Taibu and Matsikenyeri rescue Zimbabwe

Wednesday, November 5, 2003

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AFP): Tatenda Taibu and debutant Stuart Matsikenyeri came to Zimbabwe's rescue on Tuesday as the home side recovered from 58-3 to finish the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies on 284-6.

Taibu was unbeaten on 75, while Matsikenyeri began his Test career in spirited style with a battling 57 after the West Indian attack had dominated the first session.

A weakened Zimbabwe were missing a host of experienced players including the now retired Andy Flower and Henry Olonga following their World Cup anti-Robert Mugabe protest.

At tea, Zimbabwe were hanging on against the West Indies' pace battery and had reached 186 for 5 with Windies captain Brian Lara just holding the initiative. 

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak had won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket which offered opportunities for fast bowlers early on but which was eventually expected to favour batsmen. 

The home side still have a good opportunity to make a challenging total though at one stage were 58 for 3. 

Opening batsmen Vusi Sibanda, like Matsikenyeri also making his debut at this level, was the first to go after an impressive 18 before edging to Ridley Jacobs off Fidel Edwards while Matsikenyeri was on 37 not out at the tea break. 

The first five Zimbabwe batsmen to go were all caught behind the stumps, either by wicketkeeper Jacobs or at slip, indicating technical weaknesses.

But they had not been afraid to go for shots through the covers or mid-wicket especially. 

Opener Trevor Gripper looked secure until he went after a wide ball from Taylor. 

Mark Vermeulen and Stuart Carlisle never got to grips with their task and Craig Wishart, who looked likely to make a big score, nipped one to Jacobs off Wavell Hinds. 

But Wishart's 47, and Gripper's 41, kept Zimbabwe in the game as they added 54 for the fifth wicket while the partnership of Matsikenyere and Taibu was worth 32 at the break. 

Matsikenyeri reached his half-century in fine style with a drive off Hinds over long-off for six, and then cut his next ball to the boundary. 

However, he too lost his wicket in the same manner as his colleagues when he edged Edwards to Jacobs. 

Taibu eased past 50 before ending the day on 75, his best Test score.

Close of play scoreboard on the first day of the first Test between Zimbabwe and West Indies:

Zimbabwe 1st innings:
V. Sibanda c Jacobs b Edwards 18 
T. Gripper c Lara b Taylor 41 
M. Vermeulen c Hinds b Edwards 8 
S. Carlisle c Lara b Collymore 8 
C. Wishart c Jacobs b Hinds 47 
S. Matsikenyeri c Jacobs b Edwards 57
T. Taibu not out 75
H. Streak not out 16
Extras (b1, w1, nb12) 14 
Total (six wickets, 90 overs) 284 

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-35, 3-58, 4-112, 5-154, 6-233 

To bat: A. Blignaut, R. Price, N. Mahwire 

Bowling: Edwards 17-2-73-3, Collymore 15-3-63-1, Hinds 12-5-30-1, Drakes 18-3-46-0, Taylor 9.4-4-32-1, Gayle 10.2-6-8-0, Sarwan 6-0-24-0, Chanderpaul 2-1-7-0 

Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bat

Umpires: B. Bowden (NZL) and S. Taufel (AUS)
TV umpire: K. Barbour
Referee: GR Viswanath (IND)

West Indies: 
C. Gayle, W. Hinds, D. Ganga, R. Sarwan, B. Lara (capt), S. Chanderpaul, R. Jacobs (wkt), V. Drakes, F. Edwards, C. Collymore, J. Taylor

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