| 0.0 : Hello folks! Welcome to our coverage of the 1st Test between Zimbabwe and West Indies from Bulawayo. The hosts would be on a high as their resurgence in the longest form of the game would get a shot in the arm with the addition of Brendan Taylor and Kyle Jarvis. They have plenty of options going into the first game in the series. West Indies, on the other hand, come here to play a Test for the first time after 2003. They would head into this game believing that if they could play the way they di |
| Ian Bishop doing the pitch report reckons that it is a fairly even surface, no live grass to speak about. He expects it to be a good one for batting, with more assistance for spinners later. Team winning the toss will want to bat first but the ball might swing thanks to the overcast conditions. |
| West Indies win the toss and opt to bat. No surprises there. |
| Jason Holder says that the wicket seems a bit dry and hence they would like to make first use of it and bat. Reckons that it is important to keep progressing with their game and also pull themselves up. States that they need to be consistent and they'll be up there. Informs that they are going in with 3 fast bowlers and a spinner along with 6 batters. Regarding Hetmyer, he opines that although he has been doing well, they felt that they should give the selected guys another go. |
| Graeme Cremer reckons that it might swing around but they would have batted first anyway. Expects it to take turn later in the game. Calls it an important series as they could not take the team over the line in Sri Lanka but want to do well at home against West Indies. Feels that runs on the board are important to then take 20 wickets. Hopes that spinners step up for them. Is happy about the return of Taylor and Jarvis as they bring a lot of experience to the side. |
| Time for the national anthems. The West Indies team anthem is played first, followed by Zimbabwe's. |
| It's time for play to get underway. Everybody observes a moment of silence for the passing of Mr. Alwyn Pichanik, the former Zimbabwe Cricket President. Solomon Mire is handed his first Test cap by Hamilton Mazakadza. The players and the umpires take their respective spots on the ground. Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell stride out to open the batting for the tourists. For the hosts, Kyle Jarvis, the man who is returning back to international cricket for Zimbabwe, will run in with the new ball |
| 0.1 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Jarvis steams in and lands it in line of the stumps. Brathwaite gets going straightaway after playing it through where short leg would have been. Why wouldn't you have a close-in fielder there in the first over? |
| 0.2 : K Jarvis to Powell, Lands it fuller outside off, Powell shoulders arms to let it go. |
| 0.3 : K Jarvis to K Powell, FOUR! Powell gets going with a boundary, the first of the game. Bowled full outside off, the batsman drives it off the front foot through covers for a boundary. Surprisingly, even after the rains that the outfield has had, the ball races away to the fence. |
| 0.4 : K Jarvis to Powell, Bowled outside off, Powell points his bat skywards to let it go. |
| 0.5 : K Jarvis to Powell, No shot offered to this delivery outside off. |
| 0.6 : K Jarvis to Powell, Beaten! Served outside off, Powell goes for the drive and gets beaten. Relatively good start for both the sides. |
| Chris Mpofu to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : C Mpofu to Brathwaite, Mpofu begins with a full length delivery around middle and leg. Brathwaite clips it away off his pads and strolls to the other side. |
| Ian Bishop on air opines that it is important for Zimbabwe to see whether any swing is available upfront by bowling full. If there's none, they'd do well to drag their lengths back. |
| 1.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, Powell seems to be watchful to start with. He covers his stumps and watches the ball go to the keeper as he lets that go. |
| 1.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, Landed outside off again, Kieran points his bat skywards and lets that go. |
| A huge appeal by Zimbabweans early in the game against Powell. The umpire stays unmoved. The hosts seem excited and they opt to go for the review. The impact could be an issue here. |
| 1.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, Not Out! Zimbabweans in their excitement, lose a review early in the game. Mpofu bowls it full around off, Powell brings his front foot forward to let that go. But the ball came in just a touch to rap his front pad and then go to the keeper. The players appeal but the umpire stays put. Sensing a wicket there, they opt for the review. Hawk Eye shows that the ball missed the stumps by a decent margin. The hosts would have been excited as the ball tailed in a bit. But this r |
| 1.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Mpofu bowls it outside off, Powell covers his stumps and leaves it alone. |
| 1.6 : C Mpofu to Powell, Length delivery in line of the stumps, Powell stays in the crease and blocks it. A happening over this. |
| 2.1 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, On a length around off, Brathwaite stays in the crease and defends it. |
| 2.2 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Sprayed down the leg side, Kraigg looks to flick but misses. |
| 2.3 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, This ball is landed outside off, Brathwaite doesn't bother playing that and lets it go. |
| 2.4 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Length delivery around off and middle, defended off the back foot by Brathwaite. |
| 2.5 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, A touch fuller around off, Brathwaite gets it off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 2.6 : K Jarvis to K Brathwaite, Fuller length ball outside off, Brathwaite strides forward to defend but ends up getting an outside edge that goes on the bounce to gully. |
| 3.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Full ball outside off, Powell doesn't bother fiddling with that. |
| 3.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, Length delivery outside off, Powell moves away from the line and shoulders arms. |
| 3.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, Similar delivery outside off, Kieran just lets it be. |
| 3.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, A good shot and a good effort by the bowler. Fuller delivery in line of the stumps, Powell drives it back. Mpofu gets low down to his left and makes a half-stop. No runs conceded there. |
| 3.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Landed outside off, Powell has no intentions of playing that. |
| 3.6 : C Mpofu to Powell, On a length in line of the stumps, Powell gets behind the line of the ball and pushes it back towards the bowler. |
| 4.1 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Jarvis spears it fuller around off, Brathwaite plays it off the front foot towards mid on. |
| 4.2 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, On a length well outside off, Kraigg doesn't bother playing that and lets it go. |
| 4.3 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Similar ball, Brathwaite watches the ball go straight into the keeper's gloves. |
| 4.4 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Length ball outside off, the right-handed opener points his bat skywards to let that go. |
| 4.5 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Full length delivery in line of the stumps, Brathwaite strides forward and blocks it off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 4.6 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, This ball is played towards mid-wicket from the crease. |
| 5.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Length delivery outside off, Powell covers the sticks and lets that go to the keeper. |
| 5.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, Chistopher bowls it outside off, Powell shoulders arms to let it go. |
| 5.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, Mpofu bowls it on a length on the pads, Powell nudges it towards fine leg for a run. |
| 5.4 : C Mpofu to Brathwaite, Bowled outside off, this ball is played towards point. |
| 5.5 : C Mpofu to Brathwaite, Another delivery bowled outside off, Brathwaite points his bat skywards to let that go. |
| 5.6 : C Mpofu to Brathwaite, Length ball in line of the stumps, Kraigg pushes it towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.1 : K Jarvis to Powell, Good judgement shown by Powell there. Back of a length delivery around off, it moved in a touch after pitching. The southpaw shouldered arms to that. The ball passed just over the stumps. He left it based on the length mainly. |
| 6.2 : K Jarvis to Powell, Another back of a length ball just outside off, Powell yet again shoulders arms to that. This passes closer to the off stump. |
| 6.3 : K Jarvis to Powell, Fuller around leg, Powell looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. |
| 6.4 : K Jarvis to Powell, Kyle lands it outside off, Powell just lets it be. |
| Interesting from Ian Bishop on-air. He observes that Jarvis is holding the seam upright which is helping him swing the ball a touch more than Mpofu who is often holding it cross seam. County cricket experience helping him? Three slips in place for him. |
| 6.5 : K Jarvis to Powell, FOUR! First boundary since ages! Glorious drive that. Pristine timing there. Jarvis bowls it a touch fuller around off, Powell times the straight drive perfectly as the ball races away to the fence. |
