Chris Gayle pulls on his way to a fine, unbeaten 95 against Zimbabwe in their fifth one-day international yesterday at the Beausejour ground in St. Lucia. The Windies won by 10 wickets to win the seven-match series 4-0. - DELLMAR PHOTO
CASTRIES, St. Lucia (AP):
CHRIS GAYLE hit an unbeaten 95 off 91 balls last night and opening partner Sewnarine Chattergoon struck 54 not out as the West Indies overwhelmed Zimbabwe to secure a 10-wicket win in the first day-night cricket international in the Caribbean.
The West Indies sealed the seven-match series win as they took a 4-0 lead.
Gayle hit 13 fours and a six as the home team powered to 156 without loss off 27.4 overs to eclipse Zimbabwe's effort of 152 all out off 49.2 overs.
Fellow left-hander Chattergoon, in only his second match, stroked eight boundaries off 78 deliveries. He matched his partner stroke-for-stroke before the more experienced Gayle pulled away with the result beyond doubt.
A crowd of about 8,000 witnessed the Caribbean's historic first international under floodlights and was treated by the home team's thrilling strokeplay.
The fans had to wait until the lights came on to really see the true nature of the pitch since Zimbabwe's effort in the daylight outlined the gulf in class between the teams.
DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE
Gregory Strydom propped up the Zimbabwean innings with an enterprising 48 off 73 balls.
Captain Terrence Duffin made 38, but needed 107 deliveries and set the tone of another disappointing performance by the tourists.
Dwayne Bravo took three for 24 while left-arm wrist spinner Dave Mohammed, on debut, claimed three for 37.
Jerome Taylor grabbed two for 34 and Corey Collymore conceded just 17 runs from nine overs.
Taylor gave the West Indies a fine start after Zimbabwe won their first toss in the series and chose to bat in excellent conditions.
Piet Rinke deflected a catch to Brian Lara at second slip at six for one in the second over.
Duffin and Brendan Taylor shared a stand of 36, but could never break the control of the home team before they were parted in the 16th over.
Taylor made 21 before chipping a catch to mid-on for Bravo's first wicket.
Mohammed struck with the last ball of his first over, hitting the off stump of Vusi Sibanda as he played down the wrong line.
Duffin was eventually run out by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin's direct hit after a mix-up with Strydom.
The Zimbabweans slipped to 112 for seven before Strydom and Tawanda Mupariwa (11) offered some late resistance in a stand of 40 for the eighth wicket.
Strydom was set for a maiden half century but was bowled by a Bravo slower ball in the final over.
Zimbabwe innings
T. Duffin run out 38
P. Rinke c Lara b Taylor 0
B. Taylor c Collymore b Bravo 21
V. Sibanda b Mohammed 4
E. Chigumbura c Bravo b Gayle 12
G. Strydom b Bravo 48
K. Dabengwa b Mohammed 7
B. Mahwire b Mohammed 0
T. Mupariwa b Taylor 11
P. Utseya not out 0
A. Ireland b Bravo 0
Extras (w10, lb1) 11
TOTAL (all out, 49.2 overs) 152
Fall: 1-6, 2-42, 3-48, 4-77, 5-91, 6-112, 7-112, 8-152, 9-152, 10-152.
Bowling: Collymore 9-2-17-0 (w4), Taylor 9-0-34-2 (w6), Bravo 9.2-3-24-3, Gayle 8-1-24-1, Mohammed 10-2-37-3, Samuels 4-0-15-0.
West Indies innings
C. Gayle not out 95
S. Chattergoon 54
Extras (w4, nb3) 7
TOTAL (without loss, 27.4 overs) 156
Bowling: Mahwire 4-0-19-0, Ireland 4-0-25-0, Mupariwa 5-0-32-0, Rinke 1-0-6-0, Utseya 8.4-0-37-0, Dabengwa 5-0-37-0.
