AFTERNOON rains forced early stumps on the first day of the first Test between Zimbabwe and their guests West Indies who had posted 112 for 0 after 51 overs having won the toss at Queens Sports Club yesterday
The rains arrived just after the second drinks break with openers Kraigg Braithwaite and Tegenarine Chanderpaul on 55 each looking solid and disciplined having offered little in terms of chances.
Chanderpaul celebrated his second half century when he reached 51 from 150 balls on a day things were moving at a snail pace.
Braithwaite used up 138 balls in his knock hitting two boundaries while Chanderpaul faced 170 deliveries hitting the fence on eight occasions.
Chanderpaul admitted that Zimbabwe bowled well and he had to be patient and wait for his moments.
He scored just 20 runs off the first 95 deliveries that he faced.
"You have to be pretty patient upfront. The guys were bowling well so you have to dig in and score when you can," he said after the day's play.
The supporters tried hard to enliven the mood with their now famous song and dance.
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As they tried hard to inspire their local heroes rains arrived and twice the covers were removed and with players looking to come back on the pitch, rains intervened on both occasions.
Brad Evans, one of five debutants for Zimbabwe, tried a number of tricks to prize out a wicket for Zimbabwe to no avail as did Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Wellington Masakadza and Brendon Mavuta.
The other debutants for Zimbabwe were Innocent Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Takudzwa Tsiga and Gary Ballance who was playing this format in a Zimbabwe strip for the first time having previously represented England.
With Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza choosing to go to Asia for T20 leagues and with Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Sean Williams all injured, the sectors were forced to pick an inexperienced side.
But the bowlers gave a good account of themselves even though they failed to pick up wickets yesterday.
Ngarava bowled nine overs and gave away 29 runs while Nyauchi was given 15 and conceded 27.
Evans gave away 31 runs from 11 overs while Masakadza was the most economical on 0 for 13 from nine overs.
Mavuta bowled seven and conceded 18 runs.
Teams
Zimbabwe; I Kaia, T Makoni, C Chibhabha, C Ervine, G Ballance, T Tsiga, B Mavuta, W Masakadza, B Evans, R Ngarava, V Nyauchi
West Indies; T Chanderpaul, K Braithwaite, R Reifer, J Blackwood, K Mayers, R Chase, J Da Silva, J Holder, A Joseph, G Motie, K Roach
