Zimbabwe were first to bat in Harare, after West Indies won the toss and elected to field, and Zimbabwe suffered from a case of early wobbles that raised the spectre of another batting collapse. Four outstanding performances and two very useful partnerships helped Zimbabwe towards a total they can be proud of, though: first the pairing of Chamu Chibhabha (Zim’s top-scorer with 73) and Hamilton Masakdaza, who put on 90 for the 4th wicket, then later Elton Chigumbura and Stuart Matsikenyeri, who combined to put on 89 for the 6th wicket. Zimbabwe finished on 274/8, leaving the Windies needing 275 at 5.5/over from their 50 overs. Chris Gayle was the best of the bunch for the visitors, with 2/35.
In reply, West Indies never really got going - only Shivnarine Chanderpaul, unbeaten on 127, showed any sort of class, while Zimbabwe’s bowlers maintained a vice-like grip on the run-rate from the word go. Utseya and Price delivered 20 overs of miserly spin between them, with Chigumbura, Brent, Mazakadza and Chibhabha all chipping in with wickets. Chigumbura was the best of the bunch, with 3/25. The Windies were able to bat out their innings, but they never looked in contention and finished 31 runs short of the target.
And so Zimbabwe gain a morale-boosting win in the series opener, and the right to wave two defiant fingers at their critics. Next up: 2nd ODI in Harare on Sunday. Match commentary are full scorecard below the cut.
Zimbabwe 274/8 (Chibhabha 73, Gayle 2/35), West Indies 244/8 (Chanderpaul 127*, Chigumbura 3/25). Zimbabwe win by 30 runs, lead series 1-0 with 4 to play.
West Indies won the toss and elected to field. Vusi Sibanda and Brendan Taylor to open for Zimbabwe, Daren Powell and Ravi Rampaul are the bowlers for the Windies.
Zimbabwe Innings
5.0 overs Zimbabwe 13/0
Decent start for Zim - possibly not scoring as quickly as they could be, but both batsmen are looking steady.
7.0 overs Zimbabwe 27/1 V Sibanda c Ramdin b Powell 14
Spoke too soon. Sibanda plays one that was pitching outside off stump and gives an outside edge to Ramdin. Chamu Chibhabha is in at #3.
10.0 overs Zimbabwe 41/1
Taylor’s back into playing the anchor role, and is currently on 21. Chibhabha’s taking a while to get settled, with 4 off 9 balls. WI take the second Powerplay, Jerome Taylor comes on to replace Powell.
12.0 overs Zimbabwe 57/1
Big over for Zim - 11 runs off it (Taylor 7, Chibhabha 4), Zim maybe looking to get some momentum going?
12.1 overs Zimbabwe 57/1 BRM Taylor run out 27
…but that’s not the way to do it. Taylor takes off for a single when there’s no time for it, gets caught well short. Taibu is next at #4.
15.0 overs Zimbabwe 63/2
Zimbabwe have become a bit becalmed since Taylor’s wicket, which puts a bit of pressure on them. WI take the final Powerplay, and Dwayne Bravo replaces Rampaul in the bowling attack.
17.4 overs Zimbabwe 78/3 T Taibu c Ramdin b Bravo 10
Rerun of Sibanda’s dismissal, as Ramdin takes another easy catch behind. Zimbabwe definitely wobbling a bit. Hamilton Masakadza is next to the crease at #5.
20.0 overs Zimbabwe 82/3
Current run-rate of 4.10 isn’t too bad for this stage of an ODI, but on home turf I’d have liked to see Zim doing better. Chibhabha’s looking good on 26, Masakadza yet to score.
21.0 overs Zimbabwe 93/3
Busy over for Chibhabha, racking up 11 runs off Taylor’s bowling - looking quite impressive now. Still nothing from Masakadza, though…
22.0 overs Change of bowling - Rawl Lewis brings some spin to the party, replacing Taylor.
25.0 overs Zimbabwe 109/3
Chibhabha closing on his half-century, on 44; Masakadza’s off the marks with 8 from 20 balls faced. Partnership 31 - they need to keep this up if Zim are to fully recover from their early losses. Change of bowler, as Powell returns to replace Bravo.
29.1 overs Zimbabwe 129/3
That’s the 50 up for Chamu Chibhabha. A fine knock - now, how about a century?
30.0 overs Zimbabwe 133/3
Current runrate is 4.54. Steady as she goes for a while yet would be the aim for Zimbabwe, before opening up in the final 10 overs. If they can manage that with a decent number of wickets still in hand, they should be able to post a score they can defend.
