Bravo. Zimbabwe got off to a tremendous start with openers Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza sharing a record 167-run partnership for the first wicket in 36.5 overs.

Masakadza struck breezy 80 from 92 balls, an innings that included 7 hits to the ropes and 1 over it; he was stumped by Denesh Ramdin off spinner Lewis. Sibanda was unfortunate to miss out on his 2nd ODI hundred as a direct hit ended his superb stay on 96. The previous Zimbabwean record of 161 for opening stand was shared by the Flower brothers

Jerome- the juggler

Zimbabwe’s hope of posting a big score received a jolt when Jerome Taylor struck twice in an over dismissing Chigumbura and Taibu. From 167/1 Zimbabwe stumbled to 176/3.

Brendon Taylor, who was sent at number five, to strengthen the middle order particularly for this game, played his part by remaining unbeaten on 26. Wickets continued to tumble courtesy Jerome Taylor, who also picked his first five-wicket haul. The middle order and lower order barring Brendon Taylor failed to register double figure scores and as a result Zimbabwe was reduced to meager 232/9 from 50 overs.

Jerome Taylor was the major attraction as he mixed his deliveries well bowling quick and sending down few yorkers.

Just like their fine start in the first innings, Zimbabwe struck again with Chigumbura dismissing Devon Smith for a first ball duck. Morten, who has been in splendid form scored his 3rd fifty of the series, an innings that included three huge sixes but was dropped twice.

Samuels is known for brisk scoring and he lived up to his reputation by scoring 62 runs from 71 balls with 5 fours and 1 six. Three late wickets of Morten, Samuels and Deonarine did give Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope but a patient innings by skipper Bravo ensured that West Indies reached home safely with 5 wickets to spare.

Prosper Utesaya was pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers picking three wickets for 40. Jerome Taylor pocketed the Man of the Match award for his maiden fifer.

The fifth and final match of the series will be played on Sunday at Bulawayo.