Zimbabwe put on the back foot

Zimbabwe 155 West Indies 1

The West Indies dominated the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe here yesterday, bowling out the hosts for 155 before reaching 100 without loss in reply at the close.

The West Indies openers, Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga, continued their recent good form, both looking confident and assured in their shot selection as Gayle raced to an unbeaten 52 and Ganga 44.

Gayle was powerful all round the wicket, hitting 10 boundaries. The Zimbabwe batting succumbed meekly, with Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle, Craig Wishart and Heath Streak all guilty of rash shots.

The visitors attack boasted just 18 Tests and 55 wickets before the game, but deserved its rewards, Reon King taking 4 for 51 and Colin Stuart 3 for 45.

Pedro Collins, who had not bowled for more than a year, made the early breakthrough, the left-armer trapping Dion Ebrahim lbw in his second over.

Collins struck again to remove Carlisle for 10. Campbell, on 21, chased a wide delivery from King, the edge comfortably taken by the wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, and Zimbabwe were 31 for 3.

Wishart then took the attack to the tourists, reaching 36, before he drove straight to Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Grant Flower was out shortly after lunch for six, and the captain Streak, on five, gave Chanderpaul another catch off the bowling of Neil McGarrell.