33.0 overs Change of bowlers - Chris Gayle in to replace Powell.
35.0 overs Zimbabwe 167/3
Slow but steady. Like the tortoise. He won the race. Although the 10 runs off this over will always be useful - including a nice big 6 from Chibhabha.
35.2 Zimbabwe 168/4 CJ Chibhabha lbw b Gayle 73
And he was doing so well, too. Still, that was a very usesful knock from Chibhabha at just the time Zimbabwe needed it. A missed sweep allows the ball through to hit his pads, and off he goes. Another big hitter, Elton Chigumbura, is in at #6.
37.2 overs Zimbabwe 175/5 H Masakadza lbw b Gayle 36
Zimbabwe are wobbling again, as Masakadza follows Chibhabha back to the pavilion. Stay away from the Keg & Maiden, boys. His 36 is another useful contribution, though - but that leaves to new batsmen - Chibumbura and Stuart Matsikenyeri - at the crease, and that may well slow Zim down when they really need to be speeding up…
40.0 overs Zimbabwe 190/5
Chigumbura at least seems to recognise the need for speed - he’s on 16 off 16 balls. Matsikenyeri is going a little slower, with 4 off 7. We’re into the crucial final 10 overs now - if Zim maintain their current scoring rate, they’re looking at around 240. They should be able to push it beyond that, though…
42.0 overs Zimbabwe 201/5
That’s 200 up for Zimbabwe, and the over included a wonderful six from Matsikenyeri. Is he about to take the bull by the horns? Change of bowler, with Taylor replacing Lewis.
43.0 overs Zimbabwe 210/5
9 off that over, helped by 2 wides from Taylor. Zim have upped their scoring rate a bit - if they maintain it where it is now, we’re looking at 250.
44.0 overs Zimbabwe 221/5
11 from the over - another 6 over midwicket from Chigumbura, who’s doing just what he does best. Current target: 263.
45.0 overs Zimbabwe 229/5
Both batsmen are playing it around nicely at the moment, and if we can avoid losing any more wickets there’s plenty of scope for a slogfest in the final overs. Current prediction: 267. Change of bowler: Bravo replaces Gayle.
46.0 overs Zimbabwe 238/5
Current prediction: 273. Some good play out there…
47.0 overs Zimbabwe 253/5
14 off the over. The slogging continues - which is just at it should be at this stage of the match. Current prediction: 284.
48.0 overs Zimbabwe 264/6 E Chigumbura c Rampaul b Bravo 38
That was unfortunate, although probably not unexpected - Zim have wickets in hand, so it’s not a disaster. Looking to heave to the boundary & didn’t quite time it right, leading to the catch. 11 off the over, anyway, and a current prediction of 285 if the new batsman (Prosper Utseya) can carry on the slogging.
48.5 overs Zimbabwe 269/7 S Matsikenyeri b Taylor 55
Where Chibumbura just mistimed his heave, Matiskenyeri missed it completely, and that’s the end of him - although 55 at a strike-rate of 137.50 really can’t be sneezed at. Keith Dabengwa is next in. I’d be happy with 275 at this point.
49.0 overs Zimbabwe 270/8 KM Dabengwa b Taylor 0
An easy call for shortest performance of the innings - faces two balls (one of them a wide), before doing exactly what Matsikenyeri had done two balls earlier. Gary Brent is next.
50.0 overs Zimbabwe 274/8
And that’s that. West Indies require 275 to win, at 5.5/over - they can reach that, but Zimbabwe equally have a good chance of stopping them. More later.
West Indies Innings
Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo to open for the Windies, with Elton Chigumbura and Gary Brent taking the new ball for Zimbabwe.
2.3 overs West Indies 2/1 CH Gayle c & b Chigumbura 2
Best possible start for Zimbabwe, as Gayle swings too early and hits it straight back to the bowler. Dangerman Shivnarine Chanderpaul is next in.
5.0 overs West Indies 12/1
Current run-rate 2.40; 5.84 required.
6.3 overs West Indies 22/2 DS Smith c Taibu b Chigumbura 5
Another one for Chigumbura, and Zimbabwe are off to a flyer. Edged behind to Taibu. Marlon Samuels is next in at #3.
9.0 overs West Indies 29/2
Dropped opportunity - Samuels edges it to slip, but they aren’t able to hold it.
