Series Win Won�t Hide W.I Flaws

The West Indies are one wicket away from a face-saving overseas series win against perennial minnows Zimbabwe but the euphoria of victory won?t be enough to mask the numerous deficiencies within Brian Lara?s squad.

After the fourth day when wickets fell like ninepins in a crowded bowling alley -- 18 for 209 in all -- the West Indies will more than likely sneak away with a victory that seemed improbable after the batting collapsed spectacularly for 128.

What an upside-down match this has been. From the beginning, with Brian Lara?s 191 as the lynchpin, the West Indies? batting seized the advantage, only to cough it up with indifferent strokeplay and bad luck.

Zimbabwe, too, appeared to have grabbed control of the match with a brilliant bowling performance on a wearing pitch only to see everything fall apart at the end when they were clinging to life at 90 for nine.

The West Indies collapse was just as dramatic as Zimbabwe?s. Resuming the day on 13 for one, Andy Blignaut struck early with the wicket of Daren Ganga, driving a comfortably catch carelessly to cover.

Lara replaced him with the score on 17 for two with plans to bat Zimbabwe out of the match. But, a beauty of an inswinging yorker from Heath Streak rattled his stumps and sent the tourists into a tailspin.

Sarwan was next to go, caught at slip off Blignaut with the score on 51. Sarwan, like Ganga, played a loose drive when the team desperately needed a partnership, a mental deficiency that needs to be addressed.

It was soon 51 for five with the departure of Wavell Hinds, the first of two major umpiring errors. Hinds played defensively to one that popped from left-arm spinner Ray Price and the ball took the pad and then the arm. The bat/pad fielder Stuart Carlisle pouched the ?catch? and Hinds was sent packing.

The next umpiring error was worse -- and equally crucial. Chanderpaul, who had already counted three boundaries in a knock of 16 got one from Streak that pitched several inches outside the leg-stump. The lbw appeal was upheld, to the dismay of the left-hander, who was also the victim of a terrible first innings decision.

The procession continued with Jacobs, who drove at one from Price and got a thick edge into his pads only to see Blignaut pick up a low hard catch.

At 82 for seven, West Indies pride hinged on the batting of its bowlers. Omari Banks and Merv Dillon battled gamely for a while before Price got rid of Banks, caught at forward short-leg for 16.

All this time, Dillon was showing a broad bat but he got little support. Corey Collymore and Fidel Edwards both made ducks to leave Dillon stranded on a valuable unbeaten 27.

Zimbabwe has never chased a target as high as 233 for victory and the anxiety showed immediately. Dillon struck first, brushing the edge of Vusi Sibanda?s bat in the first over without a run on the board.

The dubious umpiring dogged the West Indian batsmen then returned to hurt the bowlers in the second over. Collymore, Jacobs and the rest of the close-in fielders were convinced they had Gripper caught low down by the ?keeper but, after a long look by the third ump, the batsman was given the benefit of the doubt.

But, the bowlers never gave up and first innings centurion Mark Vermeulen gifted his wicket to the persevering Wavell Hinds with a cross-batted swipe that cannoned back into his stumps. Hinds, who took two wickets, has emerged as a legitimate seamer capable of breaking partnerships and an asset to Lara?s bowling attack.

Off-spinner Omari Banks, who toiled manfully in the first innings, finally got a bowl on a spin-friendly track and he made full use of it, getting the wickets of Gripper, Carlisle and Blignaut ? three of Zimbabwe?s most dangerous batsmen.

Banks finished the day with bowling figures of 15-2-35-3, just reward for a hard day?s work. Collymore also bowled with aggression, picking up 2 for 19 from 10 probing overs.

Early on Sunday, barring a miracle, the West Indies will celebrate a series-clinching win. But, the sloppy batting from senior players who should know better is a depressing sign for a team, on paper, was a favourite to win easily.

The bowlers too, despite the fourth day success, was guilty of bowling too many loose deliveries throughout. Overall, the bowling lacked the killer instinct needed to put away poor sides. Against South Africa in the upcoming series, they will not get away with it.

Since the 1994-95 series against New Zealand when the West Indies won 1-10 the Caribbean side has not beaten a top-notch side away from home. The only two overseas wins have been against Zimbabwe in 2001-02 and Bangladesh last year.

In between that, the West Indies has lost away series to Australia (twice), Pakistan (twice), South Africa, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka and India.

If the all-round cricket doesn?t improve in a hurry, it doesn?t figure to get better in South Africa.