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WI v Zim : Day 3

Friday, November 7 2003

Ray Price spun Zimbabwe into a potential winning position on a strange day of Test cricket. West Indies stand at 241/6 at stumps with Chanderpaul (19) and Drakes (13) sharing a partnership of 14. The tourists are still 67 runs back of the follow on target with just Edwards, Collymore and an injured Taylor to come.

The day began in the most bizarre fashion. A practice ball was hit underneath the roller and the result produced a large indentation mid-pitch. In an outstanding effort, the ground staff had play resumed just two hours after the scheduled start. A large chunk of the pitch had to be removed and replaced with new soil and turf. After inspecting the surface, Lara agreed to continue batting on it. At this point, the sky was fairly heavily overcast and there was clearly some moisture in the air with which the Zimbabwean bowlers were assisted in the swinging the ball.

Gayle and Hinds resumed with the score on 11/0 and that latter preceded to play his shots heartily, hitting four (4) boundaries in two (2) overs at one stage. The 50-run mark was posted before batting hero, Heath Streak struck Gayle in front for 14. Ganga joined Hinds and the two batted comfortably, adding 77 runs for the second wicket, with Hinds hitting the ball superbly in recording a half-century.

Indeed, Hinds looked set for his fifth Test hundred, before he played a careless pull off Mahwire and lobbed a simple catch to midon. He made 79 off just 95 balls, reaching the ropes on fourteen (14) occasions. With the score at 127/2, the former Test record holder strode to the crease and quickly found form. The was certainly big promise in Lara's approach before he skied a catch to long-off for a careless dismissal at 29, West Indies at 179/3.

All this time, Ganga continued to bat well, timing his shots nicely and reaching his half-century with few problems. He and Sarwan put on 32 runs before the Sarwan missed a quicker ball from Price - LBW for 9. Just 4 runs later and the West Indian problems were compounded in one of the most unfortunate dismissals you would see. Ganga deflected a Mahwire delivery of the bottom edge of his bat into the pitch. The ball the bounced up and hit his arm guard and ultimately he was bowled for 73 - 215/5.

To round off a fantastic day at the office, Ray Price returned to capture Ridley Jacobs, who has always struggled against spin. Jacobs was caught at silly point (a decision that he wasn't too much in agreement with) for 5, his team reeling at 240/6 and having lost three (3) wickets for 29 runs.

The West Indies will start day 4 needing a further 67 runs to avoid following on. Zimbabwe is in total control despite the predictions of showers at some point during the next two days.

MATCH SUMMARY
Toss: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe 1st innings 507/7 dec. (152.3 overs)
(Heath Streak 127 not out, Andy Blignaut 91, Tatenda Taibu 83, S Matsikenyeri 57)
(Fidel Edwards 5/133, Jerome Taylor 1/32, Wavell Hinds 1/40)
West Indies 1st innings 241/6 (71 overs)
(Wavell Hinds 79, Daren Ganga 73, Brian Lara 29)
(Ray Price 3/39, Blessing Mahwire 2/60)

Posted by Liam