WI pull off easy win - Leg spinner McGarrell the destroyer

West Indies bowler Colin Stuart successfully appeals for a LBW decision off Zimbabwe batsman Tatenda Taibu for four runs on yesterday's final day of the first Test match. Stuart took three LBW wickets for 45 runs. - Reuters

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, CANA-Reuters:

WEST Indies beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 176 runs in the first cricket Test at the Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

Left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell bowled the Windies to victory with four wickets for 48 runs off 23 overs as the pitch began to wear and offer substantial turn.

The only highlight for Zimbabwe during the afternoon session was Alistair Campbell's second Test century when he dabbed McGarrell down to third man for two runs.

His hundred was not without a slice of good fortune. On 97, he lofted a full toss from Colin Stuart straight to mid-off, only to see umpire Ian Robinson call a no-ball.

However Campbell was out shortly after for 103, padding up to McGarrell and being adjudged lbw.

McGarrell then had Grant Flower (two) edging to Chris Gayle at first slip and captain Heath Streak (two) caught by Ramnaresh Sarwan at silly point.

He then caught and bowled Andy Blignaut (nine) off a mistimed drive.

Bryan Strang (seven) was then brilliantly caught by substitute fielder Leon Garrick at forward short leg off Reon King.

Earlier Craig Wishart was Stuart's third lbw victim, for four, shortly after lunch.

After resuming on 112 for no wicket, Zimbabwe went to lunch on 171 for two wickets, largely thanks to a record opening stand of 164 between Dion Ebrahim and Campbell.

Ebrahim, who had one moment of good fortune when an edge from a Pedro Collins delivery fell short of Samuels at second slip, was eventually out lbw to Stuart for 75.

The score was Ebrahim's highest in Tests and included nine fours. The record partnership with Campbell surpassed the 156 scored by Grant Flower and Gavin Rennie against New Zealand in Harare in 1997-1998.

Debutant wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu was promoted up the order to number three in the absence of Stuart Carlisle, who broke a finger while fielding on Friday.

Taibu survived a concerted lbw appeal first ball before being given out lbw in Stuart's next over for four.

Stuart also trapped Craig Wishart lbw to finish with three for 49 while King wrapped up the innings with the wicket Raymond Price to finish with two for 47.

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe 1st innings 155

R.King 4-51)

West Indies 1st innings 559-6 declared (C.Gayle 175, C.Hooper 149)

Zimbabwe second innings

(overnight 112-0)

D.Ebrahim lbw b Stuart 75

A.Campbell lbw b McGarrell 103

T.Taibu lbw b Stuart 4

C.Wishart lbw b Stuart 4

G.Whittall not out 10

G.Flower c Gayle b McGarrell 2

H.Streak c Sarwan b McGarrell 2

A.Blignaut c and b McGarrell 9

B.Strang c Sub b King 7

R.Price c Sub b King 4

S.Carlisle - absent 0

Extras (lb-4 nb-4) 8

Total (all out, 101.4 overs 228

Fall of wickets: 1-164 2-170 3-187 4-193 5-195 6-197 7-211 8-218

Bowling (to date): King 23.4-9-47-2, Collins 13-1-47-0, McGarrell 23-9-38-4, Stuart 19-5-49-3, Hooper 21-6-38-0, Samuels 1-0-5-0.

Result: West Indies won by an innings and 176 runs

Second and final Test - Harare, July 27-31

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