BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
BULAWAYO – Tagenarine Chanderpaul hit a double hundred on Monday before West Indies declared on 447-6 in its first innings of the first test against host Zimbabwe, which was 114-3 on the close of play on day three.
The 26-year-old opener, son of former West Indies star Shivnarine Chanderpaul, reached his maiden test hundred on a rain-affected second day, alongside fellow opener and captain Kraigg Brathwaite.
The Caribbean side had continued on 221-0.
The two openers took over from where they started on the first two days, dominating on a flat pitch, after they both cracked centuries on day two.
Leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta took a five-for for Zimbabwe, playing in only his third test match and for the first time since 2018.
“It’s all about realising that it’s test cricket, it’s about patience and persistence, and today it paid off. I enjoy bowling on this kind of surface. It’s a spinning wicket. But it’s still quite a big job to tackle,” said Mavuta.
“It’s been five years, it’s nice to be back playing Test cricket again. I’m quite happy to be back in the team, and to be in the position we are. I’m pretty chuffed to contribute. I’ve always tried to do that in every team I’ve been part of.”
In reply, Zimbabwe lost three wickets after lunch, debutant opener Tanunurwa Makoni (33) and veteran returnee Chamu Chibhabha (9) both caught behind. Then captain Craig Ervine (13) was bowled on the last ball of the day by spinner Brathwaite with a delivery that bounced and turned in sharply.
Andre Coley, the West Indies interim coach, was satisfied with his team’s progress, but had to answer questions about a host players from the islands not available to test cricket.
“I’m sure if you ask any of those players, they will tell you that they would like to play Test cricket for the West Indies,” said Coley. “It’s something that we need to have a conversation about. Mind you, these guys are professional cricketers. It has to be a mutually beneficially agreement. As the West Indies, we want to have the best players possible.”
