SIMPLY SENSATIONAL

Tinashe Kusema and Don Makanyanga

SIMPLY sensational!

Zimbabwe yesterday claimed the big scalp in their Pool A campaign when they upstaged former World champions West Indies in a victory that was built around another man-of-the-match performance by talisman Sikandar Raza, which inspired the Chevrons to a 35-run win at Harare Sports Club.

The win saw Dave Houghton’s men through to the ICC Men Cricket World Cup Qualifiers Super Six stage.

They will now carry four points from their wins over the Netherlands and West Indies.

The Dutch made light work of Nepal when they cruised to a seven-wicket win in another Group A match at Takashinga Sports Club yesterday.

That result means Zimbabwe, West Indies and the Netherlands have all qualified.

The United States are winless in three outings and are out of contention for a place in the Super Six.

They wrap up their group games with a match against the Chevrons at Harare Sports Club tomorrow.

In Bulawayo, Sri Lanka, Scotland and the surprise package of the qualifiers, Oman, look firm favourites to proceed from Group B to the next stage.

All three teams are separated by net run rate, as they have four points each, while Ireland and the United Arab Emirates are the winless teams from their group.

Sri Lanka, who top the group with four points from two matches, play the Irish today at Queens Sports Cub, while the duel between Oman and Scotland — also on today — will be more about the points they will carry over to the Super Six.

But there is no doubt that Harare Sports Club was the focus of attention.

And, just like their fans, who ensured another second sell-out crowd, the Chevrons did not disappoint.

While Raza will likely receive much of the credit, and rightly so, seamer Tendai Chatara deserves a pat on the back for finally doing something to justify both the selection panel and skipper Craig Ervine, as well as his stand-in skipper Sean Williams’ continued faith in him.

The 36-year-old finished with three for 52 runs.

Put into bat after losing the toss, the Chevrons got off to a subdued start, as openers Ervine and Joylord Gumbie put up 63 runs off 93 balls for the first wicket.

West Indies got the early breakthrough when Keemo Paul trapped Gumbie leg before wicket (lbw) in the 15th over.

That wicket was the beginning of a mini-collapse for the hosts, as Wesley Madhevere (2) and Williams (23) did not last long at the crease.

A fifth-wicket stand between Raza (68) and Ryan Burl (50) would then go on to stabilise Zimbabwe’s innings, with the pair putting up 87 runs off 94 balls and taking the Chevrons from the precarious position of 112 for four to 227 for six.

It was one of two important partnerships that turned the tide in Zimbabwe’s favour, the second of which was a 10th-wicket stand between Blessing Muzarabani and Chatara, which saw the pair put up 25 runs off 15 and give some respectability to the Chevrons’ final score of 268 all out.

With most teams scoring in excess of 300 runs, 269 seemed to be a target well within the reach of the Calypso Kings.

And for most of the chase, they looked to be well in control, with Kyle Mayers and Brandon King sharing an opening stand of 43 runs off 39 balls, and King and Shai Hope sharing a third-wicket partnership of 64 runs off 67 balls.

However, their only undoing was that they lost wickets at crucial moments of their innings.

The biggest moment of the match, however, came right at the death of West Indies’ innings, and here Chatara deserves credit for holding his nerve.

Coming back for a second spell, after another expensive opening five overs, Chatara had West Indies skipper Jason Holder (19) caught behind, bowled out dangerman Roston Chase (44) and wrapped up the match when he had last man Alzarri Joseph (3) caught by Raza.

In the end, it was an all-round display from the Zimbabwe bowlers, with Chatara claiming three wickets, while the trio of Muzarabani, Raza and Richard Ngarava chipped in with two scalps apiece.

Spinner Wellington Masakadza also took a wicket on his way to one for 39 runs.

In the end, the match lived up to expectations and turned out to be a belated birthday present for the Chevrons’ head coach, Houghton, who turned 66 on Friday.

“It was a really nice birthday present from the team,” said the gaffer.

Houghton went on to reveal that, after taking the Chevrons job last year, his main objective was to see Zimbabwe qualify for the World Cup.

“I think it is important for us to finish top in our group,” he said.

“For me, winning today (yesterday) was huge for us, and, when I took this job, my main objective was to qualify for the World Cup.

“One thing that I have learnt about this team is that we have a lot of depth, and it showed in today’s game.

“It has shown that this has not been a one-man band, but we have a team full of skill,” he said.

West Indies coach Darren Sammy did not mince his words in his post-match interview, blaming his charges for their poor fielding.

“I am extremely disappointed with that display after we got what we wanted from the toss, which was to bowl first.

“If we continue to display this type of fielding, by giving the best batters a couple of chances, eventually, the cricket gods will be upset with you.

“And, to be honest, we did not deserve to win.

“Zimbabwe deserved this win,” said Sammy.