KINGSTON, MARCH 28: Courtney Walsh became the most successful bowler in Test cricket on Monday to leave West Indies poised for a runaway victory over Zimbabwe.
Wavel Hinds, fielding at short leg, snapped up Zimbabwe tail-ender Henry Olonga, and Walsh promptly fell to the ground in relief as he realised he had achieved the target. Olonga’s dismissal completed the second-innings demolition of Zimbabwe for 102 and gave the ever-reliable Walsh top bowling figures of three for 21.
West Indies, which reached eight without loss before the close, need another 64 to win the match and the two-Test series 2-0 on the final day on Tuesday.
Before Walsh and his pace partners went to work on Zimbabwe’s batting, Jimmy Adams celebrated his appointment as West Indies captain by completing a century.
Adams, who replaced Brian Lara after the disastrous tour of New Zealand, made an unbeaten 101 as his team totaled 339 to gain a first-innings lead of 31. His sixth Test century came off 373 balls and included six fours.
The left-hander, a picture of patience throughout his dogged 507-minute innings, was given great support in an eighth-wicket partnership of 147 by fast-bowler Franklyn Rose, who made 69.
It was Rose’s second-highest first-class score and his best at Sabina Park. He hit 11 fours and faced 179 balls. The pair broke the 26-year-old West Indies eighth-wicket record of 124, between Sir Vivian Richards and the late Keith Boyce.
Scoreboard
Zimbabwe (1st innings) 308
West Indies (1st innings; overnight 295-7): A Griffith b Johnson 6, S Campbell c Campbell b Murphy 48, C Gayle c A Flower b Olonga 13, S Chanderpaul c A Flower b Strang 12, J Adams not out 101, W Hinds c Campbell b Murphy 14, R Jacobs c A Flower b Olonga 27, C Ambrose c Carlisle b Johnson 7, F Rose c A Flower b Johnson 69, C Walsh c G Flower b Johnson 0, R King b Olonga 4; Extras (b8, lb18, nb12) 38. Total (all out, 164.1 overs) 339
Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-69, 3-85, 4-85, 5-122, 6-161, 7-170, 8-318, 9-318.
Bowling: Olonga 31.1-8-65-3, Strang 36-17-43-1, Johnson 37-15-77-4, Murphy 36-12-99-2, G Flower 18-9-14-0, Gripper 6-2-15-0
Zimbabwe (2nd innings): G Flower c Hinds b Walsh 11, T Gripper c Jacobs b Walsh 0, M Goodwin b King 9, A Campbell lbw b Ambrose 22, A Flower b King 10, N Johnson b Rose 29, S Carlisle lbw b Gayle 7, B Murphy not out 0, B Strang c Ambrose b Rose 3, H Olonga c Hinds b Walsh 2. H Streak did not bat; Extras (lb 4, nb 5) 9. Total (all out, 59.5 overs) 102
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-14, 3-37, 4-48, 5-72, 6-90, 7-96, 8-100, 9-102.
Bowling: Ambrose 16-9-14-1, Walsh 15.5-6-21-3, Rose 12-5-24-2, King 10-1-30-2, Gayle 6-3-9-1.
West Indies (2nd innings): S Campbell batting 3, A Griffith batting 4; Extras (nb1) 1. Total (for no wicket in 3 overs) 8
Bowling: Strang 2-0-5-0, Johnson 1-0-3-0.