WestIndies Vs Zimbabwe
West Indies overcame a determined challenge from Zimbabwe to book their place in the Super Eights, and although the Zimbabweans are still in the competition, they are holding on by their fingernails. They need to beat Pakistan on Wednesday and then rely on having a better run-rate than Ireland.
The match never really got out of second gear, which was perhaps understandable given events in Kingston over the last 24 hours. The only time the large crowd really came to life was when Chris Gayle hammered three consecutive sixes off Tawanda Mupariwa, but the fireworks were short lived and the remainder of the proceedings were decidedly low key.
There was a very brief moment - when Marlon Samuels drove loosely to point and West Indies were 129 for 4 chasing 203 - that the spectators' lethargy turned to anxiety. But Brian Lara, aided by Dwayne Bravo, steadied the ship and then eased West Indies home. Zimbabwe had chances, twice Lara should have been run-out when a long way from home, and then late - probably too late to make any difference - Elton Chigumbura spilt a tough return catch. The final insult came when substitute Gary Brent
dropped Bravo at third man, the ball spilling out of his hands as he hit the ground.
That they eventually posted 202 for 5 was thanks to Brendan Taylor, who played a vital anchoring knock when the innings was coming apart at the seams, Sean Williams, who chanced his arm to good effect to finish with a career-best 70 not out, and Elton Chigumbura, whose boldness was rewarded even if he never really looked settled.
Full credit to Zimbabwe, who never gave up even after they slid to 59 for 4. Against Ireland their middle order and tail gave up the ghost. Here they battled. It wasn't pretty but it did a job. And when Taylor was run-out for the second match running - and last week that had been the turning point - Chigumbura took up the challenge.
Ramnaresh Sarwan drove a return catch to Ireland and Samuels holed out. But Lara is clearly determined to make his mark in this tournament, and he was not about to let the likes of Zimbabwe spoil his day out, even if it meant playing a very un-Laralike innings. It wasn't pretty, although he finished proceedings with a glorious six, but it was good enough.
Player of the match SC Williams
The match never really got out of second gear, which was perhaps understandable given events in Kingston over the last 24 hours. The only time the large crowd really came to life was when Chris Gayle hammered three consecutive sixes off Tawanda Mupariwa, but the fireworks were short lived and the remainder of the proceedings were decidedly low key.
There was a very brief moment - when Marlon Samuels drove loosely to point and West Indies were 129 for 4 chasing 203 - that the spectators' lethargy turned to anxiety. But Brian Lara, aided by Dwayne Bravo, steadied the ship and then eased West Indies home. Zimbabwe had chances, twice Lara should have been run-out when a long way from home, and then late - probably too late to make any difference - Elton Chigumbura spilt a tough return catch. The final insult came when substitute Gary Brent
dropped Bravo at third man, the ball spilling out of his hands as he hit the ground.
That they eventually posted 202 for 5 was thanks to Brendan Taylor, who played a vital anchoring knock when the innings was coming apart at the seams, Sean Williams, who chanced his arm to good effect to finish with a career-best 70 not out, and Elton Chigumbura, whose boldness was rewarded even if he never really looked settled.
Full credit to Zimbabwe, who never gave up even after they slid to 59 for 4. Against Ireland their middle order and tail gave up the ghost. Here they battled. It wasn't pretty but it did a job. And when Taylor was run-out for the second match running - and last week that had been the turning point - Chigumbura took up the challenge.
Ramnaresh Sarwan drove a return catch to Ireland and Samuels holed out. But Lara is clearly determined to make his mark in this tournament, and he was not about to let the likes of Zimbabwe spoil his day out, even if it meant playing a very un-Laralike innings. It wasn't pretty, although he finished proceedings with a glorious six, but it was good enough.
Player of the match SC Williams
