– Chase hits half-century

Indies racked up 103 runs in the first session.

then, Chase and Da Silva's 85-run partnership for the sixth wicket had ensured the visitors ended the day well ahead of the hosts' total of 115.

Only 49 overs and four balls were possible on the second day, which had begun with overnight batters Chase and Kyle Mayers at the crease, as Zimbabwe started with

Mayers into driving and slashing by pitching the ball into the rough from around the wicket.

And as Mavuta kept it relatively tight, he was rewarded with Mayers's wicket, when the batter found midwicket while swiping at a full toss angled in and dipping on him.

Play in the afternoon even began when Chase clipped Mavuta wide of midon for four, before the hosts quietened things down. Chase and Da Silva's partnership stretched the lead beyond 150. Zimbabwe also took the new ball, with Nyauchi and Masakadza sharing it; and in the 85th over, Nyauchi angled one into Chase, hitting the middle stump as the batter drove forward and was beaten.

Rain arrived two balls after that, and when play resumed, Nyauchi removed Da Silva, who was also cleaned up. The ball hit the top of middle stump as Nyauchi pitched it on the shorter side of a length wide of off, only for it to dart back in sharply to slide past Da Silva's defence.

New batter Alzarri Joseph whipped the first ball he faced for four, before falling on the very next delivery. This time Nyauchi banged it in short, getting it to climb rapidly on middle and off, as Joseph's pull came off the higher side of the bat, and went only as far as midwicket, where Tanunurwa Makoni moved to his right while keeping his eyes on the ball all through to

Scoreboard

West Indies 1st Innings

TOTAL 90.4 Ov (RR: 3.19) 290/8 complete the grab.

But the day still belonged to West Indies, who will be wary of more rain forecast for the coming days. (ESPNCricinfo)

Classified Ads

Accommodations

Aracari Hotel, West Bank Demerara (Versailles- between Harbour Bridge and Vreed-n-Hoop) – Airconditioned comfort. Amenities include TV, Restaurant, Bar, Swimming Pool, Gym. Free Parking, Free Wifi. Spend 7 nights and get 1 Free. Rates from $63 US Breakfast included. Long term rates available. All inclusive Honeymoon, Weekend and Overnight Packages available. Phone: 264-2946-9 www.aracariresort.com

Victor Nyauchi's pace and Brandon Mavuta's legspin. The ball turned and often stopped on the slow surface for Mavuta, who invited

Soon after, Zimbabwe replaced Mavuta with the left-arm spin of Wellington Masakadza against righthanders Chase and Da Silva, but both batters found the occasional boundary off him, while also keeping the scoreboard ticking. Chase brought up his 11th Test fifty, to start the 68th over, as he pushed Masakadza to the off side. Da Silva looked particularly impressive with the pull and the whip across the line each time the spinners went short, as West

Kraigg Brathwaite (c) lbw b Masakadza 7

Tagenarine Chanderpaul c Tiripano b Mavuta 36 Raymon Reifer run out (Chivanga/†Tsiga) 53

Jermaine Blackwood c Nyauchi b Mavuta 22

Kyle Mayers c Masakadza b Mavuta 30 Roston Chase b Nyauchi 70 Joshua Da Silva † b Nyauchi 44 Jason Holder not out 3 Alzarri Joseph c Makoni b Nyauchi 4 Gudakesh Motie not out 11 Extras (lb 3, nb 5, w 2) 10

Yet to bat: Shannon Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 7.5 ov), 2-86 (Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 27.1 ov), 3-117 (Raymon Reifer, 35.3 ov), 4-124 (Jermaine Blackwood, 37.3 ov), 5-184 (Kyle Mayers, 53.1 ov), 6-269 (Roston Chase, 84.5 ov), 7-270 (Joshua Da Silva, 86.1 ov), 8-274 (Alzarri Joseph, 86.3 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Victor Nyauchi 6.4-1-56-3

Wellington Masakadza 20-5-58-1

Tanaka Chivanga 13-0-57-0

Donald Tiripano 13-2-26-0

Brandon Mavuta 24-3-73-3

Milton Shumba 4-0-17-0