Bravo rushes Windies to series win

Narsingh Deonarine settled any West Indies nerves with a match-sealing 32 not out from number five in St Vincent

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West Indies wrapped up their one-day international series against Zimbabwe with a comfortable four-wicket win in the fourth match in St Vincent.

The home side bowled out Zimbabwe for just 141 and, while they were not completely convincing in their run-chase, the target was reached with a considerable 15.3 overs remaining.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo did much of the damage with the ball, claiming 4-21 as the tourists were again skittled cheaply after managing just 104 in the third match on Wednesday.

Narsingh Deonarine was the mainstay of West Indies’ chase and was unbeaten on 32 when a pedestrian encounter was concluded with a Ray Price wide.

Captain Chris Gayle looked to make light work of the small target when he blasted 32 from 20 balls at the top of the order.

The left-hander’s brief stay included three fours and two sixes before he was caught by Graeme Cremer off Greg Lamb with the score on 46 in the seventh over.

The hosts then lost Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Adrian Barath in quick succession to raise some concern that they may make heavy weather of a simple pursuit.

Deonarine, the Guyana batsman, ensured that was not the case with a composed unbeaten 32 from 68 balls.

Zimbabwe’s hopes of squaring the series had been undermined when they slipped to 62 for six in the face of some good bowling from Bravo and Ravi Rampaul.

Rampaul got the ball rolling when Hamilton Masakadza edged a rearing delivery to Denesh Ramdin to depart for a duck.

Bravo then had Timycen Maruma caught at gully and Brendan Taylor followed soon after when he played around a Rampaul inswinger.

Things got worse for Zimbabwe when Vusi Sibanda was run out, and Bravo accounted for key man Tatenda Taibu for 14 and Stuart Matsikenyeri.

Elton Chigumbura saved some face with a battling 42 to ensure his side at least passed three figures, but it was a lone hand as his side were bowled out with 10 balls unused.