Spinners afford Windies early edge

News

Cricket365
March 13, 2013

Spinners Marlon Samuels and Shane Shillingford's collective seven-wicket haul reduced Zimbabwe to a substandard 211 all out, before two key breakthroughs from seamer Kyle Jarvis initiated an early West Indian wobble – on day one of the first Test in Barbados on Tuesday.

Samuels polished off the tail to finish with flattering figures of four for 13, while Shillingford took three for 58 as the tourists lost their last eight wickets for a mere 111 runs in Bridgetown.

Opener Tino Mawoyo's 50 was a crucial knock for Zimbabwe and they were further boosted when Jarvis took two scalps in as many balls – the latter, controversially, with his seventh ball of the over – to leave the Windies on 18 for two.

The tourists, playing their first Test in more than a year, were given a pace barrage early on after winning the toss and deciding to bat.

Roach uprooted the leg stump of opener Vusi Sibanda, who departed for 12, while Hamilton Masakadza had made 17 before fending the same bowler to gully.

Mawoyo thumped Roach to the midwicket fence in the same over as Masakadza's dismissal and reached his second Test half-century with a single in front of point shortly after the lunch interval.

He failed to add to his score before he was caught bat-pad off Shillingford, while captain Brendan Taylor was bowled by Shannon Gabriel for 26.

Malcolm Waller had only contributed nine before he was adjudged lbw and although Craig Ervine looked to get the visitors on an even keel he was bowled through the gate by Marlon Samuels' first ball having made 29.

It could have been worse for Zimbabwe but Regis Chakabva was dropped by Tino Best at mid-on off Shillingford in the penultimate over before tea.

Graeme Cremer (25) relieved the pressure with two, albeit fortuitous, fours in three balls with edges past slip and gully respectively to leave Gabriel frustrated.

Cremer and Chakabva continued to thwart the bowlers but the resistance was ended when the former top edged Samuels to Darren Bravo at point.

Chakabva fell to Shillingford bat-pad for 15 in the next over, with Jarvis dismissed in a similar fashion, this time off Samuels, who finished with a four-for when Chatara spooned to Roach at mid-off.

Windies openers Chris Gayle and Kieran Powell started in a cautious manner, with the latter perishing when he was trapped in front by Jarvis, who also had nightwatchman Roach bowled with his next delivery – despite having already bowled six balls in the over.

Gayle reminded Zimbabwe of his prowess by crunching Chatara through the covers twice shortly afterwards and he will resume on 11 not out.