Zimbabwe is bracing for a tough Test match series following the return of West Indies’ experienced internationals Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and test specialist batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Kemar Roach and off-spinner Shane Shillingford have also been included for the two Tests that begin at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Tuesday.
The biggest threat is however from stroke-maker Samuels who struck an impressive 260 in the West Indies’ last test against Bangladesh late last year.
After completing a limited over series clinical sweep, West Indies are still favourites to claim the test series.
From the squad that played in three One Day Internationals (ODI) and two Twenty20 matches, the hosts have dropped off-spinner Sunil Narine and Fidel Edwards.
As noted in West Indies captain Dareen Sammy’s statement, soon after the limited overs triumph, the islanders are enjoying a stroll in the park against Zimbabwe.
“We did not just win, we beat them convincingly. That’s the kind of performances, whether we play Australia or Zimbabwe, we look to put in on the cricket field,” Sammy told West Indies Cricket Board Media.
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On the Zimbabwean side, leg-spinner Graham Cremer and Ray Price who joined the squad for the Test matches are expected to add value to Zimbabwe’s poor bowling.
Hamilton Masakadza gave Zimbabwe some batting improvement hope after hitting 109 runs in a warm-up match against Sagicor High Performance Centre on Friday in a match where Cremer claimed five wickets.
