From 1877 until World War One
Between the World Wars
Post War to the WSC Revolution
The Professional Era to the New Millennium
The New Millennium and Beyond
Other Pages
Home Page
Article Archive
How the System Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Statistical Points of Interest
Current and Future Series Predictions
Links
Site Map
Contact Us
Get Free e-mail ratings updates
Bulawayo
19 - 23 July 2001
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first. West Indies dominated the morning session taking the wickets of Ebrahim (0), Carlisle (10) and Campbell (21) in the first hour and then Wishart (36) shortly before lunch to have Zimbabwe 4 for 85 at the break. Zimbabwe failed to stop the rot in the afternoon session as they lost Grant Flower (6), Streak (5) and Whittall (42) to go to tea at 7 for 151. The West Indies wrapped up the final three wickets for the addition of another four runs after the tea break. King was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 51 off 17 overs. The West Indian openers then batted through to stumps while adding 101 runs to leave them only 50 runs in arrears.
The West Indian openers continued in the same manner as the previous day and batted through the entire second morning session to take the total to 171 without loss at lunch and a lead of 20 runs. Zimbabwe took their first wicket during the afternoon session when they dismissed Ganga (89). However, by tea West Indies had moved to 1 for 261 and a 110 run lead. Zimbabwe removed Chanderpaul (7) straight after the break and then Gayle (175) half an hour later. West Indies mean while took the total to 3 for 259 with a lead of 208 runs by stumps as they continued to bat Zimbabwe out of the Test.
West Indies continued to mount a very large lead on the third morning. After dropping two chances in the morning session, Zimbabwe dismissed Sarwan (58) but West Indies went to lunch at 4 for 498 with Hooper having passed his century. Zimbabwe had more luck in the afternoon session when they dismissed Samuels (42) and Hooper (149). The declaration finally came half an hour before tea at 6 for 559 with a lead of 404 runs. Streak, Strang and Price each took two wickets for in excess of 100 runs. Zimbabwe went to tea with ten runs for no wicket in reply. After the break the openers held off the West Indian attack and took the total to 112 runs at stumps, still needing 292 runs to force the West Indies to bat again.
The Zimbabwean openers posted a record first wicket stand during the morning session until Ebrahim (71) was dismissed at 1 for 164. Taibu (4) fell soon afterwards and at lunch Zimbabwe was 2 for 171 still 233 runs behind. West Indies cut through the batsmen in the afternoon session dismissing six batsmen. With the exception of Campbell (103), no other batsmen reached double figures and at tea Zimbabwe was 8 for 222 and all hope had deserted the field. West Indies claimed the final wickets soon after the break for a total of 228 runs and a victory by an innings and 176 runs. McGarrell was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 38 off 24 overs.
Second Test
Harare
27 - 31 July 2001
West Indies won the toss and asked Zimbabwe to bat first. The decision paid off as the West Indian pace attack dismissed Ebrahim (19), Campbell (13) and Masakadaza (9) in the first hour to be 3 for 43. Zimbabwe then consolidated and limped to lunch at 3 for 62. However, Wishart (8) was dismissed first ball of the afternoon session and the rest of the wickets tumbled for an innings total of 131 runs when an early tea was taken. Whittall (43) was the only batsmen to make an impact while McGarrell was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 23 off 17 overs. Zimbabwe managed to dismiss Gayle (6) and Ganga (46) as the West Indies finished the day on top at 2 for 126 only 5 runs in arrears.
Zimbabwe started the second morning by dismissing Chanderpaul (74) in the first over. However, while they later dismissed Hooper (39), West Indies began compiling an impressive lead and at lunch they were 4 for 204. Zimbabwe again claimed two wickets in the afternoon session, dismissing Samuels (39) and Browne (13), however West Indies added another 110 runs to the lead to be 6 for 314 at tea. Zimbabwe wrapped up the innings in the evening session as once they ran out Sarwan (86) at 7 for 333 the remaining three wickets fell for an innings total of 347 runs. Strang was the best of the bowlers with 4 for 83 off 32 overs. At stumps Zimbabwe was 1 for 27 still needing another 189 runs to force West Indies to bat again.
West Indies dismissed Campbell (65) on the third morning but the Zimbabwe batsmen refused to collapse as they took the score to 2 for 139 at lunch. The fight continued after lunch and the West Indies were unable to break through. Zimbabwe erased the deficit and went to tea at 2 for 258 and a lead of 42 runs. West Indies finally broke through by running out Wishart (93) and then trapping Whittall (12) in front of his stumps. At stumps Zimbabwe looked in a position to make a fight of the game at 2 for 324 with seventeen-year-old debutant Masakadza not out on 115 and a lead of 108 runs.
West Indies finally dismissed Masakadza (119) in the first hour of the fourth day to have Zimbabwe 5 for 333. Grant Flower (15) fell in the second hour of play but Zimbabwe added another 94 runs to their lead in the session to be 6 for 418 at lunch. West Indies struggled to contain Zimbabwe after lunch. While they dismissed Blignaut (92) and Taibu (10) Zimbabwe powered on through captain Streak to be 9 for 539 at the tea break with an overall lead of 323 runs. Zimbabwe was eventually dismissed for 563 runs shortly after tea with Streak stranded on 79 not out. Stuart (3 for 99 off 32 overs) and McGarrell (3 for 157 off 59 overs) shared the bowling honours. West Indies began their chase of the 348 run victory target by losing Ganga (5) and when bad light stopped play West Indies was 1 for 42 needing another 306 runs for what looks an unlikely victory.
The final day was ruined by unseasonal rain. The rain interrupted morning session was cut short by almost half an hour and then constant rain periods kept the players from the field for most of the remaining time. Gayle (52*) and Sarwan (31*) remained not out with the total 1 for 98 when the game was finally abandoned and the result announced as a draw giving West Indies their first series victory away from home since 1995.
