WEST Indies remained in firm control of proceedings after the second day of the three-day warm cricket match against Zimbabwe XI at Bulawayo Athletic Club yesterday, as they lead by 465 runs.
The Caribbean side, batting first finished on 517 runs in 132.5 overs courtesy of two centuries from captain, Kraigg Brathwaite and Joshua Da Silva who both retired not out after reaching their milestones. Zimbabwe XI struggled in their first innings, ending day two on 52/5 in 23.2.
West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach sends down a delivery against Zimbabwe XI
Brathwaite made 116 runs off 170 deliveries while Da Silva notched up exactly 100 runs from 149 balls to propel their side to a huge total. Roston Chase remained undefeated on 87 runs as Devon Thomas fell just one run short of a half century.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kyle Mayers scored 46 runs each in the match where the hosts toiled to get wickets.
Left arm spinner Milton Shumba took the most wickets for Zimbabwe XI, finishing with figures of 3/80 in 11.5 overs while veteran seamer Donald Tiripano had 2/24 in 13.3 overs. Tanaka Chivanga, Wessly Madhevere and Priviledge Chesa all took one wicket each.
None of the Zimbabwean batsmen had crossed 20 runs at the time play was called off with the high scorer being Timycen Maruma on an unbeaten 15 runs. The five wickets that fell for Zimbabwe were Tanunurwa Makoni (13), Kudzai Maunze (0), Joylord Gumbie (11), Wessly Madhevere (0) and Tony Munyonga (1). Maruma and Shumba were in the middle at the close of play.
Zimbabwe and West Indies are set to face off in a Test match for the first time since 2017 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the first five-day contest taking place February 4-8. The Chevrons have never won a five-day contest against the Caribbean side having played 10 matches before. West Indies have won seven of the matches whilst three were draws.
Zimbabwe, most of whose players were in Harare for the white ball series against Ireland, is expected to arrive in Bulawayo today as they also look to begin their preparations.
Zimbabwe will be without the services of Sikandar Raza who was allowed to play franchise cricket in the International League T20 (ILT20) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Test captain Sean Williams who got injured during the white ball series against Ireland in Harare.
West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel sends down a delivery against Zimbabwe XI
Also absent will be all-rounder Ryan Burl who has gone back to Bangladesh to play in the Bangladesh Premier League where he turns out for the Sylhet Strikers.
Head coach, Dave Houghton is already in Bulawayo and has been spending time at BAC keeping an eye on the warm up match as he is set to announce his final squad during the course of the week.
Milton Shumba had three wickets for 80 runs in 11.5 overs
Chances are high there will be a number of debutants and some recalls when the two sides square off on Saturday, with some of the players in the Zimbabwe XI to face the Windies. – The Chronicle
