Sarwan in top form

- Dellmar

West Indies middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan hitting out during his solid 86 in the second Test against Zimbabwe yesterday.

HARARE, CANA-Reuters:

RAMNARESH Sarwan's sparkling 86 led West Indies to a commanding first-innings lead as the visitors continued to dominate the second cricket Test against Zimbabwe yesterday.

West Indies were dismissed for 347 late on the second day to take a lead of 216, and Zimbabwe were 27 for one in their second innings at the close, still trailing by 189 runs.

Zimbabwe were dealt a hammer blow in the last over of the day when Dion Ebrahim was adjudged caught behind off Colin Stuart for 12, television replays indicating that the ball struck his arm rather than the glove.

Sarwan, however, was a joy to watch, scoring freely through the off-side with a series of flowing drives. He was eventually the victim of an error of judgement and a fine piece of fielding from 17 year-old debutant Hamilton Masakadza.

The teenager moved quickly from mid-off to throw down the stumps at the non-striker's end. It was a decision that required the television umpire, replays revealing Sarwan was only inches short of safety.

His innings lasted just over five hours from 226 balls and included 13 boundaries. It was the fourth time he has been run out in his fledgling Test career.

Sarwan and Marlon Samuels shared a partnership worth 79 for the fifth wicket, before Raymond Price dismissed Samuels for 39 with a delivery that turned to take the edge as the batsman came forward, Alistair Campbell holding a good low catch at slip.

Courtney Browne made 13, but fell to the second new-ball, edging Andy Blignaut into the gloves of Tatenda Taibu. Stuart was lbw to Bryan Strang for one and number eight Neil McGarrell flashed an edge to gully after making a useful 33.

The innings ended when Marlon Black was clean bowled by Price, but the bowling honours went to Strang, rewarded with figures of four for 83 from 32 overs of nagging line and length.

Earlier, Shivnarine Chander-paul was dismissed in the first over of the day bowled by Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, the left-hander fending at a delivery outside the off-stump and edging behind to Taibu. He did not add to his overnight 74, facing 90 balls and striking 13 fours.

West Indies captain Carl Hooper got into full stride almost immediately, taking his team past Zimbabwe's first innings 131 with a sumptuous back-foot drive through cover for four off Streak.

The skipper fell in the first over of Strang's second spell of the day though, well caught by Streak at mid-wicket for 39 as the ball flew off the inside of the bat as he looked to drive through the off-side.

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe first innings 131

West Indies first innings

(overnight 126-2)

S.Chanderpaul c Taibu b Streak 74

R.Sarwan run out (Masakadza) 86

C.Hooper c Streak b B.Strang 39

M.Samuels c Campbell b Price 39

C.Browne c Taibu b Blignaut 13

N.McGarrell c sub b B.Strang 33

C.Stuart lbw b B Strang 1

M.Black b Price 6

R.King not out 2

Extras (lb-2, nb-1, w-2) 5

Total 347

Fall: 1-14, 2-114, 3-126, 4-180, 5-259, 6-283, 7-333, 8-338, 9-345

Bowling: Streak 22-6-75-1, B.Strang 32-13-83-4, Blignaut 16-2-92-2 (w-2), Price 35.2-13-81-2 (nb-1), G.Flower 6-3-14-0.

Zimbabwe second innings

D.Ebrahim c Browne b Stuart 12

A.Campbell not out 9

Extras (lb-4, nb-2) 6

Total (for one wicket) 27

Bowling: King 3-1-3-0, Black 3-0-12-0 (nb-2) McGarrell 1-0-8-0, Stuart 0.3-0-0-1.

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