West Indies v Zimbabwe, 6th ODI Preview: Zimbabwe fancying the final berth against inconsistent West Indies

After having put a clinical performance against West Indies in their previous meeting, Zimbabwe are fancying a spot in the finals. Both teams will lock horns at Bulawayo in the last league match of the series. The winner of the match will head straight into the finals of the series. Sri Lanka, the other involved team of the tri-series, have comfortably sealed their spot in the finals.

West Indies were shocked by a herculean effort by the hosts when the two sides met a couple of days ago. The match ended in a tie. A tied game meant the teams sharing points. With West Indies having won just one match and Zimbabwe having won none, the hosts will fancy their chances of getting an equaliser. No matter what, the match promises to be a cracker of a game.

Team News:

West Indies

The visitors are unlikely to tinker their playing eleven for the match. They have been impressive as a unit. Batsmen have done their job on occasions and so have the bowlers. However, the team hopes for a collective effort to overhaul the zestful hosts and subsequently in the finals too. The only concern for the West Indies has been their lower middle order.

With a cumulative of just 224 runs between the number 5 to the number 8 batsmen, the West Indies have failed in the run chases. However, strong bowling and impressive performance by Shannon Gabriel gives West Indies a good chance. They have 3 bowlers in the top five of the leading wicket takers of the season. Their dominion is evident in batting too, with 2 players in the top 5.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe were the underdogs in the series. However, their performance against West Indies in the tied game will give a good feeling in the dressing room. They might get tempted to bring back the experience of Hamilton Masakadza in place of Brian Chari as the opener.

But having said that, it is worth noting that they have played the same eleven in all the matches thus far in the series. They will be keen on turning the tables in the encounter and register their first win in the series. With nothing to lose, they serve a great threat for West Indies, who are searching for a rise in ODI rankings.

Probable XI:

West Indies: Johnson Charles, Kraigg Brathwaite, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope(w), Jonathan Carter, Rovman Powell, Carlos Brathwaite, Jason Holder(c), Ashley Nurse, Sulieman Benn, Shannon Gabriel

Zimbabwe: Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Peter Moor (wk), Graeme Cremer (c), Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chisoro, Chris Mpofu

Match Details:

Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

Time: 09:30 local time, 13:00 IST

StAttack:

• Shai Hope and Evin Lewis are the only centurions in the series so far. They are also the leading run-getters in the series with 173 and 193 runs to their names.
• At this very venue at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe have the distinction of chasing down 328 in an ODI. They have chased in excess of 300 only twice.
• The last time when West Indies saw centurions in 3 matches consecutively was in 2013. In this season, they have seen two consecutive centuries so far. Shai Hope scored a ton against Zimbabwe and Evin Lewis hit a ton against Sri Lanka.
• Only 14 players have played 100 or more ODIs for Zimbabwe. Sean Williams and Chamu Chibhabha have played 99 thus far.