| 6.6 : K Jarvis to Powell, This ball is outside off, left alone by Powell. |
| 7.1 : C Mpofu to Brathwaite, Fuller around off, Kraigg strides forward and blocks it towards mid on. |
| 7.2 : C Mpofu to Brathwaite, Brathwaite drives it towards mid on and crosses over to the other end. |
| 7.3 : C Mpofu to K Powell, Mpofu runs in from the other end, Powell turns it through wide mid on for a brace. |
| 7.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, Length ball outside off, Powell doesn't fiddle with that. |
| 7.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Similar delivery outside off, Kieran shoulders arms to let that go. |
| 7.6 : C Mpofu to Powell, Another ball outside off is left alone by the southpaw. |
| 8.1 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Fuller delivery around off, pushed towards covers off the front foot. |
| 8.2 : K Jarvis to Brathwaite, Back of a length ball around leg, Brathwaite looks to flick that but misses. |
| 8.3 : K Jarvis to K Brathwaite, OUT! Jarvis' consistent lines have earned him a wicket. Beautiful spell of seam bowling this. He lands it on a length around off, Brathwaite looks to push at it away from the body. The ball nips away a touch to catch the outside edge of the bat and Chakabva behind the wicket gleefully accepts the offering. End of Brathwaite's stay at the crease, which was more about blocking rather than looking to score. Zimbabwe strike early. |
| Kyle Hope walks in next for West Indies. Remember, he's not had a good start in Test cricket and yet he has the team management's backing. Will he come good today? A wicket in time for the hosts, they have often struggled to take wickets with the new ball. |
| 8.4 : K Jarvis to Hope, Hope is welcomed with a bouncer. He ducks and lets that go to the keeper. |
| 8.5 : K Jarvis to Hope, Jarvis spears it outside off, hope doesn't bother to put bat to ball there. |
| 8.6 : K Jarvis to Hope, FOUR! That should set the dangling nerves for Hope straight. He's off the mark with a good looking shot. On a length around off and middle, the batsman times his push down the ground past the diving mid on. Gets a boundary as the ball races away to the fence. |
| 9.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Mpofu continues round the wicket to the left hander and serves it around off, Powell shows the full face of the bat to defend that. |
| 9.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, Bowled outside off, Kieran lets it be. |
| 9.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, On a length around off, Kieran stands tall and blocks it from the crease. |
| 9.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, This is too wide to make Powell play. |
| 9.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Hurled closer to the stumps, Powell pushes it towards point. |
| 9.6 : C Mpofu to Powell, Powell shoulders arms to this ball outside off. A maiden for Mpofu. |
| 10.1 : K Jarvis to Hope, Fuller outside off, met with a solid forward defense from Hope. |
| 10.2 : K Jarvis to Hope, Fuller outside off, Hope covers his stumps and shoulders arms. This ball moved in a bit after pitching. |
| Jarvis has generally been bowling a fuller length to the right-handed batsmen while he shortens his length to the southpaw. The fielder at gully moves to third slip in lieu of the lengths that he's bowling to the right hander. |
| 10.3 : K Jarvis to Hope, Hope pushes this towards mid-wicket. |
| 10.4 : K Jarvis to Hope, Length ball around off, Hope flicks it to the leg side. |
| 10.5 : K Jarvis to Hope, Jarvis straightens his line and bowls it around middle and leg. Hope works it in front of square on the leg side and gets a couple. |
| 10.6 : K Jarvis to Hope, This ball is tucked off his pads towards fine leg for a run. |
| Solomon Mire is brought in to bowl. Remember, he is on Test debut and an early strike would boost his confidence to no limits. |
| 11.1 : S Mire to Hope, Begins with a fuller length delivery in line of the stumps, Kyle pushes it towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 11.2 : S Mire to Hope, Mire bangs it short in line of the stumps, Hope taps it towards short leg and wants a run. Decides against it after his partner denies it. |
| 11.3 : S Mire to Hope, In the air but safe! Fuller ball around off, Hope hits it aerially towards wide mid on. Jarvis runs to his right, dives and keeps the batsmen down to one. Powell was ambling to his end and seeing the effort, he rushes to make it in. |
| 11.4 : S Mire to K Powell, Short ball again, pulled away to fine leg for a run. |
| 11.5 : S Mire to Hope, Hurled on the pads, Hope flicks it away towards square leg. |
| 11.6 : S Mire to Hope, FOUR! Mire is overdoing this short-ball stuff and pays the price this time. Bowled in line of the stumps, Hope stands tall and pulls it away through square leg for a boundary. |
| Chris Mpofu gets a change of ends. Will that bring change of fortunes for him? |
| 12.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Mpofu runs in from round the wicket to Powell and bowls it around off. Kieran strides forward and blocks. |
| 12.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, Hurled outside off, Powell shoulders arms to let that go. |
| 12.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, Another delivery outside off, Powell points his bat skywards to let that go. |
| 12.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, This ball is closer to the batsman who has to play it. Powell pushes it towards the fielder at backward point. |
| 12.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Bowled full outside off, the southpaw covers his stumps and lets it go. |
| 12.6 : C Mpofu to Powell, Another ball outside off, Powell lets it go unharmed. |
| Drinks have been taken. This has been a good hour of Test cricket. The hosts have maintained the pressure on the tourists by picking up a wicket. What's more, the scoring rate shows that there haven't been many opportunities for West Indies to score. The visitors would look to consolidate further without losing a wicket while Zimbabwe would strive for the exact opposite. |
| 13.1 : S Mire to K Hope, FOUR! What are the slip and the keeper doing? That's a certain opportunity that has gone abegging. Mire runs in and bowls it on a length around off. Kyle Hope pushes at it without much feet movement. He gets a thick outside edge that flies between the two fielders and races away to the fence. On second look, it seems that it was more Chakabva's catch. |
| 13.2 : S Mire to Hope, Mire bowls it fuller in line of the stumps. Hope covers the line of the ball and defends it off the front foot. |
| 13.3 : S Mire to Hope, Hurled outside off, Hope strides forward to keep it out. |
| 13.4 : S Mire to Hope, Length delivery around off, Hope camps back and blocks it. |
| 13.5 : S Mire to K Hope, Very full ball around off, Hope gets it off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 13.6 : S Mire to Hope, This delivery is pushed towards covers. |
| 14.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Mpofu hurls it on a fuller length in line of the stumps, Powell pushes it down the ground. The mid on fielder intercepts that after running to his right. |
| 14.2 : C Mpofu to K Powell, Speared around off, Powell drives it to the cover fielder. |
| 14.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, Kieran stands tall and plays this from the crease. |
| 14.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, FOUR! Shot! A bit of Darren Bravo in it, exclaims my colleague. It is a full ball outside off, Powell gets forward and drives it on the up over cover-point for a boundary. After being at the crease for some time, he seems to be sure about the deliveries he needs to attack. |
| 14.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Length ball around off, Kieran stays in the crease and defends. |
| 14.6 : C Mpofu to Powell, Full outside off, Powell covers the stumps and lets it go. |
| 15.1 : S Mire to Hope, A yorker outside off, Hope stays in the crease and digs it out towards gully. |
| 15.2 : S Mire to Hope, Length delivery outside off, Hope stays back and cuts it straight to the fielder at point. |
| There is a muted appeal for caught-behind from Zimbabwe against Hope. The umpire stays unmoved but the hosts opt to go for the review. |
| 15.3 : S Mire to Hope, OUT! What a review! Taylor is the man who convinced his skipper to opt for the review. It is a peach of a delivery on a length outside off. Hope hangs his bat at it and the ball goes to the keeper. The players put in a muted appeal but the umpire stays put. The players decide to take it upstairs, which seemed a tad surprising as there didn't seem to be anything to the naked eye. And here's where the technology comes to the rescue. Snicko detects a thin edge that brings joy |
| Shai Hope replaces his brother Kyle at the crease. He looked very good and was among the runs on the England tour. Will he be able to carry that form here? |
| 15.4 : S Mire to Hope, Bowled on the pads, Hope clips it off his pads for a brace. The ball goes through backward square leg. |
| 15.5 : S Mire to Hope, Hope gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it off the back foot. |
| 15.6 : S Mire to Hope, Fuller outside off, driven towards covers, where the fielder drives to prevent runs for the side. |
| 16.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Mpofu comes over the wicket to Powell and bowls it in line of the stumps. Powell gets behind the line of the ball and defends it. |
