Parchment ... I'm feeling really excited about getting a chance. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CMC):

Opening batsman Brenton Parch-ment will make his international debut today when he lines up for West Indies in the third One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

The 25-year-old right-hander will replace team captain Chris Gayle, who suffered an injury to his right hamstring during Sunday's victory at the same ground. The series is locked at 1-1.

Parchment, a former West Indies Under-19 captain, will partner Devon Smith at the top of the order, while Dwayne Bravo will have his first full match as captain.

Strong season

"Excited! That's the one word I have at this moment. I'm feeling really excited about getting a chance," Parchment said yesterday. "The moment has not come yet, but I'm really looking forward to tomorrow (today)."

Parchment had a fairly strong regional 2006-2007 season, finishing the Carib Beer four-day series with knocks of 111 and 168 as he averaged 60.33. He was rewarded with this call-up to the one-day tour of Zimbabwe.

Gayle received more treatment yesterday for the strain he suffered on Sunday as he completed a quick single while batting with Runako Morton.

A press release from West Indies Media Officer Phillip Spooner on Monday said Gayle will "continue to receive treatment and will be monitored on a day-to-day basis."

The injury Gayle has usually means at least two weeks of rest and he is almost sure to miss the remaining games in the current series Friday and Sunday in Bulawayo.

"I don't know how long it will take to heal, but I know it has to be treated properly and I can't rush it," Gayle said.

'Correcting mistakes'

The results in the series so far have fluctuated heavily. Zimbabwe flogged West Indies by 30 runs on Friday in the opening game, but the Caribbean side rebounded Sunday with an emphatic 110-run triumph.

Bravo, who took over as captain when Gayle could not take the field, said they achieved the reverse result by "correcting the mistakes" they made two days earlier.

"After that game (Friday), we sat down as a team and had a long discussion with the guys. That led to the big difference,""Bravo said. "We looked at the style of the Zimbabwe bowlers and we learnt their style of play as well so we knew where they would put the ball.

"We just need to be consistent and we hope that Gayle will recover as soon as possible because I enjoy playing under him,"

Zimbabwe's captain Prosper Utseya conceded that his side failed to respond adequately to the improved West Indies performance.

"They (West Indies) did very well with the ball because it was really difficult for our batsmen in the first 10 overs that were really tight. They bowled better and they did their homework."

All-rounder Darren Sammy is the West Indies 12th man for today and Fidel Edwards and Narsingh Deonarine are the reserves.

Teams

WEST INDIES - Dwayne Bravo (captain), Devon Smith, Brenton Parchment, Runako Morton, Shiv Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Rawl Lewis, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell.

ZIMBABWE (from) - Prosper Utseya (captain), Visu Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Justice Chibhadha, Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Hamilton Masakadza, Keith Dabengwa, Elton Chigumbura, Gary Brent, Raymond Price, Timycen Maruma, Chris Mpofu, Tawanba Mupariwa.