HARARE, Zimbabwe, 27 November 2003 — Captain Heath Streak inspired Zimbabwe to a 21-run win over the West Indies to open up a 2-1 lead in the five-match one-day series here yesterday.
Streak hit an unbeaten 65 as the home side made 229-5 and then took three wickets, including West Indies skipper Brian Lara, as the tourists were dismissed for 208.
Despite the win, Streak was pushed all the way for the honor of being the day’s hero as West Indies opener Chris Gayle went on to make 61 despite having to leave the field earlier in the day with heart palpitations.
Streak was supported by big-hitting Mark Vermeulen who made 66 while Andy Blignaut claimed four wickets.
Zimbabwe had thought their 229-5 in 50 overs, after being put in to bat by Lara, would not be sufficient.
They had got off to a slow start and found it difficult to up the run rate.
But despite keeping the upper hand when batting, the West Indies were shattered when losing Lara for 34 and then Marlon Samuels and Ricardo Powell in successive Blignaut balls.
Ridley Jacobs, on his 36th birthday, survived the hat trick ball.
Chris Gayle, who top-scored with 61, gallantly tried to hold the innings together but nobody could stay with him for any length of time.
He notched up his 18th one-day half century but it was not enough.
Zimbabwe got off to what has become a usual poor start when they lost four top order batsmen for 85.
But the arrival of Streak settled the home side and together with Vermeulen he regained the initiative. Streak made 65 not out and Vermeulen hit 66, the same score he made in his team’s win in the second one-dayer in Bulawayo on Sunday.
