Windies wilt as Zimbabwe seize control

Thursday, November 6, 2003

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AFP): Skipper Heath Streak smashed a maiden Test century as underdogs Zimbabwe seized control of the first Test against the West Indies on Wednesday.

At close of play on the second day, the West Indies reached 11-0 in reply to the home side's 507 for nine declared.

Having started the day on 16, Streak went on to make 127 not out and shared an eighth wicket partnership of 168, a national record, with fellow fast bowler Andy Blignaut.

Vasbert Drakes broke the partnership with Chris Gayle taking the catch leaving Blignaut nine runs short of a deserved century.

Fidel Edwards finished with the best figures of 5-133 from 34.3 overs.

When bad light brought an early close to the day's play, the tourists had reached 11 for no wicket in reply, with Windies opening batsmen Gayle and Wavell Hinds having safely negotiated 2.4 overs.

At tea, Zimbabwe had reached 463-7 as the West Indies toiled.

Until that stage they had taken only the wicket of Tatenda Taibu, who dragged a ball from Edwards on to his stumps after moving his overnight 75 up to 83.

Streak reached his century from 219 balls, certainly slower than might have been expected from such a noted hitter. 

But he did strike some dazzling boundaries, especially through the covers. He was, however, dropped by Hinds when on 85.

Big-hitting Blignaut began his innings as if this was a one-day international, calmed down for a period, and then just before the tea break began to hit out again as the danger of a low score passed. 

Zimbabwe also reached their fifth highest score since joining the Test nations elite 12 years ago.

Scoreboard at close of play on the second day:

West Indies first innings 

C. Gayle not out 6 
W. Hinds not out 0
Extras (b4, w1) 5 
Total (0 wkts, 2.4 overs) 11 

To bat: D Ganga, R Sarwan, B Lara, S Chanderpaul, R Jacobs, V Drakes, F Edwards, C Collymore, J Taylor

Bowling: Blignaut 1.4-0-7-0, Streak 1-1-0-0 

Zimbabwe 1st innings (overnight 284-6)

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. Matsikenyere c Jacobs b Edwards 57
T. Taibu b Edwards 83
H. Streak not out 127
A. Blignaut c Gayle b Drakes 91
R. Price lbw b Edwards 2
N. Mahwire not out 1
Extras (b1, lb5, nb15, w3) 24
Total (for 9 wkts dec) 507

Fall: 1-26, 2-35, 3-58, 4-112, 5-154, 6-233, 7-314, 8-482, 9-495 

Bowling: Edwards 34.3-3-133-5 (nb5, w2), Collymore 29-6-131-1 (nb5), Hinds 15-6-40-1 (w1), Drakes 34-4-85-0 (nb5), Taylor 9.4-4-32-1, Gayle 19.2-6-38-0, Sarwan 9-0-35-0, Chanderpaul 1-0-7-0, Ganga 1-1-0-0 
Overs: 152.3

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