High Bowling Efficiency hands West Indies series win
West Indies took an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series, achieved by an efficient bowling performance which was led by Dwayne Bravo’s four wicket haul.
Chris Gayle won the toss and elected to field first, hoping that his bowlers can use the moisture in the pitch at the start. The hosts were successful in causing the early damage with three crucial wickets inside the Quick start period. Zimbabwe were 41 for three at the end of 10 overs and things went from bad to worse as they lost another three wickets in quick succession, reducing them 62 for six at the end of just 19 overs. Elton Chigumbura and Greg Lamb added 26 runs for the seventh wicket before Graeme Cramer joined Chigumbura to add another 41 for the eighth. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for just 141 in 48.1 overs. Dwayne Bravo was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets.
The hosts started with a brisk 46-run opening partnership in their run chase but were reduced to 58 for two at the end of the first Power Play with Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul back in the hut. Adrian Barath went soon after and a middle order collapse was on the cards. But Denesh Ramdin and Narsingh Deonarine added 31 runs for the fourth wicket which brought them back on course. Ramdin and Dwayne Bravo went in quick succession and Zimbabwe sensed an opportunity to stage a comeback. But Kieron Pollard scored a solid 22, which nearly took West Indies home. They eventually got to their target in the 35th over.
Dwayne Bravo was adjudged Man of the Match. He finished with four wickets for 21 runs off his nine overs which also earned him a Bowling Efficiency of 514.
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