Zimpapers Logo

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
HALF centuries by Shai Hope, Kraigg Brathwaite and Roston Chase put West Indies in a commanding position on the opening day of their three-day warm up cricket match against Zimbabwe A at Bulawayo Athletic Club yesterday.

Hope top scored with 85, Chase also called time on his innings on 79 while opener Brathwaite fell for 53 as West Indies closed the first day on 301 for the loss of six wickets in their first innings.

West Indies did not get a great start to their innings after they won the toss and opted to bat when Kieran Powell fell for seven runs, dismissed by pace bowler Michael Chinouya, caught by Tarisai Musakanda.

Brathwaite and Kyle Hope followed with the tourists’ score on 94. Seamer William Mashinge trapped Brathwaite leg before wicket while Hope fell to leg spinner Brandon Mavuta, caught behind by Richmond Mutumbami.

Hope and Chase put on 175 runs for the third wicket before they retired out in the 77th over of the West Indies innings.

Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich (10) and skipper Jason Holder (3) were the West Indies batsmen at the crease at the close of play last night.

Chinouya finished the opening day with two wickets for 55 runs in 19 overs, six of them being maidens. Mashinge and Mavuta took one wicket each.

The match enters its second day this morning with West Indies looking to add more on the board while Zimbabwe A will be eager to remove the remaining batsmen in order to get an opportunity to bat.

A number of players in Zimbabwe A are looking to impress national team coach Heath Streak ahead of the first Test against West Indies, which gets underway at Queens Sports Club on Saturday. — @Mdawini_29