JAYSON KARAN
AN opening double century by openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul lifted the West Indies into ascendancy against Zimbabwe in the first Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday.
In control for large periods across day one and two, the pair’s biggest threat seemingly came from inclement weather, though the rains only could delay the success of the pair who were both at their best with the bat.
The visitor finished on 221 runs for no loss in 89 overs on Sunday. Only thirty-eight overs were played on day two as the match was delayed by rain.
Because of the wet outfield on Sunday day two of the series, the play started after tea with the Windies resuming on 112 runs without a loss in fifty-one overs. The opening batsmen were on fifty-five runs after early stumps on Saturday day one due to the rains.
Brathwaite scored his 12th Test century while Chanderpaul notched up his maiden five day hundred in his third match. It was the first time that West Indies openers have both scored centuries in the same innings.
The Windies Skipper, Brathwaite, finished on 116 runs from 246 deliveries while his opening partner, Chanderpaul, managed to get 101 runs off 291 balls in what was a great display of pure Test cricket by the two openers.
The pair were in form as they managed to put a 221 partnership. This is the highest partnership for the Caribbeans in Test cricket against the Chevrons.
After spending a day and half bowling without taking a wicket, the Chevrons spinner Wellington Masakadza who bowled well with six maiden overs conceded thirty runs from sixteen overs is very confident with the Chevrons bowling and hopes they will manage to grab some wicket in day three.
“It is hard to bowl first in the Test series, but as we proceed with the matches I hope on Monday we will be able to get some needed wickets,” said Wellington Masakadza.
“I believe that we have bowled well and we want to continue with that momentum and to never give up as we will do our best on day three,” added Masakadza.
A sunny day is projected on Monday and promises to have a full day’s play without an interruptions.