ZIM v WI, 1st Test, Day 3 Review: Windies steer clear of the hosts; Take a 429-run lead in the game

Roston Chase and Kraigg Brathwaite accumulated big scores as the Windies managed to venture a lead of 429 runs against Zimbabwe in the first Test. Whilst Brathwaite missed out on a well-deserved hundred, Chase is going strong and remained unbeaten on 91 off 127 balls at the end of the third day’s play.

Kyle Hope was the first man to depart on day 3 after adding 7 more runs to his overnight tally. Shai Hope continued his purple patch and established a crucial stand with Brathwaite for the 3rd wicket. Brathwaite completed his half-century and was going calm and steady. Hope didn’t try anything audacious as well and both the players added 67 runs for the third wicket before Brathwaite fell 14 short of his hundred.

Roston Chase entered the crease and right from the outset, he played some delightful shots. Shai Hope stuck in there for some more time, but he fell prey to a brilliant delivery from Kyle Jarvis. He was caught plumb in front of the stumps and the umpire had no hesitation in raising the finger. Nevertheless, Windies marched forward strong and the 60-run first innings lead kept playing in the minds of the hosts.

Masterclass from Roston Chase

After Shai Hope was dismissed, Roston Chase dominated the entire day’s play with his authoritative stroke-play. He was just too good for the Zimbabweans and though he didn’t receive great support from the lower-middle or the tail, he was in a mood to score big at a brisk rate.

Jermaine Blackwood once again was tricked by Sean Williams. Just the way it happened in first innings, Blackwood dragged his back foot forward and failed to get it back to safety on time. Chakabva completed a simple stumping in the meanwhile and Windies lost half their side with just 224 runs in the bag.

Shane Dorwich failed to do anything special and Sean Williams picked up his fifth wicket in the match. Skipper Jason Holder approached aggressively in the little tie he spent in the crease and amassed a quickfire 24. He struck 2 boundaries and one big hit out of the park. Nevertheless, he couldn’t do anything more than that.

Windies were not yet in the safe zone at that point and they needed one good partnership to ensure the lead went past the 400-run mark. Devendra Bishoo and Chase provided exactly that for their side as the duo settled in to trouble the spinners for the next 20 odd overs. Chase completed a spectacular half-century in the mean time and Bishoo kept spanking a boundary when he had the opportunity.

Windies managed to get their score past the 350 mark and the lead was well above 400. All this happened thanks to the brilliant 92-run stand for the 8th wicket between these two players. Skipper Cremer was left clueless at this point and was hoping for nothing but some fortune.

He did get a little lucky in the final over the day as he picked up Bishoo’s wicket and brought an end to this partnership. Bishoo notched 44 runs in 71 balls and Chase remained unbeaten on 91 off 127 balls. Windies currently have a 429-run second innings lead and have amassed 369 runs in the second innings for the loss of 8 wickets at stumps on day 3.

Brief Scores

Windies first innings: 219 all out in 82.5 overs

Zimbabwe first innings: 159 all out in 61.3 overs

Windies second innings: 369/8 in 122.3 overs (Roston Chase 91*, Kraigg Brathwaite 86; Graeme Cremer 3/111)