| 16.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, On a length around middle, pushed back towards the bowler from the crease. |
| 16.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, Hurled around off and middle, blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 16.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, Now Chris runs in from round the wicket and spears it around off. Kieran defends it off his front foot. |
| 16.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Similar delivery around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| 16.6 : C Mpofu to Powell, Short ball outside off, cut straight to the point fielder. |
| 17.1 : S Mire to Hope, Mire lands it outside off, Hope strides forward and blocks it off the front foot. |
| 17.2 : S Mire to Hope, This ball is outside off, Hope leaves it alone. |
| 17.3 : S Mire to Hope, Good shot. Length delivery outside off, Hope punches it on the up through covers for a brace. |
| 17.4 : S Mire to Hope, A touch fuller around off, Hope hangs back and defends it with an angled bat. |
| 17.5 : S Mire to Hope, Hurled outside off, Hope shoulders arms to that. |
| 17.6 : S Mire to Hope, Full length ball around off and middle, Hope stays in the crease and bunts it. |
| Kyle Jarvis is back for another spell. |
| 18.1 : K Jarvis to Powell, Jarvis steams in from over the wicket and spears it full around off. Kieran strides forward and defends. |
| 18.2 : K Jarvis to Powell, Length delivery on the pads, Powell tucks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 18.3 : K Jarvis to Hope, Hurled around off, Hope stays back to play it to point. |
| 18.4 : K Jarvis to Hope, Fuller around off, Hope gets it off the outer half towards cover-point. |
| 18.5 : K Jarvis to S Hope, FOUR! Lucky boundary. Mire bowls it on a shorter length around off and middle, Hope camps back and turns it to the leg side. Gets it off the inner half and the ball races away through square leg. Ervine gives it a chase from mid-wicket but comes second best. |
| 18.6 : K Jarvis to Hope, This ball is driven nicely to the fielder at mid off. |
| 19.1 : S Mire to K Powell, Full delivery around off, Powell strides forward to drive it to covers. |
| 19.2 : S Mire to K Powell, Bowled around middle and leg, turned towards mid on. |
| 19.3 : S Mire to Powell, Mire lands it around leg, Kieran drives it towards mid on. |
| 19.4 : S Mire to Powell, Bowled outside off, Powell covers his stumps and shoulders arms to that. The ball goes on the bounce to the keeper. |
| 19.5 : S Mire to K Powell, Fuller around off, driven to mid off. |
| 19.6 : S Mire to Powell, Hurled around middle and leg, Kieran gets a run off the inner half of the blade as the ball rolls towards fine leg. |
| 20.1 : K Jarvis to Powell, Bowls it on a length around middle and leg, Powell taps it towards square leg and collects a run. |
| 0.0 : The wicket of Brathwaite that Jarvis got was a reward of persistence. In the deliveries leading upto that dismissal, the bowler was bowling it wider of the stumps. As he got closer to the stumps, Kraigg had to play at those. And cleverly, Jarvis slipped one just away from the stumps, which the opener ended poking at and that proved fatal. |
| 20.2 : K Jarvis to Hope, This ball is played off the back foot and onto the ground. |
| 20.3 : K Jarvis to Hope, Speared outside off, Hope covers his stumps and shoulders arms to that. |
| 20.4 : K Jarvis to Hope, Similar delivery outside off, Shai shows no interest in fiddling with that. |
| 20.5 : K Jarvis to Hope, On a length around off, Hope keeps it out off his back foot. |
| 20.6 : K Jarvis to Hope, Similar delivery in line of the stumps, Shai stays back and defends it from the crease. |
| Time for spin! Graeme Cremer introduces himself into the attack. |
| 21.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Turn and bounce! Cremer begins with a lovely tossed up delivery that starts from around middle and leg. Powell goes back to flick but the spin on the ball means that he ends up missing it. Good take by the keeper. |
| 21.2 : G Cremer to Powell, Floated around middle, Powell goes back and turns it towards mid on for a run. |
| 21.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Flatter around off, Shai pushes it towards covers and rotates strike. |
| 21.4 : G Cremer to Powell, Served in line of the stumps, Powell hits it back towards the bowler. |
| 21.5 : G Cremer to Powell, This is bowled on the pads, Powell works it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 21.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Floated around off, Hope looks to block but gets an outer edge towards third man for a run. |
| Sikandar Raza to roll his arm over. |
| 22.1 : S Raza to S Hope, FOUR! Raza is welcomed with a boundary. He tosses it up outside off, Hope strides forward and drives it through covers. The ball races away to the fence. |
| 22.2 : S Raza to Hope, Flatter down the leg side, Hope looks to pull it away but misses. |
| 22.3 : S Raza to Hope, This is looped up in line of the stumps, Hope defends it from the crease. |
| 22.4 : S Raza to Hope, Hope flicks this one off his pads and collects a single as the ball rolls away through square leg. |
| 22.5 : S Raza to Powell, Flatter outside off, Powell plays it off the back foot towards covers. That stayed a tad low. |
| 22.6 : S Raza to Powell, Powell looks to cut this one but gets it off the outer edge towards backward point. |
| 23.1 : G Cremer to Hope, Fuller around off, driven towards covers. |
| 23.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Cremer floats it fuller around off and middle, Shai drives it towards mid off and takes a run. |
| A leg slip in place. |
| 23.3 : G Cremer to Powell, Served in line of the stumps, Kieran blocks by getting right behind the line of the ball. |
| 23.4 : G Cremer to Powell, Huge appeal but turned down! Cremer tosses this up around off, Powell gets down to sweep but misses. Gets rapped on the front pad which makes the Zimbabwe players go up in appeal. The umpire stays put. Hawk Eye shows that the impact would have been umpire's call even though the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. |
| 23.5 : G Cremer to Powell, This ball is tapped towards covers for a quick run. |
| 23.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Floated outside off, driven nicely towards covers. A dive there prevents any run. |
| 24.1 : S Raza to Powell, Flatter around off, Powell punches it through covers for a single. |
| 24.2 : S Raza to Hope, Tossed up around off and turning in, Shai plays it with the turn towards mid on for a run. |
| 24.3 : S Raza to Powell, Floated around off, pushed towards covers. |
| 24.4 : S Raza to Powell, Edged but safe! Loopy ball around off, Powell goes back to defend. Gets a thick edge past slip for a run. He should have been forward to that actually. |
| 24.5 : S Raza to Hope, Raza is extracting good turn here. Loops it up around middle, the ball spins down leg past the bat of Hope who looks to flick. The keeper couldn't collect and concedes two byes. |
| 24.6 : S Raza to Hope, Shai flicks this ball off his pads towards square leg for a run. |
| 25.1 : G Cremer to Hope, Tossed up in line of the stumps, Hope lunges forward to block that. |
| 25.2 : G Cremer to Hope, This ball is defended off the back foot. |
| 25.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Floated around off, pushed towards covers for a run. |
| 25.4 : G Cremer to Powell, This is served on the pads, flicked towards backward square leg. |
| 25.5 : G Cremer to Powell, Loopy ball around off, Powell lunges forward to block. |
| 25.6 : G Cremer to Powell, Floats a very full delivery around middle and leg, Powell drives it towards deep mid on and crosses over. That's LUNCH, DAY 1! |
| Even session of Test cricket! Zimbabwe would be fairly happy with what they have achieved up to this point. Their seamers were right on the money upfront. Jarvis, their experienced campaigner gave them an early breakthrough. He bowled immaculate lines and length. The debutant, Mire, also looked disciplined and earned a victim early in his Test career. The visiting batsmen need to apply themselves well as there aren't great demons on the pitch. Powell is looking confident and he would look to mak |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the post-lunch session. The men concerned make their way out to the middle. Kieran Powell and Shai Hope walk out to resume their innings. Kyle Jarvis will start off proceedings with the ball. Two slips in place. |
| 26.1 : K Jarvis to Powell, Starts with a length ball around leg, Powell shapes to clip it but is hit on his pads. The bowler is appealing for an lbw but the umpire stays put. Replays show he was right as there was an inside edge there. |
| 26.2 : K Jarvis to Powell, Powell stays back and defends this length ball. |
| 26.3 : K Jarvis to Powell, Full and outside off, Powell drives it on the up towards point. |
| 26.4 : K Jarvis to Powell, This one is pitched outside leg, Powell fails to clip it through the leg side and the players put in another appeal. The umpire though is alert and rules it not out. That clearly pitched outside leg. |
| 26.5 : K Jarvis to Powell, Full and outside off, driven towards short cover. Ervine, the fielder parries it towards mid off who covers it well and keeps them to a single. |
| 26.6 : K Jarvis to Hope, Back of a length outside off, Hope defends it watchfully. |
| Graeme Cremer to bowl from the other end. A slip, short leg and a leg slip in place. |
| 27.1 : G Cremer to K Powell, Floats it outside off, Powell looks to drive but gets it off the inner half towards the on side for a quick single. |
| 27.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Lands it around leg, Hope stays back and plays it with the spin watchfully. |
| 27.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Shai Hope lunges forward and blocks this one. |
| 27.4 : G Cremer to Hope, Looped outside off, skids on, Hope goes back to defend but is hurried into the shot. That came back into the batsman very late. |
| 27.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Turn! Flatter outside off, turns away, left alone by Shai. Cremer is getting good purchase here. |
| 27.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Shai Hope gets across and defends this ball back down the wicket. |
| 28.1 : K Jarvis to Powell, Length ball outside off, Powell comes forward and defends it. |
| 28.2 : Jarvis to K Powell, FOUR! Outrageous shot! Shorter in length outside off, Powell wants to pull it out of Zimbabwe but gets a top edge. The ball flies over the slip cordon for a boundary to third man. |
| 28.3 : K Jarvis to Powell, Good length around off, Kieran defends it from his crease. |
| 28.4 : K Jarvis to Powell, Length outside off, Powell comes forward and blocks it. |
| 28.5 : K Jarvis to Powell, Good length around off, turned through square leg for a single. |
| 28.6 : K Jarvis to Hope, Hope gets behind in the line and defends it. |
| 29.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Powell comes forward and drives it towards short extra cover. |
| 29.2 : G Cremer to Powell, Flatter around middle, turns down, Powell looks to clip but gets beaten by the sharp turn. The ball deflects off the keeper's gloves and the leg slip fielder collects it. No appeal since there was no bat there. |
| 29.3 : G Cremer to Powell, Powell gets in line and keeps it out. |
| 29.4 : G Cremer to Powell, Nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 29.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Quicker outside off, Shai Hope jumps across the crease and defends it rather hurriedly. |
| 29.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Looped around middle, Shai comes right forward and drives it towards covers. |
| 30.1 : K Jarvis to Powell, Fuller outside off, Powell comes forward and defends it. |
| 30.2 : K Jarvis to Powell, Shorter in length outside off, Powell pulls it hard towards deep mid-wicket. Waller in the deep dives and stops the ball from going through. Only a run taken. |
| 30.3 : K Jarvis to Hope, Back of a length around off, punched off the back foot towards mid off. |
| 30.4 : K Jarvis to Hope, Angles it around off, Shai defends it from his crease. |
| Square leg in place now. |
| 30.5 : K Jarvis to Hope, Shortish outside off, Shai Hope rides with the bounce and punches it to the right of the point fielder. The outfield slows down the ball and only two runs taken. |
| 30.6 : K Jarvis to Hope, Fuller outside off, pushed back down the wicket. The bowler stops it in his followthrough. |
| 31.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Bowls it outside off, spins in sharply, Powell gets across and turns it towards mid-wicket. |
| 31.2 : G Cremer to Powell, Similar length is worked through the square leg region for a brace. |
| 31.3 : G Cremer to Powell, Shorter around off, comes in, Powell stays back and blocks it. |
| 31.4 : G Cremer to Powell, Very full around off, Powell hits it back past the bowler. The mid on fielder stops it, going to his right. A run taken. |
| 31.5 : G Cremer to S Hope, Tossed up around middle, driven to covers. |
| 31.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Around middle and leg, Shai Hope lunges forward to defend but does so off the inner half towards mid-wicket. |
| 32.1 : K Jarvis to Powell, Back of a length around off, Powell stands tall and defends it on the track. |
| 32.2 : K Jarvis to Powell, FOUR! Poor ball, punished! Full toss outside off, Powell does not miss out and drives it in the gap at covers. The ball runs into the fence for a boundary. He has not bowled too many of those. |
| 32.3 : K Jarvis to Powell, Full in length around middle and leg, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 32.4 : K Jarvis to Hope, Full around off and middle, Shai turns it towards mid on and takes off. Mpofu is a touch late and hence they complete the run in time. Also, brings up the 50-run stand. |
| 32.5 : K Jarvis to Powell, Powell gets on his front foot and defends it. |
| 32.6 : K Jarvis to Powell, Full and around leg, turned towards mid-wicket by Powell for a single. |
| 33.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Flatter around middle, Powell defends it from his crease. |
| 33.2 : G Cremer to Powell, Loose but not risky! Floats it outside off, Powell drives it through mid off for a single. That was a bit loose but he was covering the line of the ball well there. |
| 33.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Goes back and turns it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 33.4 : G Cremer to S Hope, Floats it outside off, pushed towards covers by Shai Hope. |
| 33.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Shorter again, Shai Hope goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 33.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Full toss around off, driven to covers. |
| Change in bowling! Chris Mpofu called on for a bowl. |
| 34.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Angles it fuller outside off, Powell comes forward and defends it. |
| 34.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, Slants it outside off, Powell dabs it towards backward point for a single. |
| 34.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, Hurls it around off, Powell defends it from his crease. |
| 34.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, A tad short around off, Powell turns it towards mid-wicket for a single. There is a wild throw at the striker's end but misses. No extra run taken though. |
| Greame Cremer has bowled with discipline so far. Even though he is getting considerable amount of turn from the surface, he has done well to not get carried away and spray it all over. A wicket for him would do justice to his efforts. |
| 34.5 : C Mpofu to Hope, Goes for the yorker, gets it right but Shai Hope is awake and alert to it and digs it out. |
| 34.6 : C Mpofu to Hope, Hope looks to turn one through mid-wicket but ends up nudging it towards the leg side. |
| 35.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Just wide! Bowls it around middle, Powell flicks it in the air, just wide of the short leg fielder for a single. |
| 35.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Lands it outside off, spins away, left alone with a shuffle. |
| 35.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Shai Hope backs away looking to go inside out but gets it off the inner half back down the wicket. |
| 35.4 : G Cremer to Hope, Shai gets forward and defends it. |
| 35.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Shai Hope plays it towards point off his crease. |
| 35.6 : G Cremer to Hope, FOUR! Poor ball, punished! Short ball from Cremer, Shai Hope gets on top of it and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. He is starting to tire it seems, bowling too many short balls. |
| 36.1 : C Mpofu to Powell, Back of a length around off, worked towards square leg for a single. |
| 36.2 : C Mpofu to Hope, Slants it outside off, Hope gets across and defends it. |
| 36.3 : C Mpofu to Hope, Full and outside off, driven sweetly towards covers. |
| 36.4 : C Mpofu to Hope, Good length outside off, Hope hides his bat behind his pad and lets it go through. Something is troubling Mpofu it seems. |
| 36.5 : C Mpofu to S Hope, Very full around off, dug out towards mid on by Hope. |
| 36.6 : C Mpofu to Hope, Slower one outside off, no shot offered by Hope. |
| 37.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Powell clips one through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 37.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Sloppy from Williams! Full toss outside off, driven through the short extra cover fielder for a single. |
| 37.3 : G Cremer to K Powell, Lands it around off, Powell shapes to defend but gets it off the inner half. The ball lobs towards silly mid on but there is no one there to take it. |
| 37.4 : G Cremer to K Powell, Full and outside off, hit towards short extra cover. |
| 37.5 : G Cremer to Powell, Fuller around off, Powell comes forward and blocks it. |
| 37.6 : G Cremer to Powell, Flatter around middle and leg, Powell looks to clip but gets hit on his pads. |
| 38.1 : C Mpofu to Hope, Slants it on a shorter length around off, Shai Hope raises his front leg and pulls it through backward square leg for a single. There were a shade of Greenidge in that shot. |
| 38.2 : C Mpofu to Powell, Full in length outside off, Powell comes forward and blocks it. |
| 38.3 : C Mpofu to Powell, FOUR! Just over! Shorter in length around off, Powell looks to leave at first but then looks to ramp it over the keeper. He just gets it over the leaping Chakabva for a boundary. A fifty for him after a long time, after almost 5 years. He has played 29 innings without a fifty. 3rd in Tests for him and he will want to convert it into a big one. |
| 38.4 : C Mpofu to Powell, Bouncer! Shorter in length around middle, Powell ducks under it. |
| 38.5 : C Mpofu to Powell, Tucks one towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 38.6 : C Mpofu to Hope, Back of a length outside off, Shai Hope gets across and defends it. |
| 39.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Skidder around off, punched towards covers for a single. |
| 39.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Pushes it towards covers from his crease. |
| 39.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Shai Hope comes right forward and drives it towards covers for a single. |
| 39.4 : G Cremer to Powell, Risky! Cremer lands it outside off, Powell comes down to have a go. Almost finds the short leg fielder. Just that it was too quick for the close-in fielder and hence Kieran gets a single to square leg. |
| 39.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Floats it around middle, Hope blocks it. |
| 39.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Shorter outside off, punched towards point from his crease. |
| Sean Williams comes on for a bowl. |
| 40.1 : S Williams to Powell, Floats it outside off, Powell comes forward and pushes it towards covers. |
| 40.2 : S Williams to Powell, Lands it around middle, Powell gets in line and defends it. |
| 40.3 : S Williams to Powell, Fuller around off, Powell hits it back to the bowler who mimes the throw. |
| 40.4 : S Williams to Powell, Slants it down the leg side, Powell cannot clip it through. |
| 40.5 : S Williams to Powell, Shorter around off, Powell stays back and turns it towards the on side. |
| 40.6 : S Williams to Powell, Similar length, Powell goes back and tucks it towards the leg side. |
| 41.1 : G Cremer to Hope, Fuller around off, Hope comes forward and pushes it towards covers. |
| 41.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Shorter outside off, Shai goes back and punches it towards point. |
| 41.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Too full around off, driven towards covers by Hope. |
| 41.4 : G Cremer to Hope, Loops it outside off, driven nicely towards covers by Shai Hope. |
| 41.5 : G Cremer to Hope, This one is fuller around off, Shai Hope blocks it. |
| 41.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Fuller on middle, turned through wide mid on for a single. |
| Drinks! A good hour of play for the visitors. Both batsmen have been fairly untroubled. They will hope for more of the same. Zimbabwe will want to strike early and get back in the game. They have kept the runs down but not to much joy. |
| 42.1 : S Williams to Hope, Angles it around off, Hope stays back and defends it watchfully. |
| 42.2 : S Williams to Hope, Fuller around middle, Shai lunges forward and drives it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 42.3 : S Williams to Powell, Flatter around off, Powell defends it watchfully. |
| 42.4 : S Williams to Powell, Turned through mid on for a single. |
| 42.5 : S Williams to Hope, Angles it on middle, Shai Hope comes forward and blocks it. |
| 42.6 : S Williams to Hope, Fuller on middle and leg, Hope is more than happy to defend it solidly. |
| 43.1 : G Cremer to Powell, Shorter outside off, punched to covers from his crease. |
| 0.0 : Another review by Zimbabwe! Cremer thinks he has Powell caught at short leg. Looks close. |
| 43.2 : G Cremer to K Powell, OUT! Good use of the review, Cremer! Fuller outside off, Powell gets across and looks to paddle it but seems to have missed it. The short leg fielder goes to his left and falls over as he takes the catch. The players appeal but the umpire is not sure. Cremer gets across to his fielders and has a word. Ervine is confident of having taken the catch. A review is signaled and the replays are just what the doctor ordered for the home side. The UltraEdge spots an inside edg |
| Roston Chase is the new man in. |
| 43.3 : G Cremer to Chase, Bowls it outside off, Chase lets it go through. |
| 43.4 : G Cremer to Chase, How did that miss the stumps? Cremer bowls the flipper around middle, Chase plays for the turn but the ball goes straight on and bounces over the stumps by just. A bye stolen. Cremer is back in good rhythm it seems. |
| 43.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Hope comes forward and drives it towards covers. |
| 43.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Too full on middle and leg, dug out by Shai to end a good over for the home side. |
| 44.1 : S Williams to R Chase, Flatter around middle and leg, Chase plays it with an angled bat and gets it towards third man for a single. No feet movement there. Chase gets off the mark. |
| 44.2 : S Williams to Hope, Hope comes forward and defends it. |
| 44.3 : S Williams to Hope, Floats it around middle, Shai is right forward to block this one. |
| 44.4 : S Williams to Hope, Quick around leg, pushed back to the bowler by Hope. |
| 44.5 : S Williams to Hope, Flatter outside off, Hope defends it in time. |
| 44.6 : S Williams to Hope, Angles it around leg, Hope comes forward and defends it. |
| 45.1 : G Cremer to Chase, Floats it outside off, Chase comes forward and pushes it towards point. |
| 45.2 : G Cremer to Chase, Lands it outside off, Roston defends it well. |
| 45.3 : G Cremer to Chase, FOUR! Top shot! Fuller on middle, Chase just pushes it down the ground. The ball is timed too well and he gets a boundary to long on. |
| 45.4 : G Cremer to Chase, Shorter around off, spins in, Chase works it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 45.5 : G Cremer to Chase, Lands it outside off, Roston lunges forward and blocks it. |
| Roston Chase loves spin! He averages just 21 against pace bowlers but against spin, he has a whopping average of 71. Are Zimbabwe missing a trick bowling spin to him? |
| 45.6 : G Cremer to Chase, Lands it around off, pushed towards covers. |
| 46.1 : S Williams to Hope, Around middle and leg, Hope comes forward and blocks it. |
| 46.2 : S Williams to S Hope, Hope clips it towards mid on from his crease. |
| 46.3 : S Williams to Hope, Shorter around middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 46.4 : S Williams to R Chase, Fuller on middle, clipped towards mid on where Jarvis makes another terrific stop. Only a run taken. |
| 46.5 : S Williams to Hope, Hope comes right forward and blocks it. |
| 46.6 : S Williams to S Hope, Full outside off, driven towards covers by Shai Hope. |
| 47.1 : G Cremer to Chase, Shorter outside off, Chase angles it towards short third man from his crease. |
| 47.2 : G Cremer to Chase, Lands it outside off, Chase comes forward and looks to defend but is beaten all ends up. |
| 47.3 : G Cremer to Chase, Shorter outside off, spins away, Chase looks to put it away but mistimes it to mid on. |
| 47.4 : G Cremer to Chase, Darts it around leg, turned towards mid-wicket by the batsman. |
| 47.5 : G Cremer to Chase, FOUR! BOOM! Fuller on middle and leg, Chase gets under it and just lofts it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Good sign of intent. |
| 47.6 : G Cremer to R Chase, FOUR! Smack that, says Chase! Short outside off, Roston goes back and pummels it through mid-wicket for another boundary. Poor bowling, that. Easy runs for Chase. |
| 48.1 : S Williams to Hope, Shorter outside off, Hope goes back and punches it towards silly point. |
| 48.2 : S Williams to Hope, Bowls it outside off, Shai Hope plays for the straighter one but the ball turns a long way and beats Shai all ends up. Good ball, that. |
| 48.3 : S Williams to Hope, This time Hope gets in line and keeps it out. |
| 48.4 : S Williams to Hope, Fires it on the pads, turned through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 48.5 : S Williams to Hope, FOUR! Hit away! Floats it outside off, Shai Hope is not going to miss out and crashes it to the cover fence with a drive. This partnership is going great. |
| 48.6 : S Williams to Hope, Shai Hope goes back and punches it towards backward point for a single. |
| 49.1 : G Cremer to Hope, Flatter around off, spins away, Hope lets it go through with a shuffle. |
| 49.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Shorter outside off, Hope mistimes his slap towards covers. |
| 49.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Too full on leg, Hope keeps it out with a forward push. |
| 49.4 : G Cremer to Hope, Fuller around off, Hope comes forward and defends it. |
| 49.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Quicker around off, Hope stays back and defends it quickly. These ones have troubled him often with them skidding off the surface. |
| 49.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Full outside off, pushed towards covers by Shai Hope. |
| 50.1 : S Williams to R Chase, Full outside off, driven on the up towards short cover where Raza dives to his left and stops it from going through. |
| 50.2 : S Williams to Chase, Slow outside off, shorter in length, Chase pushes it towards point. |
| 50.3 : S Williams to Chase, Flatter on middle, Chase comes forward to defend but gets it off the outer half towards the off side. |
| 50.4 : S Williams to Chase, Angles it on the pads, Chase cannot clip it through and is hit on his pads. |
| Mid on is deep! |
| 50.5 : S Williams to Chase, Floats it outside off, Chase taps it towards covers for a single. |
| 50.6 : S Williams to Hope, Fires it around middle and leg, Hope is awake and hence keeps it out. |
| 51.1 : G Cremer to Chase, Lands it around leg, Chase stays back and defends it. |
| 51.2 : G Cremer to Chase, Full around off, Chase pushes it towards covers. |
| 51.3 : G Cremer to Chase, Shorter around middle and leg, turned through square leg. |
| 51.4 : G Cremer to Chase, Full toss around middle, turned through mid-wicket by Chase for a single. |
| 51.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Hope comes forward and defends it. |
| 51.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Fuller outside off, Shai Hope looks to drive but misses it. The ball flies towards first slip where Maskadza grabs at it but holds onto it somehow. Don't think there was any bat there. Hamilton gets up and says don't waste your time. It deflected off the keeper's gloves. |
| 52.1 : S Williams to Chase, Fuller on middle, Chase keeps it out. |
| 52.2 : S Williams to Chase, Chase stays back and defends it. |
| 52.3 : S Williams to Chase, Floats it outside off, Chase comes forward and blocks it. |
| 52.4 : S Williams to Chase, Places it towards point off the face of the bat. |
| 52.5 : S Williams to Chase, Fuller around middle, Chase looks to drive but gets it off the inner half. |
| 52.6 : S Williams to Chase, Roston gets in line and defends this one. |
| Solomon Mire is called back on for a bowl. |
| 53.1 : S Mire to Hope, FOUR! Always in control! Shorter in length outside off, Hope gets on top of it and pulls it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 53.2 : S Mire to Hope, Good length outside off, left alone by Hope. |
| 53.3 : S Mire to S Hope, Good length outside off, pulled towards mid-wicket. |
| 53.4 : S Mire to Hope, Full toss outside off, angled towards backward point by Shai Hope. |
| 53.5 : S Mire to Hope, Good length outside off, punched towards point. |
| 53.6 : S Mire to Hope, Full and outside off, Shai Hope lets it go through. |
| 54.1 : S Williams to Chase, Floats it outside off, placed towards deep third man for a single. |
| 54.2 : S Williams to Hope, Shorter in length around middle, goes back and blocks it. |
| 54.3 : S Williams to Hope, Flatter around leg, Hope looks to clip but is hit on his pads. |
| 54.4 : S Williams to Hope, Shorter outside off, punched through covers for a single. |
| 54.5 : S Williams to Chase, Flatter around off, Chase shapes to defend but is beaten all ends up. That was well bowled. |
| 54.6 : S Williams to Chase, Roston goes back and punches it towards covers. |
| 55.1 : S Mire to S Hope, Short outside off, Shai Hope gets on top of it and pulls it through mid-wicket. Good running gets them three runs. |
| 55.2 : S Mire to Chase, Shorter outside off, Hope looks to punch it but mistimes it square of the wicket. |
| 55.3 : S Mire to Chase, Back of a length around off, Chase tucks it towards the leg side. |
| 55.4 : S Mire to Chase, Good length outside off, angled towards gully by the crease. |
| 55.5 : S Mire to R Chase, Full in length, Chase pushes at it but gets it off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 55.6 : S Mire to Chase, Full and outside off, driven towards covers by Hope. |
| 56.1 : S Williams to Hope, Shorter in length around middle, punched towards covers by Hope. |
| 56.2 : S Williams to Hope, 3rd Test fifty for Shai Hope! Back-to-back as well. He scored runs in England and is now doing so in Zimbabwe too. He is turning out to be the man to lead with the bat. Coming to the ball, turned towards mid-wicket for a single. He will know his job is not done though. |
| 56.3 : S Williams to Chase, Drives it towards long on for a single. |
| 56.4 : S Williams to Hope, Fuller outside off, Hope drives it towards covers. |
| 56.5 : S Williams to Hope, Angles it on the stumps, Hope blocks it safely. |
| 56.6 : S Williams to Hope, Short outside off, punched past covers for a single. |
| Bowling change, Sikandar Raza comes back on for a bowl. |
| Shai Hope has taken a review as he is given out caught at first slip. Looks not out. Let's see. |
| 57.1 : S Raza to Hope, NOT OUT! The bowling change almost worked for the home side. Raza bowls it outside off, Hope comes forward to defend but is beaten all ends up as the ball turns in a bit and deflects off the pads. Masakadza takes the catch at first slip and appeals. The umpire rules it out caught. Shai Hope is not sure of the mode of dismissal, he has a word about the review with his partner. After being told that he is given out caught, he goes for the review. The UltraEdge does not detect |
| 57.2 : S Raza to Hope, Shorter around off, turned towards mid-wicket. |
| 57.3 : S Raza to Hope, Lands it outside off, Hope works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 57.4 : S Raza to Hope, Fuller outside off, Shai Hope comes forward and drives it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 57.5 : S Raza to S Hope, Hope pushes one through covers and looks for a couple of runs. They think about the third and go for it rather late. The throw is a wild one at the striker's end and hence the third is completed without much harm. |
| 57.6 : S Raza to Chase, Shorter outside off, turned towards mid-wicket by Chase. That's Tea, Day 1! |
| Attritional period of Test cricket, 89/1 in the session! The visitors began in fine fashion losing no wickets in the first hour. Kieran Powell departed against the run of play but the pair of Shai Hope and Roston Chase has done well since then to keep the hosts' bowlers at bay. Graeme Cremer will be happy that his bowlers have been disciplined but they will need to keep taking wickets to stay in the game on this deck which is already starting to assist the spinners. Will West Indies up the rate |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| Welcome back for the final session! The over-rate has been excellent, meaning only 32 overs left in the day. The players and the umpires walk out one last time with the batsmen warming up along the boundary. Will they be able to prolong their stand and inflict misery on the hosts? Or do we have something in store for the home side? Here comes Mpofu to Shai Hope... |
| 58.1 : C Mpofu to Hope, Runs in and spears it on a length around off and middle, Hope stands tall and clips it through backward square leg for a run. |
| 58.2 : C Mpofu to Chase, There is a short leg in place and accordingly, Mpofu bowls it on a back of a length around middle and leg. Chase does well to play it past the fielder there and what's more, he collects a brace. |
| 58.3 : C Mpofu to Chase, Bouncer but outside off, Chase sways away from the line to let the keeper do the rest. |
| 58.4 : C Mpofu to Chase, Shorter delivery around middle and leg again, Chase clips it to the left of short leg and collects a single. |
| 58.5 : C Mpofu to Hope, This is speared outside off, Hope lets it be. |
| 58.6 : C Mpofu to Hope, Chris lands this in line of the stumps, blocked off the front foot. |
| Spin from the other end. Sikandar Raza to bowl his offies. A slip and a short leg in position. |
| 59.1 : S Raza to R Chase, Floated around off, pushed towards mid off. |
| 59.2 : S Raza to Chase, This delivery is flicked off his pads towards mid-wicket. |
| 59.3 : S Raza to Chase, Served in line of the stumps, pushed to long on for a run. |
| 59.4 : S Raza to Hope, Flatter around off and middle, turned through square leg for one run. |
| 59.5 : S Raza to Chase, Bowled around off, Chase lunges forward to block. |
| 59.6 : S Raza to Chase, This ball is turned through mid-wicket to retain strike. |
| 60.1 : C Mpofu to Chase, Length delivery outside off, Chase lets that go to the keeper. |
| 60.2 : C Mpofu to Chase, Speared fuller in line of the stumps, Chase flicks it nicely through mid-wicket. The fielder from mid on hares after that and saves a run for his side. |
| 60.3 : C Mpofu to Hope, This is bowled full around off, Hope drives it to mid off. |
| 60.4 : C Mpofu to Hope, Now Mpofu bowls it in line of the stumps, Hope defends it towards mid on. |
| A deepish gully is in place. Alan Wilkins on-air says that the fielder is a tad too deep for his liking as the ball is more likely to either fly over him or not carry to him. He can rather be used on the leg side, to not let the batsmen take easy singles. |
| 60.5 : C Mpofu to S Hope, Bouncer banged in line of the stumps, Hope ducks under it. |
| 60.6 : C Mpofu to Hope, This length delivery is defended from within the crease. |
| 61.1 : S Raza to Chase, Served around off and middle, Chase drives it to long on and crosses over to the other end. |
| 61.2 : S Raza to Hope, Raza comes round the wicket to Hope, he strides forward and defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 61.3 : S Raza to Hope, In line of middle and leg, Hope goes back and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 61.4 : S Raza to Hope, Flatter around leg, the ball turns down. Shai goes back and clips it towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 61.5 : S Raza to Hope, This ball is flicked through square leg for a brace. |
| 61.6 : S Raza to Hope, Floated on the pads, flicked through backward square leg for a run. |
| 62.1 : C Mpofu to Hope, Full ball around off and middle, Shai defends it towards mid on. |
| 62.2 : C Mpofu to Hope, Mpofu lands it around middle, Hope stays back and blocks it to the on side. |
| 62.3 : C Mpofu to Hope, Fuller ball around off, the batsman strides forward and defends it showing the full face of the bat. |
| 62.4 : C Mpofu to Hope, FOUR! Lovely balance from Shai as he played that. Mpofu spears it on a length outside off, Hope jumps and punches it through cover-point. The timing is so good that the ball races away to the fence. |
| 62.5 : C Mpofu to Hope, In reply, Chris bangs it in short around off, Shai crouches low to duck in response. |
| 62.6 : C Mpofu to Hope, Length delivery outside off, Hope punches it off the back foot. Finds the point fielder this time. |
| 63.1 : S Raza to Chase, Flatter around off and middle, Chase gets a leading edge towards cover-point as he looks to turn it away. |
| 63.2 : S Raza to Chase, This ball is pushed towards mid off off his front foot. |
| 63.3 : S Raza to Chase, This ball is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 63.4 : S Raza to Chase, Floated around off, Chase gets it off the inner half towards mid on. |
| 63.5 : S Raza to Chase, Chase picks up a run by flicking it away through square leg. |
| 63.6 : S Raza to Hope, Raza comes from round the wicket and fires it around middle and leg. Hope lunges forward to block. |
| Kyle Jarvis back on for another spell. He hasn't looked as effective as he did in the first session today. He would look to rectify that soon. |
| 64.1 : K Jarvis to Chase, Jarvis spears this down the leg side, Chase doesn't bother playing at that. |
| 64.2 : K Jarvis to Chase, This is landed around middle and leg, Chase pushes it towards mid on. |
| 64.3 : K Jarvis to Chase, Length ball around off and middle, defended towards mid-wicket from the crease. |
| 64.4 : K Jarvis to Chase, This ball is defended from the crease. |
| The on-air commentators have been talking about Chase's scoring pattern so far. 27 of his 30 runs today have come on the leg side. But the counter point for that is that the bowlers haven't bowled him enough outside off. The lines of attack have to be improved by the hosts. |
| 64.5 : K Jarvis to Chase, Jarvis strays on the pads, Chase clips it towards fine leg for one run. |
| 64.6 : K Jarvis to S Hope, This delivery around off is pushed towards mid on. |
| 65.1 : S Raza to Chase, Flatter around middle, turning in. Chase looks to block it but misses and gets hit on the pads. The players appeal but is turned down by the umpire. Might have gone down leg. |
| 65.2 : S Raza to Chase, OUT! This time there's no need to appeal as Roston chase starts walking. Raza floats it around middle, Chase looks to defend again. This times he gets an inside edge onto his pads, which lobs up to Ervine at short leg who makes no mistake. The Zimbabweans don't need the umpire's confirmation as there was a big deflection. The vital stand is broken and the hosts are ecstatic. |
| Jermaine Blackwood walks out to bat. Will he play his shots or give himself time to get in? |
| 65.3 : S Raza to Blackwood, Served around middle and leg, Blackwood misses the flick and gets struck on the thigh pad. |
| 65.4 : S Raza to Blackwood, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 65.5 : S Raza to Blackwood, Flatter around off, punched towards covers. |
| 65.6 : S Raza to Blackwood, Blackwood lunges forward to block it solidly. A wicket-maiden for Sikandar Raza. |
| 66.1 : K Jarvis to Hope, Kyle spears it fuller around off, Shai stays in the crease and keeps it out watchfully. |
| 66.2 : K Jarvis to Hope, Short ball around off, pulled away through square leg for one run. |
| 66.3 : K Jarvis to J Blackwood, How beautifully was it driven. Fuller ball around off, finds the mid off fielder. Blackwood is new to the crease but that shot seemed as if he's out there since a long time. |
| 66.4 : K Jarvis to Blackwood, Jermaine gets right behind the line of the ball and blocks it from the crease. |
| 66.5 : K Jarvis to Blackwood, Jarvis bowls a slower length ball outside off, Blackwood shoulders arms to that. It went on the bounce to Chakabva. |
| 66.6 : K Jarvis to Blackwood, Another length delivery outside off, Blackwood shows no intentions of putting bat to that. |
| 67.1 : S Raza to Hope, Just short! Raza comes from round the wicket and serves a loopy ball around leg. Hope goes back and looks to tuck it awa but gets an inside edge onto his pads which lands just short of the diving short leg fielder. |
| 67.2 : S Raza to Hope, Similar delivery, this time Hope goes back to work it past short leg for a brace. |
| 67.3 : S Raza to Hope, This ball is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 67.4 : S Raza to Hope, Flatter on the pads, worked past short leg for a run. |
| 67.5 : S Raza to Blackwood, Raza comes over the wicket and fires it short down the leg side. Blackwood pulls it to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 67.6 : S Raza to Hope, Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman. |
| Bowling change! Greame Cremer brings himself back on. |
| 68.1 : G Cremer to Blackwood, Floated around middle, Blackwood strides forward to block. |
| 68.2 : G Cremer to Blackwood, Fired in line of the stumps, Jermaine stays back and defends. |
| 68.3 : G Cremer to Blackwood, Beautifully bowled! Cremer tosses it up around off, Blackwood lunges forward to block. The ball spins away sharply to beat the outer edge of the bat. |
| 68.4 : G Cremer to Blackwood, Served around off, driven towards covers. |
| 68.5 : G Cremer to Blackwood, This ball is defended from within the crease. |
| Zimbabweans look very happy. They seem to have got Blackwood stumped. The umpire refers it upstairs. Should be close as the batsman doesn't seem too confident. |
| 68.6 : G Cremer to Blackwood, Cremer tosses this up around middle and leg, Blackwood lunges forward to defend. But the ball yet again spins sharply past the batsman. He is overbalanced a but and Chakabva whips off the bails in a flash. He seems very confident and begins to celebrate. The umpire takes it upstairs. Replays roll in. Jermaine's back foot is on the line and he has nothing behind it. The TV umpire has numerous looks at it before giving the judgement in favour of the hosts. Zimbabwe are |
| Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich walks in next. The opportunity is ripe for him to get among some runs here. |
| 69.1 : S Raza to Hope, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 69.2 : S Raza to Hope, This ball is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 69.3 : S Raza to Hope, Hope goes back to keep this out. |
| 69.4 : S Raza to Hope, Flatter around leg, Raza flicks it towards deep square leg for one run. |
| 69.5 : S Raza to Dowrich, Dowrich strides forward and defends it off the front foot. |
| 69.6 : S Raza to S Dowrich, Floated outside off, driven towards covers. |
| 70.1 : G Cremer to Hope, Tossed up delivery in line of the stumps, Hope strides forward and blocks it. |
| 70.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Looped outside off, Shai shoulders arms to that. |
| 70.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Hope lunges forward to kill the spin by smothering it onto the ground. |
| 70.4 : G Cremer to Hope, Flatter in line of the stumps, turned to the fielder at mid on. |
| 70.5 : G Cremer to Hope, Flatter outside off, Shai stays deep in the crease and slaps it through cover-point for a single. |
| 70.6 : G Cremer to Dowrich, Another jaffa! Cremer floats it gently around off, Dowrich hangs back to defend but the ball spins away yet again. The keeper collects it wonderfully. Shows how keenly he's watching the ball. |
| 71.1 : S Raza to Hope, Hope collects a single through fine leg. |
| 71.2 : S Raza to S Dowrich, FOUR! Freebies for Dowrich. Raza fires it short around middle and leg, the keeper-batsman has ample time to go back and pull it through mid-wicket for a boundary. He gets going with this. |
| 71.3 : S Raza to Dowrich, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 71.4 : S Raza to Dowrich, This ball is bunted off the front foot onto the ground. |
| 71.5 : S Raza to Dowrich, Fuller ball outside off, Shane drives it beautifully through covers. Before the fielder retrieves the ball, the batters run three. |
| 71.6 : S Raza to Hope, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| Cremer is in the thick of things yet again! He appeals for LBW against Dowrich. The umpire disagrees but the hosts opt for a review. Should be close. |
| 72.1 : G Cremer to Dowrich, Not Out! Zimbabwe lose both their reviews now. Their excitement has got the better of them here. Cremer fires it flatter around middle and leg, Dowrich lunges forward to play for the non-existent turn. Gets hit on the front pad. The Zimbabweans appeal to no avail. After some consulting, they opt to take the review. There was no bat involved. Hawk Eye shows the ball to miss the leg stump by a whisker. The onfield call stays. Interesting to note that Dharmasena has got h |
| 72.2 : G Cremer to Dowrich, FOUR! To rub salt on the wounds, Dowrich helps himself to a boundary off the very next ball. Cremer bowls a half-tracker around middle, Shane goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket. The ball races away to the fence. |
| 72.3 : G Cremer to Dowrich, This ball is pushed towards point. |
| 72.4 : G Cremer to Dowrich, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 72.5 : G Cremer to Dowrich, Dowrich goes on the back foot and punches it towards the bowler. |
| 72.6 : G Cremer to Dowrich, This ball is defended off the back foot. |
| Drinks have been taken. This game is on the knife's edge at the moment with Windies having lost half their side here. This would be an enough boost for the hosts who would look to make further inroads. |
| 73.1 : S Raza to Hope, SIX! Wow! How refreshing was the drinks break for Hope! He begins the period of play with a biggie over mid-wicket. Raza serves it fuller around leg, Shai clears his front leg and thumps it into the stands. This is his second six of his Test career. |
| 73.2 : S Raza to Hope, Flatter delivery on the pads, blocked from the crease. |
| 73.3 : S Raza to Hope, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 73.4 : S Raza to Hope, Fired in on the pads, Shai goes back and works it towards leg slip. |
| 73.5 : S Raza to Hope, Shai gets behind the line of the ball to defend that. |
| 73.6 : S Raza to Hope, This delivery on the pads is flicked past short leg for a run. |
| 74.1 : G Cremer to S Hope, Floated around off, driven towards covers. |
| 74.2 : G Cremer to Hope, Flatter around off, Hope goes back to punch it towards cover-point. |
| 74.3 : G Cremer to S Hope, There's that edge again! Cremer gives it some more air outside off, Hope is enticed into the drive. He does so but gets a thick edge past slip. The fielder from short third man hares after it and keeps them down to two. |
