ZIM v WI, 1st Test, Day 2 Review: Windies pull things back in dramatic fashon

24 hours ago, Windies tottered whilst combatting the Zimbabwean spinners and registered a paltry total, but now, the tables have turned. Inspired a magnificent spell from the leggie Devendra Bishoo, Zimbabwe’s batting lineup collapsed quite unusually and lost 9 wickets in a span of 68 runs.

Things started on quite a positive note for the hosts as Hamilton Masakadza and Solomon Mire added a decent 44 runs for the first wicket. Both players took on the new ball bowlers and struck few boundaries in the first 10 overs. Yet, Kemar Roach provided the first breakthrough by sending Solomon Mire back.

Craig Ervine and Masakadza added another decent partnership for the second wicket and they looked firmly in control of this game. Ervine looked resolute with his defense and Masakadza, who was quite aggressive whilst batting with Mire, slowed the tempo down a bit.

The duo added 47 runs for the second wicket and just a few overs before the lunch break, Bishoo struck by sending Masakdza and the rest of their innings as dramatic as anything can get.

Bishoo dismantles the middle order

After getting the opener, Bishoo struck immediately by sending back the comeback man Brendan Taylor. Kemar Roach joined the party by getting an edge of Sean Williams bat, into the keepers’ hands. Sikandar Raza got flattered by an absolute peach from Bishoo and after a shocking set of dismissals, Zimbabwe was restricted to 123/5.

The leg-spinner didn’t stop as he kept mounting the pressure with some excellent piece of bowling. Not one batsman in the middle managed to cash in anything extravagant and this led to a horrendous downfall in the next few overs. Bishoo struck once again by sending the big fish Craig Ervine, who was trying his best to hang in there.

Skipper Jason Holder wanted to get back in the party and he did so in some style. Holder rattled Malcolm Waller’s stumps with an absolute scorcher. Waller was left in no man’s land as he left a huge gap between bat and pad. Holder did the rest and he immediately reciprocated with another wicket of Graeme Cremer. The skipper was struggling to stay there and eventually, got bowled by his opposite number.

Bishoo wasted no time in wrapping up the innings by dismissing Christopher Mpofu. The tailender stuck in hard and showed some resilience, but that lasted only 26 deliveries. A little outside edge went straight to the keeper’s hands and Zimbabwe got bowled out obnoxiously for 159 in 61.3 overs.

Bishoo was the star of the day, who picked up 5 wickets, giving away just 79 runs in his 79 overs. Skipper Holder and Kemar Roach chipped in with crucial wickets and both of them picked up a brace.

Windies off to a great start

After gaining a decent 60-run first innings lead, Windies got off to a good second innings start. Kieran Powell and Kraigg Brathwaite dealt only in boundaries initially and struck a six each in the first 10 overs. Yet, skipper Cremer took the ball immediately after the first 10 overs and struck the first blow. He sent Powell back and in came the out of form Kyle Hope.

The lad was desperately in need of some runs and he got off to a good start. He played some beautiful shots and finished the day at 32 off 65 balls. Brathwaite remained unbeaten on 38 of 99 balls and Windies finished the day’s play at 88/1. They have a 158-run cushion to deal with and some good stands will win them the game on day 3.

Brief Scores

Windies first innings: 219 all out in 82.5 overs

Zimbabwe first innings: 159 all out in 61.3 overs (Hamilton Masakadza 42; Devendra Bishoo 5/79)

Windies second innings: 88/1 in 33 overs (Kyle Hope 32*, Kraigg Brathwaite 38*)