By Prior Beharry
GUYANESE spinner Gudakesh Motie spins West Indies to victory over Zimbabwe by an innings and four runs at Bulawayo on Tuesday.
His match figures of 13 for 99 are the best the for a West Indies spinner overtaking Sonny Ramadhin’s 11 for 152 against England way back in 1950.
Playing in only his third test, Motie had figures of 7 for 37 and 6 for 62. He bowled the Caribbean side to victory in just three days although rain delayed play on days two and three.
The home side won the toss and batted first mustering only 115 in their first innings with a top score of 38 by opener Innocent Kaia and 23 not out and 22 by Donald Tiripano and Craig Ervine respectively.
Batting, West Indies made 292 thanks to Roston Chase (70) and Raymon Reifer (53) and a 44 by wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva.
Zimbabwe were all out for 173 in their second innings with Ervine getting to 72, the highest score of the match, and Kaia at the top with 43. Both fell victims to Motie.
West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite said he was very proud of the team and was happy with the all-round performances.
He said, “The pressure the pacers created was good to see. The bowlers did a fantastic job.”
Ervine said after winning the toss and batting first Zimbabwe needed to bat well on the first day. He added, “We didn’t and that put us on the back foot.”
Motie said he was happy with his performance as the pitch was similar to Guyana.
West Indies won the two-match series one nil and now go to South Africa.
