It took just one and a half sessions for Zimbabwe's bubble to burst on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies. The feel-good factor that has permeated Zimbabwe cricket since Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis' returns were confirmed last month swept through the opening day, when they bowled the West Indies out for 219.
But on Day 2, the reality of how much is still to be done came crashing home as Zimbabwe succumbed for 159 with Devendra Bishoo claiming his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. While Bishoo wheeled away admirably and was full value for his 5 for 79 on a turning wicket, Zimbabwe's batsmen were too often guilty of gifting their wickets away.
With the host's innings lasting just 61.3 overs, the West Indies were able to build on their lead in the final session, with Kraigg Brathwaite and Kyle Hope going some way to atoning for their first-innings failues in an unbroken partnership of 63. That allowed the tourists to close the second day on 88 for one, leading by 148.
Legspinner Afy Fletcher's career-best 5 for 12 clinched the series for West Indies women, as Sri Lanka women slumped to 107 and suffered a 47-run defeat in the second T20I in Coolidge. Fletcher's returns were the joint second-best for West Indies in women's T20Is, and all five wickets came during Sri Lanka's collapse from 85 for 3 to 107 all out. Before that batting implosion, Sri Lanka's openers, particularly Yasoda Mendis (22 off 20 balls), had given them a promising start in a chase of 155, adding 33 runs in 4.2 overs. However, that start came undone after a couple of run-outs. Chamari Atapattu tried to steady the innings with 30, but her run-out left the score at 93 for 6 and Sri Lanka folded quickly after that. West Indies' total of 154 for 6 was led by Stafanie Taylor's 41-ball 49, with support from Deandra Dottin (27 off 19), Kycia A Knight (23 not out), Britney Cooper (23). Their performances ensured that despite a wicket in the first over, West Indies were able to maintain a scoring rate of around seven for most of their innings. The third match of the series will be played on Sunday. While West Indies will eye another series sweep, Sri Lanka will want to secure their first win of the limited-overs tour.
FLORENCE HALL—Sri Lankan A team left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara claimed a 12-wicket match haul to send West Indies A crashing to a heavy 280-run loss inside three days, in the second four-day “Test” yesterday.
Asked to chase an improbable target of 425 at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, the hosts tumbled to 144 all out in their second innings to follow up their meek first innings of 137 on Friday’s second day.
Only the in-form Sunil Ambris with 41 showed any resistance as Windies A failed to string together a single decent partnership to resist the resurgent Sri Lankans.
The right-hander was the only batsman to pass 20, single-handedly carrying the fight before he was ninth out after facing 76 balls in just under 2-1/4 hours at the crease and hitting four fours.
Earlier, Sri Lanka A declared their innings on 267 for nine after resuming the day on 213 for six. Roshen Silva, unbeaten overnight on 85, added just one but Wanindu Hasaranga pummelled an unbeaten 50 off 62 deliveries with six fours, to inflict more misery on Windies A.
On a day when Zimbabwe were attempting to look forward to a brighter future, they profited from returning to a few old strengths. The Zimbabwe of old were known for their bowling and fielding discipline, which often made up for any lack of incision in their attack. On Saturday (October 21) that returned, stifling the Windies through the first half of the day before the spinners ran riot in the final session.
In the end Graeme Cremer and Sean Williams shared seven wickets as the West Indies were bowled out for 219, as they made the most of a pitch that provided spin from the very first session. Four of those dismissals were claimed by Craig Ervine at short leg, as the West Indian batsman played down the wrong line.
With Williams taking 3 for 20 and Sikandar Raza also picking up a wicket, Zimbabwe's part-time spinners played their part. The onus is now likely to fall on legspinner Devendra Bishoo to strike back, but he will not have as much support as Cremer, who finished with 4 for 64.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies advised on Friday that it has approved a change to the dates for the Barbados Pride home match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the Digicel Regional 4-Day Championship.
The match will now be contested on November 1, 2, 4 and 5 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
The change has occurred, due to the state funeral of former Governor-General of Barbados, Sir Clifford Husbands, scheduled to take place on November 3.
