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This is an archive article published on March 19, 2007

After the perfect start, WI look ahead

Hosts West Indies could become the first side to confirm a place in the Super Eights at the World Cup, when they face Zimbabwe at Sabina Park here tomorrow.

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Hosts West Indies could become the first side to confirm a place in the Super Eights at the World Cup, when they face Zimbabwe at Sabina Park here tomorrow.

West Indies had the perfect start to the first World Cup ever staged on Caribbean soil, when they prevailed over Pakistan by 54 runs in the opening match of the competition last Tuesday.

Events over the last few days, however, will make West Indies aware that they cannot take the Zimbabweans too lightly, or else they may be embarrassed in much the same way Ireland shamed Pakistan on Saturday. The Sabina Park pitch has been the topic of much consideration, following Saturday’s match, but Chanderpaul believes batsmen have to be more patient to score runs.

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“It’s not like the Sabina Park pitches in the past,” he said.

Zimbabwe will have to defy history to overcome West Indies. They have never beaten the hosts in a World Cup match in four attempts, and they have also lost the two one-dayers they have contested against them at Sabina Park.

Men in Action

Zimbabwe: Prosper Utseya (captain), Gary Brent, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Terry Duffin, Anthony Ireland, Friday Kasteni, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Edward Rainsford, Vusumuzi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams. Coach: Kevin Curran

West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Bravo, S Chanderpaul, C Collymore, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Marlon Samuels, R Sarwan, L Simmons, D Smith, D Smith, J Taylor.

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OFFICIALS: Ian Gould, Simon Taufel; Third Umpire: Billy Bowden; Fourth Umpire: Brian Jerling, Referee: Roshan Mahanama.

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