10.0 overs West Indies 31/2
Run-rate 3.10, required 6.10. Chibhabha in to replace Brent, and Zimbabwe take the 2nd Powerplay. Good start for the home side, but another few wickets would be nice…
15.0 overs West Indies 60/2
10 runs off that over - the most expesive one for Zimbabwe so far - but Zim are still in firm control of the run-rate. Currently at 4.0, required 6.14. Chanderpaul’s on 38 off 37 balls, and is the one Zimbabwe need to get rid of. 3rd Powerplay is taken.
19.0 overs Bowling change - Hamilton Masakadza replaces Chigumbura.
19.4 overs West Indies 77/3 MN Samuels c Taibu b Masakadza 25
Immediate results for Masakadza, as Samuels edges behind for another Taibu catch. Runako Morton is next in.
20.0 overs West Indies 77/3
Current run-rate 3.85, required rate 6.60. Zimbabwe still have the upper hand. “Dots” Utseya comes in to replace Chibhabha with some hopefully-economic spin…
21.0 overs Bowling change - more spin as Ray Price replaces Masakadza.
25.0 overs West Indies 90/3
Current run-rate 3.60, required 7.40. Zimbabwe are tightening the screws with some very economic bowling.
30.0 overs West Indies 108/3
Current run-rate 3.60, required 8.35. West Indies will need to be careful or this is going to get beyond them - although they still have plenty of wickets in hand.
32.2 overs West Indies 122/3
Chanderpaul is dropped by Sibanda - should have been a simple take, and with Chanderpaul being as good as he is, Zimbabwe could regret that.
33.1 overs West Indies 126/4
Another life for Chanderpaul, as a good run-out attempt is referred to the third umpire, who gives the green light. Good combined effort by Chigumbura and Taibu, though.
35.0 overs West Indies 134/3
Current run-rate 3.82, required rate 9.40. Zimbabwe should be able to win it from here.
39.0 overs West Indies 160/3
That’s the end of Utseya’s spell - 10 overs, no maidens, 45 runs, no wickets.
40.0 overs West Indies 165/3
Price finishes his spell - 10 overs, no maidens, 41 runs, no wickets. A good, economic spell. Chanderpaul, meanwhile, is receiving treatment for cramp. Current run-rate 4.12, required rate 11.00 - it would be a miracle for West Indies to win from here… Keith Dabengwa comes on to replace Utseya. Last 10 overs.
41.0 overs West Indies 174/3
Bix six off the last ball for Morton, who may be looking to up the pace - it was a dropped catch chance, too. 9 off the over; current run-rate 4.22, required 11.43. Chibhabha replaces Price.
42.0 overs West Indies 178/3
Bowling change - Masakadza replaces Dabengwa, whose last over was maybe a bit too expensive for Utseya’s liking. Current run-rate 4.25, required rate 11.87.
43.0 overs West Indies 181/3
Current run-rate 4.22, required 14.66.
44.0 overs West Indies 188/3
Current run-rate 4.26, required 14.91.
44.1 overs West Indies 189/3
That’s Chanderpaul’s century - although it seems it’s in a losing cause.
45.0 overs West Indies 196/3
Current run-rate 4.31, required rate 16.20.
45.2 overs West Indies 195/4 RS Morton b Chibhabha 54
Another one down, although it’s largely academic now. Heave & a miss. Chanderpaul has a runner on for him - seems his cramping hasn’t quite left him. Lewis is next man in.
46.0 overs West Indies 207/4
12 off the over - Lewis looks like putting up a fight, and started with a six and a four - and was dropped off the final ball of the over. Still unlikley to be enough, though. Current run-rate 4.50, required 17.00. Brent comes on to complete his spell.
46.4 overs West Indies 210/5 RN Lewis c Chigumbura b Brent 14
Lewis finds that slogging has its dangers - namely Elton Chigumbura’s safe hands at deep square leg. Dwayne Bravo is the next man to the crease.
47.0 overs West Indies 212/5
Current run-rate 4.49, required rate 22.23. Formality now.
47.1 overs West Indies 212/6 DJ Bravo b Chibhabha 0
Swing and a miss. This is turning into a very pleasing rout, now. Denesh Ramdin is next.
48.0 overs West Indies 224/6
Zim… Zim… Zim-bab-we! 
Current 4.67, require 25.50. Chibhabha is off for treatment by the physio after pulling up on the last ball of the over - hopefully nothing serious, but he’s done his work for this game.
49.0 overs West Indies 238/6
That sound you hear is the fat lady warming up. West Indies are hitting around now, but it’s far too little, far too late. The purely academic run-rate figures: current 4.86, required 37.00. Final over.
