ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad, (CMC) – Kraigg Brathwaite and Nekoli Parris failed to trump a hundred from Tatenda Taibu that set up a five-run victory for Zimbabwe in their opening tour match against a University of the West Indies’ Vice Chancellor’s XI yesterday.
Brathwaite struck five fours in 80 from 117 balls, and Parris hit five fours and two sixes in 73 from 94 balls, as the Vice Chancellor’s XI, chasing 282 for victory from their allocation of 50 overs, just failed to reach their target.

Taibu collected 11 fours in 107 from 92 balls, as Zimbabwe, choosing to bat, were dismissed for 281 in 49.2 overs.

The Vice Chancellor’s XI wobbled to 39 for two before Brathwaite and Parris came together to put the visitors under pressure with a stand of 136 for the third wicket.

Brathwaite, one of bright lights the West Indies Under-19s at last month’s Youth World Cup in New Zealand, again showed his class again. He batted with maturity and played well within himself, and was prepared to play second fiddle to Parris.

Parris was caught in the deep off Kyle Jarvis going for one too many big shots, and Zimbabwe gradually got back into the match.

Brathwaite was caught behind off Shingirai Masakadza to leave the Vice Chancellor’s XI on 203 for five.

Yannic Cariah and Shane Dowrich continued to whittle away at the remaining runs in a stand of 40 for the seventh wicket.

But they both fell to Elton Chigumbura, and though the Vice Chancellor’s XI got 14 of the 20 they needed from the final over, their chance of victory had long faded.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor’s XI felt the weight of Taibu’s bat, as the former Zimbabwe captain sounded a warning to West Indies.

The Vice Chancellor’s XI were really on the back-foot, when Taibu added 68 for the fourth wicket with Charles Coventry, who just two days ago had his World record of 194 in a One-day International eclipsed by Sachin Tendulkar’s undefeated 200.

But they steadily fought their way back with Cariah snaring two wickets for 43 runs from 10 overs, and Parris taking two for 40 from 4.2 overs.

Zimbabwe now prepare for their sole Twenty20 International against West Indies tomorrow at Queen’s Park Oval.

This will be followed by the first two ODIs on Thursday, March 4, and Saturday, March 6, at the Guyana National Stadium.