ZIMBABWE began their tour of West Indies on a positive note, prevailing in a tense encounter against UWI Vice Chancellor’s XI by five runs in St Augustine on Friday. Tatenda Taibu, who the tourists will rely heavily on, starred with a century, guiding his team to a competitive 281, which it just about managed to defend. Much of the success owed to a collective bowling effort, for UWI were cruising at 195 for 3 at one stage. But three wickets then fell for 22 runs and the lower order, despite useful contributions, struggled against a determined performance at the death by the Zimbabweans.
Taibu’s century followed starts from each of the Zimbabwean top three, but he ran short of support once the total had passed 200. The last six wickets fell for 80 runs, undermining a solid platform laid earlier in the innings. UWI suffered the same fate after the top order - Kraigg Brathwaite and Nekoli Parris added 136 for the third wicket — had tilted the balance in their favour. Chris Mpofu, Kyle Jarvis and Elton Chigumbura bagged two wickets each to ensure the total Taibu had helped post proved just adequate.
Meanwhile Taibu believes the visitors can topple West Indies in their forthcoming limited-overs series starting today.
The former national captain expects Zimbabwe to punch above their weight and deliver a stinging blow to the confidence of a West Indies side still vulnerable following a recent hiding by Australia.
“We want to win the games, and we really want to start playing hard cricket again,” said the pint-sized Taibu.
“Zimbabwe cricket has been respected (as having) ups and downs, but we really want to stamp our authority now and start performing as expected.”
Taibu has plenty of faith in the other players in the side, particularly off-spin bowling captain Prosper Utseya and batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri, whose combined experience of more than 200 One Day Internationals will be vital. — Supersport/Cricinfo.

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