and there we have it, Utseya taps the final delivery away in defense to end the game.
West Indies vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI at St George's, Feb 22 2013 - Match Result
So, West Indies cruise to a 156-run victory in the first one-day international in Grenada. They were barely challenged all day. Zimbabwe looked undercooked with the ball, and shellshocked with the bat. West Indies had just about everything their own way, the opening pair putting on a massive 168 for the first wicket in quick time. Kieron Powell fell for 79, but Johnson Charles raced to a bullish century and Darren Bravo followed after him. He brought up a maiden one-day hundred, from 71 deliveries, from the final ball of the match. The West Indian total was always going to stretch Zimbabwe, but after Sibanda fell to a delivery he should have reviewed, they were completely out of it. A procession of batsmen came and went, and none of them could make an impact.
We'll have the presentations in a moment. Stick with us for that.
Alistair Campbell hosts the presentation ceremony. I haven't seen him in the flesh for a while. He looks like he spent the last year eating nothing but whole rotisserie chickens. "We were outplayed by miles," admits Brendan Taylor. "It was probably a good wake-up call for some of the guys. Our preparation has been good, our guys have had plenty of time to hone their skills. The next game is important, and hopefully we can improve. Back to the drawing board."
Dwayne Bravo thanks his God for this victory, and namechecks his younger brother while detailing a fantastic day in the field for West Indies. Johnson Charles earns special praise, while Kemar Roach, Tino Best and Sunil Narine also played a good part, he explains, and he thanks the spectators for turning out as well.
Johnson Charles is the Man of the Match for his blistering ton. "My role is to give the team a good start and lay a platform for the team," he says. He certainly performed that role today.
Dylan : "Was going to say what a disappointing, but then that would suggest I believed this would go anyway other way than it did. Truth is Zimbabwe couldn't have performed much worse, but I would like to have seen any of the elite 7 play much better after nearlly 11 months without ODI's or regular match practice. Practice makes perfect and sadly Zim is running severely low in this regard. Anyway it can only get better and as a faithful Zim supporter I will tune in next time in the hope that some sort of miracle can be conjured. Thanks Liam for the commentary, it was entertaining to say the least. Goodnight!"
That's all from me tonight. Before you go, do have a look at Abhishek Purohit's report, particularly if you've got a sadistic streak. I do hope you've enjoyed my commentary, and please do join me again for the second ODI on Sunday. Goodbye!
A flat, fast delivery from Deonarine, and Utseya defends once more. Just the one delivery to go.
"Ye shall not pass!" screams Utseya's perpendicular defensive bat.
yet more defense. Limpet-like, Utseya is.
Deonarine rushes back to his mark to deliver another ball, Utseya offering a dead bat in return.
Faraz Aman: "Surely this match commentry was one of the best commentries in the history of cricinfo commentry !!" Your comment is bizarre, Faraz, but flattery will get you everywhere.
Utseya is utterly solid in defense.
Now, can Utseya block out this final over of the day and save the Test match for Zimbabwe. Wait. What's going on?
Mpofu survives the final delivery, just about, and Zimbabwe have just one more over to struggle through.
Mushangwe's entertaining innings comes to an end, a quicker ball rushing onto him, taking the inside edge and cannoning into the stumps.
another slower one, Mushangwe picks it and keeps it out.
sydney chinyadza: "Liam will you be on commentary for the newzealand v england match?" Alas not, Sydney, but I will be following Cricinfo's commentary, as should you.
a very slow slower ball, the offcutter, and Utseya guides it down past gully for a single.
outside off once again, tapped straight to the fielder.
a slower one, Utseya plays it to point and inquires about the possibility of a single. Not on.
speared in at off stump, Mushangwe defends.
bosh! Mushangwe is going to have some fun while he's out there, bending into a slog sweep to send the ball way over long on. Barely a murmur from the crowd.
again into the leg side, but this time into space and there's one run on offer.
nudged to midwicket, no run taken.
chopped down on the off side for a single.
turned into the leg side, playing with the spin.
and another dot ball ends the over. Don't worry, it's almost over now.
Bo J: "And apologies for the typos and grammar errors...can't see through the tears! Haha"
full once again, poked into the covers.
National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada | |
Toss | Zimbabwe, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2012/13 |
Player Of The Match | |
Series result | West Indies led the 3-match series 1-0 |
Match number | ODI no. 3337 |
Hours of play (local time) | 09.30 start, First Session 09.30-13.00 Interval 13.00-13.45, Second Session 13.45-17.15 |
Match days | 22 February 2013 - day (50-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |