Hamilton Masakadza's fifth Test century helped Zimbabwe recover from a horror start to the second Test against the West Indies on Sunday and end a rain-hit first day on 169 for four. Just 61 overs were possible as rain wiped out most of the final session, but that was still enough time for Masakadza to register an unbeaten 101 and drag Zimbabwe out of a hole. The home side slumped to 14 for three after winning the toss and electing to bat first, as fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel struck with the new ball.
In cloudy conditions it took Roach just two overs to make the first breakthrough as he had Solomon Mire caught behind, and Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor soon followed when they were bowled by Gabriel and Roach respectively. Those early setbacks meant that Peter Moor, who was only picked at the last minute when allrounder Sean Williams withdrew because of illness, walked out to bat in challenging conditions.
But he duly dug in for a 142-run stand for the fourth wicket with Masakadza, putting Zimbabwe back in a match that they must win to earn a share of the series. "I actually had quite a bit of fun batting with Peter today, because he brought a lot of energy and he was very positive. I fed quite a bit off that," said Masakadza. The opener was fortunate to survive in the 11th over of the day, when he was caught at gully off Gabriel before replays revealed a no-ball. Masakadza was on 15 at the time.
While Moor reached a patient half-century moments after tea, he was then bowled by offspinner Roston Chase to give the West Indies a welcome breakthrough.
Scoreboard
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Zimbabwe first innings
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H. Masakadza not out 101
S. Mire c Dowrich b Roach 4
C. Ervine b Gabriel 0
B. Taylor b Roach 1
P. Moor b Chase 52
Sikandar Raza not out 9
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Extras: (2nb) 2
Total: (4 wkts, 61 overs) 169
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Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Mire), 2-11 (Ervine), 3-14 (Taylor), 4-156 (Moor).
Still to bat: M. Waller, R. Chakabva, G. Cremer, T. Chisoro, C. Mpofu.
Bowling: Gabriel 13-3-37-1, Roach 10-4-24-2, Blackwood 4-1-8-0, Holder 11-1-28-0, Bishoo 14-2-46-0, Chase 9-1-26-1.
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (capt), Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.
Toss: Zimbabwe
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) and Simon Fry (AUS)
TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Match referee: Javagal Srinath (SRI)
Series: West Indies lead two-match series 1-0.
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