Bravo takes six wickets, Zimbabwe make 273-8

ST. GEORGE'S: Dwayne Bravo became only the eighth West Indies bowler to claim six or more wickets in a one-day international but Zimbabwe still posted a challenging total of 273 for eight on Sunday.

The West Indies captain's return of six for 43 off 10 overs were critical to limiting the Zimbabweans' progress in the second one-dayer with Craig Ervine's top score of 80 being the highlight of a much-improved batting effort from what the tourists showed in being annihilated by 156 runs in the first match on Friday.

Hamilton Masakadza contributed a workmanlike 60 and featured in a 110-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ervine after Vusi Sibanda had set the pace at the top of the order with 51 following Brendan Taylor's decision to bat first.

Bravo, leading the regional side with regular skipper Darren Sammy rested for the series, had an immediate impact on coming into the attack, bowling Sibanda and then trapping Taylor palpably lbw for a duck in the space of three deliveries.

He returned for a second spell to remove Masakadza via a skied catch and ended Ervine's quest for a hundred, the left-hander missing a full-toss and being bowled to bring an innings to an end that occupied 85 deliveries and included three sixes and six fours.

The all-rounder's final two wickets came in the last over of the innings with Zimbabwe's lower order having no option but to sacrifice themselves in the push for runs.

Sibanda had set the tone for Zimbabwe's effort at the top of the order with a succession of pleasing strokes, driving and cutting fluently off opening bowlers Kemar Roach and Tino Best.

It was the introduction of spin from Sunil Narine that brought the breakthrough, Justice Chibhabha being bowled, although the spinner's final analysis of one for 55 equalled his most expensive returns in a one-dayer.