ST GEORGE'S, Grenada – Johnson Charles blazed a second consecutive one-day international century and Darren Bravo reached three figures for the first time as the West Indies amassed 337 for four against Zimbabwe on Friday.
Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor, who elected to field, was given more than enough opportunity by the top three in the West Indies order to appreciate that the pitch was full of runs, especially against a team lacking in consistent international exposure.
Charles, who closed off the ODI series in Australia less than two weeks ago with a maiden hundred, picked up from where he left off on the other side of the world with 130 off 113 balls, an innings decorated with 12 fours and four sixes.
He gave the home side the ideal start in an opening partnership of 168 with Kieran Powell, who contributed 79 before falling to medium-fast bowler Chris Mpofu in the 29th over.
After a comparatively slow start, Bravo got into stride by the time he reached the 40s, accelerating following the dismissal of Charles in the 39th over Ä near the end of the batting power-play Ä to completely dominate the rest of the batting effort.
Andre Russell, promoted up the order in the quest for quick runs, and skipper Dwayne Bravo fell cheaply but Ramnaresh Sarwan did what was required at the end, feedng the younger Bravo most of the strike to allow the classy left-hander to reach a maiden ODI hundred.
That moment came off the final ball of the innings with a paddled single to short fine-leg off Kyle Jarvis, who together with inexperienced leg-spinner Natsai M'Shangwe, were the best of the struggling Zimbabwean bowlers.
Bravo's hundred had occupied only 71 deliveries and was embellished with nine fours and four sixes.
This is the first of three matches in the one-day series, all of which are being played at the National Cricket Stadium. – Sapa-AFP