Zimbabwe claim the honours

8 March 2007

Sean Williams © Getty Images

Zimbabwe completed a comfortable six-wicket victory over Bermuda with 21 overs to spare in their World Cup warm-up at Arnos Vale in St Vincent.

Bermuda were able to improve upon their disappointing showing against England - where they were rolled over for just 45 - but their total of 136 all out was never going to be enough to hold off their opponents, who were inspired by Sean Williams’ unbeaten 72.

There was one bright spot in the Bermudian batting, with their innings surviving until the final ball of the 50-over allocation when last man Kevin Hurdle was dismissed by Elton Chigumbura.

Irving Romaine’s side lasted just over 22 overs against England and, although their run-rate was scarcely intimidating, they will be happy to have had some time at the crease.

Dean Minors and Clay Smith got things under way for Bermuda but neither man could find a way to get the scoreboard ticking and the latter soon fell for seven to Anthony Ireland.

Minors lasted 44 balls for his 12 - 10 of which came in two shots - but Tawanda Mupariwa accounted for him in the 15th over.

Before that, David Hemp had fallen for a third-ball duck and captain Romaine (four) became Ireland’s second victim.

Janeiro Tucker held the Bermuda innings together, posting a gutsy 56 from 88 deliveries and hitting eight fours, but nobody else could match his application and Christopher Mpofu added a tidy spell - and two wickets - to Ireland’s 3-22.

Zimbabwe faltered at the start of their reply, with Vusi Sibanda caught and bowled by Hurdle in the second over and Terry Duffin following with just five runs on the board.

Justice Chibhabha (30) and Williams put on 73 for the third wicket before Dwayne Leverock - Bermuda’s best bowler against England - struck again.

The 20-stone left-arm spinner removed Chibhabha - caught by Delyone Borden - and claimed a second victim when Chigumbura fell to the same combination.

But Williams was too much for his opponents and found a solid partner in Stuart Matsikenyeri, who struck 21 not out.