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LEADING FROM THE FRONT . . . Hamilton Masakadza was on fire at Queens Sports Club yesterday as he scored a century on day one of the second Test against West Indies. — AFP

Mehluli Sibanda in BULAWAYO
OPENING batsman Hamilton Masakadza notched up his fifth Test hundred and his second against West Indies to leave Zimbabwe in a fairly comfortable situation on a rain-affected first day of the second cricket Test at Queens Sports Club yesterday.

Masakadza, despite surviving three West Indies attempts to dismiss him, played some gorgeous shots to finish the day unbeaten on 101 from 171 deliveries, nine fours and two sixes when rain brought an early end to play on the opening day.

The veteran batsman put on 142 runs for the fourth wicket with Peter Moor who chipped in with a valuable 52 as Zimbabwe, who won the toss, opted to bat first closed the day on 169 for four in 61 overs.

Zimbabwe, having lost the first Test by 117 runs made two changes, Sean Williams left out because he is not feeling well while seamer Kyle Jarvis could not be selected since he is struggling with an ankle injury.

Batsman Peter Moor was recalled for his fifth Test and left arm spinner Tendai Chisoro made his Test debut at 29.

Masakadza was delighted to have finally converted the promising starts he has had in the past into a big score.

“It’s great to finally manage to convert, I was thinking about those starts, I was just hoping that if I did get another start I would push through so I am quite happy to be still out there now,’’ said Masakadza.

He reckoned that any score above 350 runs would be competitive in the first innings with the crucial part being that him and his batting partner Sikandar Raza build on a good stand.

“I will just try to build another partnership with Raza, see how deep the two of us can take it , without too far ahead, anything over 350 will be good for us,’’ he said.

It was a catastrophic start for Zimbabwe, Solomon Mire gone in the fourth over, removed by Kemar Roach, getting a bottom edge to be taken behind by Shane Dowrich.

It was soon two down for Zimbabwe with just 11 runs on the board, Craig Ervine bowled by Shannon Gabriel for a seven ball duck, his middle stump broken by the pace of the ball.

The slaughter continued, Brendan Taylor getting an inside edge onto his own leg stump to be bowled by Roach for one off 10 deliveries to leave the home team reeling on 14 for three in 9.1 overs.

It was almost four down with the score on 22, Masakadza, on 15 had a Gabriel delivery coming off his bat onto his shoulder to be caught at gully by Shai Hope.

Masakadza was not given out but West Indies captain Jason Holder went for a review which showed that Gabriel had in fact overstepped and the batsman survived.

Masakadza survived once again shortly after, his edge off Roach’s bowling falling short of Dowrich.

After facing up to 96 deliveries, having struck five fours, Masakadza reached his eighth Test 50 with a boundary off Holder’s bowling.

Soon after getting to his half ton, Masakadza did up the tempo with some beautiful sixes, the first off the bowling off leg spinner Devendra Bishooo and the second from off break bowler Roston Chase as he reached 2000 Tests runs.

Masakadza was given out on 86 to Chase but he went upstairs with the review showing that the ball missed his bat and glove on its way to short leg.

Zimbabwe lost no further wickets during the second session to move to 147 for three in 53 overs, Masakadza on 92 while Moor had 47.

During that time, Zimbabwe managed 91 runs in 28 overs played.

Moor reached his third Test 50 soon after tea, after facing up to 148 balls, dispatched three fours, getting there with a boundary off the bowling of Chase.

He lost his wicket soon after for 52, bowled by Chase to bring an end to his partnership with Masakadza.

Masakadza got to his fifth Test hundred with a single down the track off Chase’s bowling. His hundred was made up of nine fours and two sixes in 170 deliveries.

When rain stopped play, Masakadza had been joined at the crease by Raza who was also unbeaten on nine.

Play will resume 30 minutes earlier in a bid to make up for the time lost to rain when the match goes into day two this morning.

As of last night, the rain had become even heavier which means that if it does not stop, day two could also be under threat.

Scores

Zimbabwe first innings 169-4 61 overs (Masakadza 101, Moor 52, Roach 2/24, Chase 1/26)