Nyauchi keeps West Indies in check on rain-spoiled day

Zimbabwe – 115 all out in 40.5 overs (Innocent Kaia 38, Donald Tiripano 23*, Craig Ervine 22; Gudakesh Motie 7/37, Jason Holder 2/18, Alzarri Joseph 1/29) 

West Indies – 290-8 in 90.4 overs (Roston Chase 70, Raymon Reifer 53, Joshua Da Silva 44; Victor Nyauchi 3/56, Brandon Mavuta 3/73, Wellington Masakadza 1/58)

 

Day 2 – Stumps: West Indies lead by 175 runs

Some excellent pace bowling from Victor Nyauchi restricted the West Indies’ advance on a rain-spoiled second day of the second Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday.

The tourists began the day with a score of 133 for four wickets, in reply to Zimbabwe’s total of 115 all out – Kyle Mayers had eight and Roston Chase five.

The fifth-wicket pair continued to bat confidently until the score reached 184, when once again Brandon Mavuta stepped in.

Mayers drove a delivery slightly uppishly on the off side, but straight to extra cover, where Wellington Masakadza picked up a very good ankle-high catch – the third umpire confirmed its validity and the batter had to go for 30.

A good partnership then developed between Chase and Joshua da Silva, who batted steadily rather than aggressively and added 85 for the sixth wicket.

Then, with the score at 269, Nyauchi with the second new ball produced a superb delivery that moved in on Chase and sneaked through the gap between bat and pad to bowl him out for 70.

Afternoon drinks were taken as Jason Holder came in, but only two further balls were bowled when rain began to fall, forcing the players from the field.

It was a heavy shower and caused a long delay, tea being taken early.

After a due drying-up process, play started again at 4.30pm.

Almost immediately, with only a single added, Nyauchi produced another outstanding delivery, moving the ball in to da Silva and hitting his off stump to bowl him out for 44.

Alzarri Joseph came in, hit the first ball he faced for four, and attempted another big hit off the next, but skyed the ball over midwicket.

Tanu Makoni turned, ran back and dived to take a brilliant catch, to make the West Indies 274 for eight.

Play was to only last for another 20 minutes after the break, though, as at 4.50pm rain began to fall again, and this ended play for the day.

The West Indies were 290 for eight wickets, with Holder on three and Gudakesh Modie 11, and therefore have a lead of 175 runs over Zimbabwe with two first-innings wickets in hand.