Match Preview: West Indies v Zimbabwe

2015 World Cup

Venue

Manuka Oval, Canberra

Team news

Both Zimbabwe and the West Indies come into this clash in Canberra with one defeat and one win on the board, though the Windies went about that very differently, losing the game they should have won, and vice versa.

Zimbabwe lost to South Africa but beat the UAE, as expected, while the Windies went down to Ireland but demolished Pakistan by 150 runs. While this isn't good, it does mean they are both coming to the capital with a recent win.

Zimbabwe are waiting on the fitness of opening batsman Chamu Chibhabha, who missed the UAE win with a knee injury after scoring a half ton against the Proteas. If he's not fit, then Regis Chakabva will likely play.

The Windies will be without Darren Bravo, who picked up a hamstring injury against Pakistan, so Jonathan Carter will come into the top order. They are also hoping that Chris Gayle, who is on a run of 20 ODIs without a ton, finds some runs.

Last encounter

The sides last faced each other in early 2013, when the Windies won the series three-nil. The last of those matches saw them win by five wickets, when chasing 212 to win. Chibhabha and Vusi Sibanda made the bulk of the runs there, while Veerasammy Permaul took three wickets. The Windies chased it down 46.2 overs with a half ton from Darren Bravo.

World Cup meetings

They did not come up against each other in 2011, but did clash in the Caribbean in 2007. The hosts won by six wickets then, as Zim were all out for 202, despite half tons from Sean Williams and Brendan Taylor. a 40 from Gayle and 44 not out from Brian Lara secured an easy win.

Key players

For Zimbabwe, batsman Sean Williams is their best bet for some big runs, even more so than Taylor right now. Williams made 76 not out against the UAE and also took two wickets, and can also rescue the knock should the top order falter.

The West Indies have not been able to rely on their big guns as yet, but they have had a saviour in Lendl Simmons. He's got two half tons in two knocks now, and could produce more of the same against this attack.

Umpires

Steve Davis and Ian Gould, Ranmore Martinesz (3rd umpire), Roshan Mahanama (match referee)

Weather

There is a chance that this fixture could see some rain. Thundershowers are forecast from mid-morning well into the afternoon, but hopefully they will stay away until the game is done. Temperatures are set to be in the low 20s all day.

Prediction

One imagines the Windies will build on the momentum from their previous win, but you never know. They could implode like they did in the first game! But no, we'll give it to the Windies, have some faith in them despite the evidence lacking.

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