Zimbabwe to reckon with Gayle force, Hindstorm

PORT-OF-SPAIN, MARCH 16: Left-handers Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds will make their debuts for the West Indies, and it appears so too will ...

PORT-OF-SPAIN, MARCH 16: Left-handers Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds will make their debuts for the West Indies, and it appears so too will Tatenda Taibu for Zimbabwe in the opening cricket Test at Queen’s Park Oval starting here on Thursday.

The 20-year-old Gayle has been rewarded for being the leading scorer in this year’s West Indies first-class championship. His 623 runs at an average of 56.63 was an integral part of Jamaica lifting the domestic championship, their first regional four-day title in 1992.

The 23-year-old Hinds, who has played 12 limited-overs internationals, was a little unlucky not have played in the ill-starred two Tests against New Zealand a few months ago. He made just 273 runs at an average of 30.33 in the championship, but the selectors have kept faith with him and given him a chance to prove if he suits this level of cricket.

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Hinds will bring to seven the number who can bat left-handed in the final 11 for the Caribbean side. The others are captain Jimmy Adams, opening batsman Adrian Griffith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs and fast bowler Curtly Ambrose.

Zimbabwe flew teenager Taibu into the Caribbean yesterday and he could walk right into the Test.

The 17-year-old, Zimbabwe’s ‘keeper at this year’s Youth World Cup in Sri Lanka, has been brought to the Caribbean to be a back-up for captain Andy Flower, Zimbabwe’s regular wicketkeeper.

Flower missed Zimbabwe’s previous match on their tour of the Caribbean against the West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI after being struck in the head during a practice session and complaining of dizzy spells.

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Though he seems to have recovered from the blow, reports are that Zimbabwe coach David Houghton has been so impressed with Taibu he might try to force him into the side and sacrifice batsman Stuart Carlisle.

Houghton told journalists earlier in the day Zimbabwe will not finalise their 11 until just prior to the start, but it seems Mluleki Nkala, Andy Blignaut, Pommie Mbangwa and Craig Wishart are the ones most likely to miss out.

Teams: WEST INDIES: Jimmy Adams (capt), Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith, Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wavel Hinds, Ridley Jacobs (wk), Curtly Ambrose, Franklyn Rose, Reon King, Courtney Walsh.

ZIMBABWE (likely):Andy Flower (capt), Grant Flower, Neil Johnson, Trevor Gripper, Murray Goodwin, Alistair Campbell, Stuart Carlisle or Tatenda Taibu, Heath Streak, Brian Murphy, Bryan Strang, Henry Olonga.