Gudakesh Motie followed up his first innings effort of 7 for 37 with a six-wicket haul to pilot the West Indies to an emphatic series-clinching innings and four-run win over Zimbabwe, in the second and final Test in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe, who began the afternoon session at 46 for 2, lost the set Innocent Kaia early, with the opener falling to the impressive Motie. Milton Shumba and Craig Ervine (72) did stitch a timely stand of 30. However, just when the duo looked set to convert the stand into a substantial one, Motie castled Shumba. The batter didn’t exactly help his cause by advancing down the deck a bit too early.
Motie also dismissed Zimbabwe’s hero from the first Test, Tafadzwa Tsiga, to leave the home side in all kinds of trouble at 102 for 5. Zimbabwe’s slide didn’t end there as Shannon Gabriel and Motie combined to remove Donald Tiripano and Wellington Masakadza. Despite losing wickets at the other end, Ervine essayed sweeps and reverse sweeps while facing Roston Chase and Motie and kept the scorecard ticking over for a brief period.
Unfortunately, right after the Tea break, Zimbabwe lost their last three wickets for the addition of just 15 runs. Roston Chase removed Brandon Mavuta while Motie won an LBW appeal against Ervine, with the Zimbabwe skipper missing out on the flick. The left-arm spinner duly sealed the deal by dismissing Victor Nyauchi.
Earlier, after a lengthy delay due to wet outfield, play had resumed in the morning session. The West Indies, who began the day at 290 for 8, lost their last two wickets for just two runs and were bowled out for 292. Meanwhile, Nyauchi finished with a five-wicket haul. The hosts, behind by a sizeable 177 runs, commenced their second innings too on a poor note, losing Tanunurwa Makoni and Chamu Chibhabha inside seven overs.
Brief scores: West Indies 292 (Roston Chase 70, Raymon Reifer 53; Victor Nyauchi 5/56) beat Zimbabwe 115 (Innocent Kaia 38; Gudakesh Motie 7-37) and 173 (Craig Ervine 72; Gudakesh Motie 6-62) by an innings and 4 runs.
