World cup hosts West Indies qualified the super eight stage with a lacklustre performance over Zimbabwe. This victory was far from the brilliance they showed against Pakistan. With the match swinging from one side to another finally came to the hosts.
The match started with Zimbabwe batting first and starting with a few hiccups. The opening batsman gave in early. The score read 2-2. Soon, it was to be 59-4. The side could have easily collapsed, but thanks to a lackluster bowling by the West Indian bowlers and a fight back by the two new comers Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams, the score reached to a respectable total of 202-5. The youngsters showed the confidence not to be mowed down. Though, the Indies bowlers too contributed with a few extras.
Chasing a modest total, the West Indian innings began with a cautious start. Openers Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted very slowly together, but built the platform for the win with a first-wicket stand of 73. Chanderpaul was the first to go when at 21 he was caught by Sibanda at the lone slip of the bowling of Chigumbura. Gayle soon followed his partner the very next over, at the same score with an excellent catch by Sibanda again. Zimbabwe was back in the game. Then, the wickets of Sarwan (12) and an impressive-looking Samuels (28) followed, the score reading 129-4.
All that was required was the brilliance of Captain Brian Lara, who though not at his classy best was to be run out on two occasions, but luck was on his side and he survived. The short innings helped him score 1000 runs in world cup cricket, the seventh player to do so. He alongwith countryman Dwayne Bravo took the match away from the Zimbabweans with an unbeaten stand of 75, with zimbabawe missing a few chances here and there.
Finally, the West Indian camp was victorious. Though, this victory was not as exciting as the last game against Pakistan, yet it enabled the hosts to sail through to the super eight. From here on the more tough journey begins and the West Indies will be looking forward to improving their performance. For Zimbabwe, next game against Pakistan will be a do-or-die encounter, a victory could keep them in the tournament else an early exit is imminent.
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