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WI v Zim : 2nd ODI

Monday, November 24 2003

The West Indies was knocked over for just 125 runs as Zimbabwe cruised home to a 6-wicket victory to level the series. Just a day ago, the West Indian batsmen posted a massive 347/6 in their 50-over allotment, but today it was a completely different story.

Yesterday, the Zimbabwean bowlers failed to support an excellent ground fielding effort. Today the fielding was just as sharp, but this time the bowlers got it right. Winning the toss for the second consecutive ODI, Lara elected to bat first on what looked like another good batting wicket, albeit with more grass.

Gayle and Hinds negotiated the first few overs nicely, but in the sixth, Gayle failed to pull the bat away in time from an indecisive leave and found himself caught at the wicket for 8. Only 8 runs later, Gayle's fellow centurion of Saturday was struck in front to a good Blignaut delivery and the West Indies stuttering at 26/2. Sarwan joined Hinds and the two consolidated the score to 41 before the latter edged Ervine to Taibu for 17.

With that dismissal, Shivnarine Chanderpaul came to the wicket with a big job to do. He and Sarwan looked to be doing what was needed, with Sarwan batting defensively and Chanderpaul playing with a bit more assurance. Their partnership produced 30 runs, but both were dismissed in the same Gary Brent over. Chanderpaul was brilliantly caught by Heath Streak for 20 and Sarwan was once again run out, this time by Andy Blignaut for 13.

Powell (6), Baugh (2), Drakes (2) and Rampaul (1) came and went to Gripper (2/28) and Price (2/16), while Samuels did as much as he could at the other end. He hit Gripper for a couple of massive sixes but his effort was curtailed when Streak produced a superb inswinging yorker to dismiss Collymore for 2. The innings closed on a paltry 125 all out in 42.3 overs, with Marlon Samuels topscoring unbeaten on 36.

With a small target on the board, the Zimbabweans set about as they are known to by making it as difficult as possible. Trevor Gripper (6) was run out due an accurate throw from Samuels on the boundary while coming back for a fourth run. His partner Sibanda had his bat broken by Drakes and as such was forced to redeem it for a new one. The very next ball, he flashed at one outside offstump and was caught behind for a duck.

Wishart came to the crease and looked rather settled and in-form, but soon got out to an over confident attempted heave off of Collymore, to which Sarwan took a good catch running back a long way from midon - 31/3. Vermeulen looked to be having no difficulties all this time, executing some fantastic cover drives (three for boundaries off Gayle) and a superb straight drive to the ropes off Gayle. His partner Matsikenyeri (3) looked exactly the opposite however. Against a superb spell of outswing bowling from Collymore, he looked very much tentative before he lost his offstump to a good inswinging yorker.

Streak promoted himself and took his stance outside the crease against Collymore, keeping out a series of fine yorkers by this tactic. Soon Streak was in full flow and Vermeulen managed to get to fifty off 65 balls, with 10 fours being the highlights. Ravi Rampaul (0/47 off 10) proved the brunt of the Zimbabwean attack as they comfortably reached the target with 122 ball remaining and no further loss. Streak finished unbeaten on 38 from 37 balls and Vermeulen on 66 from 79 balls.

For his calm and classy innings under pressure, Vermeuelen won the Man of the Match award as Zimbabwe levelled the series at one apiece.

Match Summary

West Indies 125 all out (42.3 overs)
(Marlon Samuels 36 not out [53], Shiv Chanderpaul 20 [24])
(Ray Price 2/16 [10], Andy Blignaut 2/27 [7], Trevor Gripper 2/26 [6])

Zimbabwe 128/4 (29.4 overs)
(Mark Vermeulen 66 not out [79], Heath Streak 38 not out [37])
(Corey Collymore 2/27 [7], Vasbert Drakes 1/18 [7])

Result: Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
Series: 1-1
Man of the Match: Mark Vermeulen (Zim)

The third of five ODI's will be played on Wednesday in Harare.

Posted by Liam