Windies blow Zimbabwe away

Chris Gayle took three cheap wickets before hitting a rapid 41 for West Indies © Getty Images

West Indies took just 14.2 overs to chase down Zimbabwe’s paltry 85 and win their opening ICC Champions Trophy qualifier by nine wickets.

After losing the toss at Ahmedabad, the reigning champions skittled Zimbabwe for the third lowest total in Champions Trophy history, in just 30.1 overs.

Spinner Chris Gayle polished off the tail to finish with the best figures of 3-3 before letting fly with the bat to set up a successful run-chase.

His was the only wicket to fall in the West Indies innings.

The opener made a quickfire 41 - thanks in part to some inept Zimbabwe fielding - before going for one big heave too many and giving Tafadzwa Kamungozi a simple catch.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and captain Brian Lara, who finished unbeaten on 24, made light work of the remaining 20 runs required for victory, Lara carrying West Indies home with two straight sixes.

It was, however, Zimbabwe's batting inadequacies which cost them dear.

Brian Lara finished off the game with two big sixes

Chamu Chibhabha survived three overs before he was beaten by an Ian Bradshaw inswinger, the left-armer removing middle and off.

Jerome Taylor tore Hamilton Masakadza’s off stump out of the ground before producing a vicious bouncer, which Tafadzwa Mufambisi - taking evasive action - succeeded only in gloving to wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh.

It got even worse for Zimbabwe when Brendan Taylor (seven) was run out looking for a dubious single, Chanderpaul producing a brilliant direct hit at the non-striker's end.

Dwayne Smith got in on the act with an outswinger which Stuart Matsikenyeri edged behind, and more good fielding saw Piet Rinke run out for one before Taylor was presented with a simple catch by Elton Chigumbura.

Captain Prosper Utseya and Anthony Ireland shared the biggest partnership of the innings, but the fact they added only 24 for the eighth wicket summed up the Zimbabwe's travails.

Their stand was broken by Gayle, who found a way past Ireland's defensive prod, and the off-spinner then produced some extra bounce to outwit Edward Rainsford, who edged to Dwayne Bravo at first slip.

Gayle applied the coup de grace with the first ball of the 31st over, trapping Utseya, who top scored with 27, lbw to set up the easiest of run-chases.