Bishoo spins West Indies to win over Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Legspinner Devendra Bishoo proved Zimbabwe’s nemesis once more as he spun the West Indies to a 117-run victory in the first Test at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday.

Bishoo followed up his 5 for 79 in the first innings with figures of 4 for 105 in the second, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 316 to lose the match inside four days.

While Zimbabwe were once again guilty of some soft dismissals, which included two calamitous run-outs, Bishoo played a key role in slicing through the Zimbabwean middle order.

“After seeing how Zimbabwe bowled on the first day, I knew I would have a big role to play in the match,” said Bishoo.

“But it was important to be patient on this pitch, and stick to a plan.”

After putting up more of a fight with the bat in their second innings, when Brendan Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza scored half-centuries, Zimbabwe were left to rue their performance on the second day when they were bowled out for 159 in reply to West Indies’ first innings of 219.

“We had a really good opportunity there to go and put some runs on the board and put them under pressure, but we had too many soft dismissals on day two,” said Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer, whose legspin claimed eight wickets in the match.

“We couldn’t quite work out how to score against their bowlers on this wicket.”

Once the West Indies had scored 373 in their second innings, which was wrapped up when Roston Chase fell for 95 on the fourth morning, Zimbabwe’s challenge was a worldrecord chase of 434 to win.

They made a bright start, with Masakadza and Solomon Mire putting on 99 for the first wicket at a brisk rate, before both openers fell in quick succession.

Masakadza was caught at short leg for 57 - his first half-century in almost three years - before Mire (47) was undone by some sharp reverse swing from fast bowler Kemar Roach. - AFP