West Indies start well

The West Indies managed two emphatic victories in the Cable and Wireless three-way one-day tournament over the touring Zimbabweans this past Saturday and Sunday at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The two victories emphasized the West Indies rejuvenated spirit and their recent return to form.

In the first match, Andy Flower won the toss for Zimbabwe and asked the home team to bat. The tourists started reasonably well as Henry Olonga and Gary Brent claimed the wickets of Philo Wallace (6) and Chris Gayle (4) as the West Indies were set back at 41 for 2. Sherwin Campbell (103) and Jimmy Adams (60), however, accumulated a massive third wicket partnership of 141. Campbell played with authority as he registered his maiden oneday international century and Adams kept rotating the strike as they quickly took the West Indian total to 181. Ridley Jacobs also smashed a quick-fire 32 from just 25 balls to help the West Indies to 237 for 9 from their 50 overs.

In reply, the Zimbabweans never kept up with the scoring rate and were dismissed for 150 from just 41.4 overs. Murray Goodwin (52) and Stuart Carlisle (37) were the only batsmen with scores of substance as they shared in an 86 run partnership. The West Indian pacers bowled with control and frustrated the Zimbabweans. Jimmy Adams was the pick of the bowlers as his gentle left arm spin claimed 3 for 19. King, Dillon and Ricardo Powell also picked up 2 wickets apiece.

In the second match Jimmy Adams won the toss and elected to bat. Sherwin Campbell played some fluent strokes for his 21 and Wallace struggled for 18. However, with the fall of the two openers to the bowling of Gary Brent, Wavell Hinds and Jimmy Adams were brought together and shared in a third wicket partnership of 95 before Adams was run out for 41. Hinds and Gayle then put on a brilliant display of batting which was the highlight of the match. Hinds played a dashing innings of 116 not out from 125 deliveries and Gayle played with the fluency of a real stroke-player as he raced to 58 from just 45 deliveries and helped West Indies to 280 for 3 from 50 overs.

Zimbabwe?s scoring rate was never going to be enough to force a victory as they ambled to 239 for 9 from 50 overs. Carlisle top scored with 57 and shared in a 69 run partnership with Andy Flower (52). Guy Whittal also aided the Zimbabwean?s cause with 29. Reon King was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 27 as the West Indian bowlers once again bowled with great accuracy. Pakistan join the series this Wednesday as they take on Zimbabwe in Antigua and the West Indies continue their series in Grenada this Saturday against Pakistan.