St George’s, Grenada – Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan demonstrated that they are world-class performers as they led West Indies to a big win over Zimbabwe in the second One-Day International on Sunday. The seven-wicket victory brought great excitement to the colourful crowd at the Grenada National Stadium and sealed a 2-0 series victory with one match left to be played on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe chose to bat after they won the toss and made a challenging 273-8 off 50 overs. West Indies replied with 274-3 to win by six balls to spare. The Windies won the opening match by 156 runs on Friday at the same venue.
Bravo bowled with great skill and used his variations cleverly to record the impressive figures of 6-43 off 10 overs. It was his first five-wicket haul in One-Dayers and topped his previous best of 4-19 against England at Kensington Oval in Barbados four years ago.
Sarwan opened the innings for just the second time in his ODI career and showcased his class and range of strokes with a well-crafted 120 not out off 143 balls – with nine fours and two straight sixes.
It was a superb display of batsmanship from the experienced 32-year-old as he guided the run chase from start to finish. He also surpassed his previous highest score which was a match-winning 115 not out against India at Warner Park, St Kitts seven years ago.
Sarwan added 111 for the first wicket with left-hander Kieran Powell, who made 57 and maintained his good form. Narsingh Deonarine (41) also played well in a partnership of 118 with Sarwan. After he fell, Kieron Pollard pounded 41 not out off 20 balls to secure the victory.
Bravo spoke after he received his Man-of-the-Match award and was full of praise for Sarwan.
"I am really happy for Sarwan. He played really well and basically won the match for us today. He was asked to open the innings after Johnson Charles was unable to play due to an injury and he showed his class and what we know he is capable of. I feel very happy for him," Bravo told WICB Media.
"That’s very good for the team. He’s the most experienced batsman in the set-up right now, with over 170 matches, and he took us right home to the finish. He had a difficult time with the bat in Australia and I know he was determined to make this innings count at the top of the order."
The captain said he was pleased to get his best bowling figures as well as wrap up the series with a match to spare.
"It was great for us to win the series and wrap it up in style like we did here today. It is always good to win and to go 2-0 up is exactly what we were looking for. We are now focussed on 3-0. So we will come back on Tuesday and look for another victory," said the Windies Number 47.
"On the pitch today I had to try a few things and my variations worked. I was happy to lead from the front with my best figures, eventhough I wouldn’t say I’m back to my best bowling form. Today was a confidence booster for me and I just want to get better and better with every match."
INTERNATIONAL HOME SERIES 2013 SCHEDULE
Fri, Feb 22: 1st ODI – West Indies won by 156 runs at Grenada National Stadium
Sun, Feb 24: 2nd ODI West Indies won by 7 wickets at Grenada National Stadium
Tue, Feb 26: 3rd One-Day International – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Sat, Mar 2: 1st Twenty20 International – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
Sun, Mar 3: 2nd Twenty20 International – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
Thu, Mar 7 to Sat, Mar 9: Tour match – Windward Sports Club, Barbados
Tue, Mar 12 to Sat, Mar 16: 1st Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados
Wed, Mar 20 to Sun, Mar 24: 2nd Test – Windsor Park, Dominica