49.2 overs West Indies 241/7 D Ramdin run out 8
And the humiliation continues. Masakadza fields, throws to Taibu, and Ramdin is history. Ravi Rampaul is next…
49.3 overs West Indies 214/8 R Rampaul c Utseya b Chigumbura 0
…for a brief cameo appearance. Mistimes his shot and skies it to a grateful Utseya. Jerome Taylor is the next lamb to the slaughter.
50.0 overs West Indies 244/8
Zimbabwe win by 30 runs. Let the party begin…
Zimbabwe innings
V Sibanda c Ramdin b Powell 14
BRM Taylor run out (Chanderpaul) 27
CJ Chibhabha lbw b Gayle 73
T Taibu c Ramdin b Bravo 10
H Masakadza lbw b Gayle 36
E Chigumbura c Rampaul b Bravo 38
S Matsikenyeri b Taylor 55
P Utseya not out 5
KM Dabengwa b Taylor 0
GB Brent not out 0
Extras (lb 7, w 9) 16
Total (8 wickets; 50 overs) 274
Did not bat: RW Price
Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Sibanda, 6.6 ov), 2-57 (Taylor, 12.1 ov),
3-78 (Taibu, 17.4 ov), 4-168 (Chibhabha, 35.2 ov),
5-175 (Masakadza, 37.2 ov), 6-264 (Chigumbura, 47.6 ov),
7-269 (Matsikenyeri, 48.5 ov), 8-270 (Dabengwa, 48.6 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
DBL Powell 9 0 49 1 5.44 (2w)
R Rampaul 7 1 28 0 4.00 (2w)
JE Taylor 10 0 67 2 6.70 (5w)
DJ Bravo 8 1 39 2 4.87
RN Lewis 10 0 49 0 4.90
CH Gayle 6 0 35 2 5.83
West Indies innings (target: 275 runs from 50 overs)
CH Gayle c & b Chigumbura 2
DS Smith c Taibu b Chigumbura 5
S Chanderpaul not out 127
MN Samuels c Taibu b Masakadza 25
RS Morton b Chibhabha 54
RN Lewis c Chigumbura b Brent 14
DJ Bravo b Chibhabha 0
D Ramdin run out (Masakadza/Taibu) 7
R Rampaul c Utseya b Chigumbura 0
JE Taylor not out 1
Extras (b 2, lb 2, w 4) 8
Total (8 wickets; 50 overs) 243
Did not bat: DBL Powell
Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Gayle, 2.3 ov), 2-22 (Smith, 6.3 ov),
3-77 (Samuels, 19.4 ov), 4-195 (Morton, 45.2 ov),
5-210 (Lewis, 46.4 ov), 6-212 (Bravo, 47.1 ov),
7-240 (Ramdin, 49.2 ov), 8-240 (Rampaul, 49.3 ov)
Bowling O M R W Econ
E Chigumbura 8 1 24 3 3.00 (2w)
GB Brent 9 1 42 1 4.66
CJ Chibhabha 9 0 64 2 7.11 (2w)
H Masakadza 3 0 14 1 4.66
P Utseya 10 0 45 0 4.50
RW Price 10 0 41 0 4.10
KM Dabengwa 1 0 9 0 9.00
I will have to eat humble pie about matsikinyeri now..Great running brtween the wickets and some good boundaries, This should keep williams out for a little longer presuming he recovers anyway, The only berth i can see opening up for him is masakadza’s, Yes he scored 36 but he never really looked comfortable, Couple of low scores from him and williams will be right back in it
I think picth has changed quite a bit at afternoon so it has become good batting track good effort by zim anyway needs to field brillantly. 274 is good score hope they get gayle and smauel quicky.
Yeah, I had to eat my words about Matsikenyeri as well.
Farhan, jimbo: feel free to join us in the match thread @ http://www.zimcricketforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7
This match is getting too close to call now WI 174-3 9 overs to go but with wickets in hand
Great performance all around by the guys - some poor fielding, but nothing else that could really be criticised. Now, can we have four more matches worth of it?
I just had to post my comment nomatter how late. I was elated and U know I had to sit on my Pc and cellphone the whole day just to follow the live score (on another website) since I couldnt watch the match live. Eish Stuart proved everybody wrong …he has all the skills and I hope he gains confidence. Masakadza I will repeat is like South Africas Jacque Rudolph/Hashim Amla he is a test player. Unless he ups his scoring rate its the same thing with Jacque Kallis he is scoring at a faster rate now to keep his One day place.