All-rounder Bravo set to spark WindiesWednesday, March 10 2010
WEST INDIES’ downward one-day curve got a much needed lift on Saturday, when the hosts beat Zimbabwe by four wickets to level the series. It was their first victory in an international fixture since August last year, and the relief on their faces was palpable. It was also indicative of how hard the last few months have been for them, but as they approach the third ODI in Kingstown, the momentum is still not entirely with them.
It means the series is now locked at 1-1 and today’s match will put one team within a win of taking the series.
West Indies have struggled so far in the matches against Zimbabwe, labouring to victory in the second game after losing the Twenty20 and the first ODI.
What will give them confidence though is the return of the key all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, whose presence — despite having not played for nearly three months — will almost certainly lift the team. West Indies’ most valuable one-day player, Bravo adds depth to a shaky batting order and his bowling, most notably subtle variations of pace, can do real damage.
The comments of head coach Ottis Gibson on Bravo’s return underline the influence of the star all-rounder.
“He has only just come back and already you can feel the energy he brings. He is a very important player and already the players have perked up with him around,” was Gibson’s assessment, and it shows just how Bravo can strengthen West Indies as a team.
On the other side, going into a crucial game, Zimbabwe have been hurt by the departure of fast bowler Kyle Jarvis with a stress fracture.
Though Jarvis had not featured in any of the three international games on the tour so far, his departure leaves Zimbabwe’s pace bowling reserves looking a little thin.
Chris Mpofu leaked 30 runs in four wayward overs during West Indies’ win in the second ODI, and although Shingi Masakadza held his nerve in a tense final over in the first game in Guyana, he too was expensive.
Zimbabwe’s batting fell away in the second ODI, and that was one of the reasons behind their loss. They will hope the surface at Kingstown will be more suitable for batting and look to their top order to come good.
