Windies just do enough

Windies struggle with the bat but just do enough to seal victory

Last updated: 14th March 2010  

Windies just do enough

Gayle: Match winner

Fifth One Day International
Kingstown
Zimbabwe 161 (C K Coventry 56) v West Indies 165-6 (C H Gayle 63)
West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 4 wkts

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West Indies made a real meal of their four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in another unconvincing victory that wrapped up a 4-1 ODI series victory.

The hosts bowled Zimbabwe out for just 161 to set up what looked an easy run chase to end their mixed series on a high in St Vincent.

Skipper Chris Gayle fired a typically explosive 63 to get their innings off to a great start, but wickets tumbled and it needed Kieron Pollard's 36 to get them over the line in the end.

Although it took just under 28 overs to reach their victory target, the manner of their 165-6 will have given the Windies little cause for optimism as they threatened to throw it all away until Pollard's knock.

Zimbabwe recovered from a woeful start to at least make a total to try and defend, as at 25-5 it did not look as though the tourists would get anywhere near 161, but a battling effort from Charles Coventry and useful contributions from most of the lower order got them out of jail.

Bowling

Darren Sammy and Ravi Rampaul ran through the Zimbabwe batting line-up early on to further dent the confidence of a side which had already conceded the series after going 3-1 down heading into the last match.

Coventry came in with his side on the ropes but slowly set about rebuilding the innings, and his 88-ball knock of 56 was steady rather than flamboyant but just what his team needed.

He received valuable support from Elton Chigumbura (19), Greg Lamb (16) and Graeme Cremer (19 not out), while Sammy was the pick of the Windies attack with 3-33 while Rampaul took 2-24.

With Gayle in full flow it looked as though his side would clinch victory in quick time, but he received precious little support from the rest of the top order with Adrian Barath and Darren Bravo both making just 14.

By the time Bravo departed, Gayle had already been and gone. His whirlwind innings lasted 41 balls and included eight fours and two sixes.

Anchor

Denesh Ramdin dropped anchor in a bid to see his side home although Zimbabwe remained in the hunt after dismissing Narsingh Deonarine (three) and Bravo (nought).

With Ramdin holding up one end with a patient 21 not out, Pollard decided attack was the best policy.

And he set about the Zimbabwe bowling from the off, blasting three fours and three sixes in a fearsome exhibition of power hitting.

He was finally out with just nine more needed and Ramdin and David Bernard did the honours to spark some wild celebrations among the home crowd.

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