BULAWAYO, 15 November 2003 — Mark Vermeulen scored his maiden Test century to ease Zimbabwe’s woes on the third day of the second Test against the West Indies yesterday.
The West Indies were 13 for one, a lead of 117, in their second innings when bad light ended play 18 overs early.
Wavell Hinds was five not out with Daren Ganga on eight after Chris Gayle was out first ball, lbw to Heath Streak.
Zimbabwe were dismissed for 377 in reply to the West Indies’ first innings of 481, paceman Corey Collymore proving the most penetrative of the bowlers with four for 70 from 24 overs. Vermeulen batted for more than seven hours for his 118, facing 304 balls and hitting 14 fours and a six.
Zimbabwe resumed on 173 for three with Craig Wishart, 86 not out overnight, seeming set for his second Test century after dispatching off spinner Omari Banks for consecutive fours in the second over of the day. But Wishart fell for 96 to Collymore in the next over, trapped lbw by a ball that pitched on middle and held its line. He had hit 14 fours and two sixes in a three-hour stay, putting on a valuable 154 with Vermeulen.
Collymore struck again six overs later with a magnificent ball that swung through the air before seaming away and removing Stuart Matsikenyeri for eight.
