Daily Times

BULAWAYO: West Indies off-spinner Gudakesh Motie wreaked havoc in the second Test against Zimbabwe on Sunday in Bulawayo, taking seven wickets to help dismiss the hosts for 115. After Alzarri Joseph captured the first wicket and Jason Holder the next two on the first day of the final Test, Motie took charge in a devastating 14.5-over spell, claiming seven in a row. The 27-year-old Guyanese gave up 37 runs and four of his overs were maidens at the Queens Sports Club in the southwestern city.

In reply, Raymon Reifer (53) then put on useful partnerships with Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Jermaine Blackwood as West Indies ended day one at 133-4, leading by 18. Kraigg Brathwaite and Chanderpaul began West Indies’ reply in a sedate fashion as they looked to blunt the Zimbabwe bowling attack like they did in the first Test. The West Indies captain, however, was dismissed for 7 off 27 as he was trapped in front by Wellington Masakadza, who dismissed Brathwaite for the third time in as many innings. Chanderpaul struck successive boundaries and continued to bat steadily in partnership with Reifer in the post-tea session. The second wicket pair added 73, with Reifer scoring 41 and Chanderpaul 30 in the partnership. But a soft dismissal ended Chanderpaul’s stay as he top-edged a sweep to depart for 36. Blackwood came out with a positive intent, scoring boundaries and a six off while Reifer got to his second Test fifty as West Indies entered the lead. But a mix-up resulted in Reifer’s run-out, ending a stand worth 31. Blackwood followed soon after mistiming a pull to depart for 22. Kyle Mayers and Roston Chase were unbeaten when stumps were drawn early due to bad light. Earlier, Zimbabwe suffered a pre-match blow when star batter Gary Ballance was ruled out having failed to fully recover from migraine headaches. The home team also lacked prolific run-getter Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl, who were released to play franchise cricket in the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh respectively. Injuries sidelined captain and all-rounder Sean Williams and fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara.

Severely depleted, Zimbabwe were 70 for the loss of five wickets by lunch with opener Innocent Kaia the only batsman to impress. He scored 38 before a thick outside edge proved his undoing as he was caught by first slip Kyle Mayers. Craig Ervine made 22 before becoming Motie’s first victim. The captain was trapped leg before by a full delivery he attempted to sweep. Batting at seven, Donald Tiripano made a defiant 23, but none of his partners lasted long against Motie. The tourists made one change from the drawn first Test with fast bowler Shannon Gabriel recalled in place of Kemar Roach for his first Test appearance since November 2021.