Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored a century for the West Indies.© Twitter
A double century partnership by openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarin Chanderpaul propelled the West Indies against Zimbabwe in the First Test at Bulawayo. In control for large periods on the first and second days, the pair’s biggest threat came from inclement weather, although rain could only delay the success of the pair who were both close to their best with the bat. Brathwaite (116*) brought up his century first, reaching the milestone with a late cut through the slip cordon off Wellington Masakadza. Not to be defeated, Chanderpaul brought up his maiden Test century in his third Test, smashing Victor Nyuchi calmly down the leg-side.
Chanderpaul’s century was also the first Test century by a West Indies opener outside Brathwaite since 2013, breaking a streak of a dozen unbeaten centuries by his teammate.
As a result of their efforts, the pair joined elite company in their achievement, compiling West Indies’ tenth opening wicket double century stand since their first Test in 1928.
The highest opening stand by the Windies was between Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes against England at St John’s, Antigua in 1990, where the duo put on a mammoth 298.
Rather appropriately, Daren Ganga, who accompanied Chris Gayle to West Indies’ second opening double century stand in Zimbabwe (214 at the same ground in 2001), was on call when the pair crossed their mark. The stand is the first double century for the team in Test cricket since 2012, and the fifth away from home.
Perhaps making the feat more remarkable, the pair hit stumps on the second day with just 17 fours and a six, Zimbabwe’s bowlers to no avail over two days.
The hosts’ five-line attack has 20 maidens to show for their efforts, with Masakadza’s 0/30 in 16 overs being the most economical of the group (1.87).
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