ZIMBABWE are still searching for their first wicket after West Indies kept the hosts at bay to close the second day of the first Test match on 221 for no loss, both batsman scoring a century each.
The visitors’ Captain, Kraigg Braithwaite, was the first to get a hundred from 226 balls, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul raced to his maiden century shortly after from 286 deliveries.
Following Saturday’s downpour, a wet outfield delayed the match’s resumption until 3 pm, paving the way to a 38-overs day’s play.
West Indies resumed day two on 112/0 and added 109 runs.
Zimbabwe offspinner Wellington Masakadza said they are happy to control the game, but wickets remain the team’s Achilles Heel.
“We have managed to control the game, we have been a bit unlucky not to pick up a wicket, but as the game progresses, there will be something for the bowlers on this wicket. Queens Sports Club is like that,” said Masakadza.
“But tomorrow, we will have to devise a new plan and see if they are gonna work. We will sit down and come up with different strategies. We have bowled well in these two days. We have to continue doing that; if we can get one wicket am sure it can bring a few more.”
The match resumes on day three on Monday with optimism. The weather forecast predicts a sunny day with minimal chances of rain.
Zimbabwe offspinner, Wellington Masakadza
We have managed to control the game, and we have been a bit unlucky not to pick up the wicket, but as the game progresses, there will be something for the bowlers on this wicket; Queens Sports Club is like that. But tomorrow, we will have to come up with a new plan and see if they are gonna work. We will sit down and come up with different strategies. We have bowled well in these two days. We have to continue doing that, and if we can get one wicket, it can bring a few more.
Zimbabwe Captain Craig Ervine lost the toss on Saturday, and his opposite number, Braithwaite, elected to bat.
Squads
Zimbabwe – Innocent Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine (C), Gary Balance, Tafadzwa Tsiga (Wk), Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Victor Nyauchi, Richard Ngarava.
West Indies – Kraigg Brathwaite, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach.
