Vermeulen's maiden century keeps Zimbabwe hopes alive

West Indies bowler Corey Collymore unsuccessfully 
appeals for the LBW of Zimbabwe's Tatenda Taibu on 
the third day of the second Test  in Bulawayo 14 
November 2003. AFP PHOTO

Saturday, November 15, 2003

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AFP): Mark Vermeulen smashed a battling maiden Test century here on Friday to keep Zimbabwe in with a chance of saving the second Test against the West Indies.

Vermeulen's 118 pushed the home side to a first innings total of 337, and by the time bad light brought an early close, the West Indies were on 13 for 1 in their second innings, with a lead of 117. 

Vermeulen, who failed in the first Test with only eight and two, stubbornly created his personal milestone and he went on to score 118 before he fell to Omari Banks. His was the spinner's only wicket of the day, for a cost of more than 100 runs.

The Zimbabwe player hit 14 boundaries and took his team past their first objective, which was to avoid the follow-on. 

Vermeulen was partnered to a 78-run stand by Tatenda Taibu, then by Andy Blignaut. Ray Price continued the defiance after Vermeulen departed and he went onto make 38 with last man Blessing Mahwire remaining on eight not out. 

West Indies skipper Brian Lara tried seven bowlers in a bid to winkle Zimbabwe out, but with little success, Corey Collymore excepted. He took 4-70 and was the best of the tourist's attack. 

Vermeulen began the day with Craig Wishart and with their side on 173-3. They had already built up a partnership of 142, but Wishart was only able to extend his overnight score from 86 to 96, just missing out on a second Test century. 

Vermeulen scored only five in the first hour and took more than five and a half hours all in over his gritty knock

He had one piece of luck when he was yorked by Collymore but turned to see umpire Simon Taufel signalling a no-ball. 

However, he was eventually out when he padded up to a ball from Banks going down the leg side, but it caught the inside of his leg and dropped onto the stumps.

Taibu was his usual effervescent self and contributed 27 runs. 

Blignaut began slowly but hit out later for 31.

Scoreboard at the close of play on the third day:

West Indies first innings 481
(Brian Lara 191, Wavell Hinds 81, Ramnaresh Sarwan 65, Ray Price 5-199)

Zimbabwe first innings (overnight 173-3)
Vusi Sibands c and b Edwards 2
Trevor Gripper b Dillon 1
Mark Vermeulen b Banks 118
Stuart Carlisle b Edwards 11
Craig Wishart lbw b Collymore 96
Stuart Matsikenyere b Collymore 8
Tatenda Taibu c Gayle b Collymore 27
Heath Streak lbw b Dillon 3
Andy Blignaut lbw b Dillon 31
Ray Price c Ganga b Banks 35
Blessing Mahwire not out 8
Extras (17b, 4lb, 15nb, 1w) 37
Total (for 9 wkts) 377

Fall: 1-5, 2-10, 3-31, 4-185, 5-201, 6-279, 7-289, 8-302, 9-336, 10-377

Bowling: Wavell Hinds 6-2-18-0, Fidel Edwards 15-3-48-2 (5nb, 1w), Mervyn Dillon 34-13-57-2 (1nb), Corey Collymore 24-5-70-4 (9nb), Omari Banks 41.1-13-106-2, Chris Gayle 6-1-23-0, Ramnaresh Sarwan 7-0-34-0

West Indies 2nd innings
Chris Gayle lbw b Streak 0
Wavell Hinds not out 5
Daren Ganga not out 8
Extras 0
Total (for 1wkt) 13

To Bat: Lara, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Jacobs, Banks, Dillon, Collymore, Edwards

Fall: 1-0

Bowling: Heath Streak 2-1-4-1, Andy Blignaut 1-0-9-0

Toss: West Indies
Umpires: R Koertzen (RSA) and S Taufel (AUS)
TV Umpire: I Robinson
Match Referee: G Viswanath (IND) 

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