Windies in four wicket win over Zimbabwe

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC): Marlon Samuels countered Brendan Taylor’s spectacular 10th One-Day International (ODI) hundred with an audacious half-century as the Windies completed their fifth highest run chase in ODIs, to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets and haul themselves back into contention for a spot in next year’s ICC World Cup in England.

Facing a must-win scenario at Harare Sports Club, the Windies overhauled the hosts’ impressive 289 with an over to spare, with the right-handed Samuels unfurling a Man-of-the-Match top score of 86.

He got support from the stylish Shai Hope who weighed in with 76 while opener Evin Lewis struck 64, as the Windies pulled off the highest run chase of the ICC World Cup qualifiers.

Impressive 21-year-old fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani (2-36) and leg-spinner Graeme Cremer (2-63) both picked up two wickets apiece but were unable to prevent the Windies clinching the crucial win.

Earlier, Taylor stroked a magnificent 138 – his 10th ODI hundred – while opener Solomon Mire got 45 and Sean Williams 34, to help give the innings momentum on a good pitch after they had opted to bat first.

Captain and seamer Jason Holder was outstanding with four for 35 from 10 overs while new-ball partner Kemar Roach claimed three for 55 and rookie pacer Keemo Paul, two for 55.

With the victory, Windies climbed from third to the top of the standings with six points with one match remaining against Scotland.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, slipped to second place – one point behind – with one match remaining against United Arab Emirates on Thursday, while Scotland lie third also on five points.

SCOREBOARD
ZIMBABWE

S Mire b Holder 45

C Zhuwao c Paul b Holder 0

H Masakadza c wkp Hope b Holder 7

+B Taylor c Nurse b Roach 138

C Ervine b Roach 14

S Williams c Nurse b Paul 34

S Raza b Holder 22

*G Cremer c & b Roach 0

T Chisoro c Nurse b Paul 18

K Jarvis run out 1

B Muzarabani not out 0

Extras (lb3, w7) 10

TOTAL (all out, 50 overs) 289

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-28, 3-79, 4-155, 5-234, 6-246, 7-250, 8-284, 9-288, 10-289.

Bowling: Roach 10-0-55-3, Holder 10-0-35-4, Paul 10-0-55-2, Bishoo 10-0-73-0, Nurse 4-0-28-0, Powell 4-0-26-0, Gayle 2-0-14-0.

WEST INDIES

C Gayle c Jarvis b Muzarabani 17

E Lewis c & b Sikander Raza 64

+S Hope c Sikander Raza b Williams 76

M Samuels c wkp Taylor b Muzarabani 86

S Hetmyer st Taylor b Cremer 13

*J Holder c Sikandar Raza b Cremer 6

R Powell not out 15

A Nurse not out 8

Extras (lb1, w4) 5

TOTAL (6 wkts, 49 overs) 290

Did not bat: K Paul, D Bishoo, K Roach.

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-110, 3-245, 4-249, 5-263, 6-265.

Bowling: Jarvis 9-0-49-0, Sikandar Raza 7-0-58-1, Muzarabani 9-0-36-2, Cremer 10-0-63-2, Chisoro 7-0-38-0, Williams 7-0-45-1.

Result: West Indies won by four wickets.

Points: West Indies 2, Zimbabwe 0.

Man-of-the-Match: Marlon Samuels.

Toss: Zimbabwe.

Umpires: M Gough, S Fry; A Holdstock.