Zimbabwe Wind-swept

SINGAPORE, SEPT 2: A rejuvenated West Indies displayed their power-hitting might to shrug off their World Cup blues to score an imposing ...

SINGAPORE, SEPT 2: A rejuvenated West Indies displayed their power-hitting might to shrug off their World Cup blues to score an imposing six-wicket victory over the high-flying Zimbabwe in the opening tie of the Coca Cola Singapore challenge one-day triangular cricket tournament here today.

Openers Sherwin Campbell and Ridley Jacobs cut the African attack to ribbons in a 114-run stand in only 19.4 overs before skipper Brian Lara 48 off 44 balls maintained the tempo and newcomer Ricardo Powell finished off in style hoisting two consecutive sixes outside the ground as the Caribbeans reached their target well in time.

West Indies batsmen sprayed sixes to all parts 8211; and outside 8211; in the small New Kallang ground after their pacemen had made good use of the sporting pitch in the morning.

Sherwin Campbell 61 off 64b and Man of the Match Ridley Jacobs 49 off 49b, who had snapped up four catches earlier keeping the wickets, gave the rollicking start for Lara to build on by showing ominous form before24-year-old Jamaican batsman Powell carted four sixes in making an unbeaten 51 off only 36 balls to finish the game off in style with the more watchful Shivnarine Chanderpaul 29 not out.

Zimbabwe rode on impressive fifties by skipper Alistair Campbell 80: 104b, 6215;4, 3215;6 and Andy Flower 89: 99b, 10215;4, 1215;6 and their 114-run fourth wicket partnership to overcome early hiccups, but could then only watch helplessly in going down to their sixth defeat to the Caribbeans.

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe: N Johnson c Jacobs b Dillon 3, G Flower c Lara b Bryan 12, A Campbell c Jacobs b King 80, M Goodwin c Powell b King 2, A Flower b Dillon 89, A Bignaut c Jacobs b King 1, S Carlisle c Jacobs b Bryan 27, C Evans b Bryan 0, P Strang b Walsh 3, A Whittal not out 0, H Olonga not out 2. Extras b2, lb5, w10, nb8: 25.

Total for 9 wkts in 50 overs 244.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-31, 3-38, 4-152, 5-159, 6-230, 7-230, 8-239, 9-239.

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Bowling: Walsh 10-4-31-1, Dillon 9-1-34-2, King 8-0-36-3,Bryan 10-1-35-3, Perry 7-0-55-0, Adams 6-0-46-0.

West Indies: S Campbell b G Flower 63, R Jacobs run out 47, J Adams b G Flower 1, B Lara c Campbell b Strang 48, S Chanderpaul not out 29, R Powell not out 51. Extras nb1, w7: 8.

Total for four wickets in 43.4 overs: 247.

Fall of wickets: 1-114, 2-115, 3-120, 4-176.

Bowling: Johnson 4-0-29-0 1w, A Whittall 8-1-34-0 1w, Strang 6-0-42-1 1w, Olonga 6-1-49-0 1w, Evans 6-0-28-0 3w, 1nb, G Flower 10-0-39-2, Blingaut 3.4-0-26-0.

Result: West Indies won by six wickets.