| 74.4 : G Cremer to Hope, Shai Hope lunges forward to defend it off the front foot. |
| 74.5 : G Cremer to Hope, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 74.6 : G Cremer to Hope, Looped up in line of the stumps, blocked off the front foot onto the ground. |
| Sean Williams to roll his arms over now. This is a ploy used keeping in mind the two right-handed batsmen at the crease. |
| 75.1 : S Williams to Dowrich, Fires in a yorker around off, Shane hangs back to dig it out. |
| 75.2 : S Williams to Dowrich, Loopy ball around middle, Dowrich lunges forward to defend that. |
| 75.3 : S Williams to Dowrich, This ball is flicked towards mid-wicket. |
| 75.4 : S Williams to S Dowrich, OUT! Cremer seems to be the man with the midas touch. Rings in the bowling change and it reaps dividend immediately! Williams tosses it up around off, Dowrich fails to counter the spin. Looks to play with his bat and pad close together without trying to get to the pitch of the ball. The ball takes the outside edge, courtesy the extra bounce, and flies to the right of Masakadza at slip, who takes a good catch diving to his right. Yet another failure for Dowrich. Win |
| Skipper Jason Holder strides out to the centre. He is an able batsman and his team would love him to read from the front with some runs with the bat. |
| 75.5 : S Williams to J Holder, Holder drives this ball to the mid on fielder. |
| 75.6 : S Williams to Holder, Holder gets his big stride forward and blocks it solidly. |
| 76.1 : G Cremer to Hope, Floated in line of the stumps, Hope defends off the front foot. |
| 76.2 : G Cremer to Hope, This ball is pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 76.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Hope drives it through covers and crosses over to the other end. |
| 76.4 : G Cremer to Holder, Cremer lands it around off, the ball spins away sharply. Holder looks to play at it initially before deciding against it. |
| 76.5 : G Cremer to Holder, Holder gets beaten this time! He lunges forward to a leg spinner but the ball turns away sharply. |
| 76.6 : G Cremer to Holder, This ball is pushed back towards the bowler. |
| 77.1 : S Williams to S Hope, Loopy ball around off, Hope gets a soft outer edge that goes on the bounce to slip. |
| 77.2 : S Williams to Hope, Floated around off, driven towards covers. |
| 77.3 : S Williams to Hope, Hope goes back and blocks this delivery around off. |
| 77.4 : S Williams to Hope, So close! Hope lets this straighter ball outside off go. Williams and the keeper cannot believe that the ball missed the off stump. Perhaps Shai thought it would spin away. |
| 77.5 : S Williams to Hope, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 77.6 : S Williams to Hope, Shai goes back to keep this ball out. |
| 78.1 : G Cremer to Holder, Beaten again! Holder strides forward to play for the straighter one but the ball spins away to beat the edge. To get beaten on the outside is still okay as the batsman covers his stump in that case. |
| 78.2 : Cremer to Holder, Huge shout, denied! Cremer serves a straighter one around middle, Holder plays for the turns that is not there. Gets hit below the knee-roll. The hosts appeal but the umpire stays put. They can't review it as they have none left. Hawk Eye shows that Dharmasena has got it spot on, as height is a factor there. The ball would have gone over the stumps. |
| 78.3 : G Cremer to Holder, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 78.4 : G Cremer to J Holder, FOUR! Lovely shot by Holder. Cremer floats it around off, Holder goes inside out and collects a boundary through covers. He gets off the mark. |
| 78.5 : G Cremer to Holder, Loopy delivery around off, Holder hits it straight back to the bowler. It bounced near the bat. |
| 78.6 : G Cremer to Holder, FOUR! Second boundary off the over. Served around off, Holder drives it through cover-point to help himself to another one. |
| There is an appeal for a catch at slips against Hope. Masakadza has indicated to the umpire that he is not sure whether it's a clean catch. The umpire goes upstairs. The soft signal is not out. |
| 79.1 : S Williams to Hope, Not Out! The ball lands just short! Williams loops it around off, Hope lunges forward to defends. Gets a thick outside edge towards slip. Masakadza gets low to his left and catches it. He isn't sure whether it is clean. Indicates the same to the umpire who goes upstairs. The soft signal is not out. Replays confirm that the ball landed just short of the fielder there. Hope stays on. |
| 79.2 : S Williams to Hope, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 79.3 : S Williams to Hope, This delivery is punched off the back foot towards the bowler. |
| 79.4 : S Williams to Hope, This delivery is punched through covers for a run. |
| 79.5 : S Williams to Holder, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Zimbabwe put in a shout shout and Holder is ruled out LBW onfield. He asks his partner and opts for the review. |
| 79.6 : S Williams to Holder, OUT! Holder departs and takes a review with him. Williams tosses this in line of the stumps, Holder looks to play against the turn but misses. The ball strikes him on the back pad and goes towards gully. The Zimbabweans appeal and the umpire obliges. Holder isn't convinced and has a chat with his partner before opting for the review. Replays roll in. Snicko shows a spike as the ball passes the bat. But the umpire is sure that there is no edge. Hawk Eye shows three red |
| Devendra Bishoo walks in at the fall of the 7th wicket. |
| 80.1 : G Cremer to S Hope, Drives it through the covers from his crease. |
| 80.2 : G Cremer to S Hope, FOUR! Bad ball, mate! Short and going down leg, Hope pulls it hard through square leg for a boundary. He is not letting the bad balls go. |
| 80.3 : G Cremer to Hope, Hope punches one through covers for a single. |
| 80.4 : G Cremer to Bishoo, Fuller around off, turned towards mid on by the batsman. |
| 80.5 : G Cremer to Bishoo, Bishoo gets right forward and defends it watchfully. |
| 80.6 : G Cremer to Bishoo, Around middle and leg, Bishoo shapes to clip but is hit on his pads. |
| 81.1 : S Williams to Hope, Flatter around off, cut towards point. |
| 81.2 : S Williams to Hope, Loopy ball in line of the stumps, Hope lunges forward and defends it. |
| 81.3 : S Williams to Hope, Shai Hope goes back and keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 81.4 : S Williams to Hope, Floated outside off, Shai gets to the pitch of the ball to drive it to long off. |
| 81.5 : S Williams to Bishoo, Lands it around off, Bishoo stays in the crease to block it. |
| 81.6 : S Williams to Bishoo, OUT! Williams strikes to snaffle up his third. This is a really tame dismissal. Floated around off and middle, Bishoo looks to turn it past square leg. Ends up getting it off the inner half to short leg, where Ervine makes no mistake. The tourists are falling like a pack of cards here as they aren't having any answers to the spinners from Zimbabwe. |
| Kemar Roach walks in to bat at no.10. |
| 82.1 : G Cremer to Hope, Hope drives it through covers and crosses to the other end. Strange move this, considering there's a tailender at the other end. |
| 82.2 : G Cremer to Roach, Cremer almost gets him there! He floats it around off, Roach looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls close past the off stump there. Close shave! |
| 82.3 : G Cremer to Roach, Served around off, Roach gets a leading edge towards covers. It was just away from the fielder there. |
| What's happening here! Zimbabwe appeal for LBW against Bishoo and after a long look, Dharmasena raises the dreaded finger. Bishoo decides to take it upstairs. |
| 82.4 : G Cremer to Roach, OUT! Cremer adds another to his kitty. Roach wastes the review and exhausts all that they have. Cremer bowls it flatter in line of the stumps, Kemar strides forward to defend but gets hit on the front pad and then hits his bat. The home side appeals and after a long look, the umpire obliges. The hosts celebrate but, hold on! The batsman opts for the review. He had his bat behind his pad and so there was no question of the edge. Hawk Eye shows three reds and that's it for |
| Shannon Gabriel is the last man in for Windies. |
| 82.5 : G Cremer to Gabriel, OUT! Gabriel goes first ball! Cremer gets his fourth. He serves it in line of the stumps, Gabriel lunges forward to bunt it down. But all he manages to do is get an inside edge that is safely taken by Ervine at short leg. Another catch for him and that gets Zimbabwe jumping with joy. Excellent spin bowling by them to BOWL OUT WEST INDIES FOR 219! |
| Well done, Windies! The last team to get bundled out for under 250 against Zimbabwe was Pakistan in Harare in 2013 and they have done it again, to the Windies. What an effort, remember they lost the toss. Kyle Jarvis provided them with the early breakthrough but Shai Hope played a gritty knock to hold an end up. |
| Shai Hope played really well for his unbeaten 90 and got decent support from Kieran Powell, Roston Chase as they notched up a couple of 50-run stands but once Chase departed post Tea, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza ran through the rest bundling them out for a moderate total. Yes, the ball is spinning a lot on Day 1 itself but that can't be an excuse for some poor batting. The hosts were disciplined right throughout the day and now will hope to bat out the short time today and then bat big. Will |
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