Our shot selection was poor - Utseya

Runako Morton sweeps past Tatenda Taibu on his way to a top score of 79 during West Indies' easy win on Sunday © AFP

Prosper Utseya, the Zimbabwe captain, has credited the West Indian bowlers for an improved performance that set up their 110-run victory in the second one-day international at Harare. The five-match series is now level at 1-1.

West Indies conceded 274 to Zimbabwe in the first match but dismissed them for only 176 on Sunday. Jerome Taylor, who took 1 for 17 off eight overs, and legspinner Rawl Lewis, with 3 for 43, turned in excellent performances after ordinary outings on Friday.

"They [West Indies] did very well with the ball because it was really difficult for our batsmen in the first 10 overs," Utseya said. "Our shot selection was also very poor and when things like that happen, you do not stay long at the crease. So at the end of the day they bowled better and they did their homework."

Dwayne Bravo, the West Indian allrounder, said they had put in a lot of hard work after their defeat in the opener. "We had to correct the mistakes we made on Friday and so after that game we sat down as a team and had a long discussion with the guys," he said. "That led to the big difference in today's game. We looked at the style of the Zimbabwe bowlers and we learned their style of play as well so we knew where they would put the ball."

Bravo, who stood in as captain after Chris Gayle injured his hamstring while batting, said that although the injury did not affect the outcome of the match, it was important that he recovered as soon as possible. However, Bravo added that standing in as captain wasn't a problem.

"I have captained before and the duty is made easier if you have ten players that support you and are always behind you, because some of them have also been captains before so they know what it is like."