BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - 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.
He said: ``I had to get that Test hundred. I've been living with family here for the past two years and they've been very good to me. My uncle Paul Brown passed away a couple of weeks ago and I would like to dedicate my innings to him.''
The batsman added: ``Whichever team has the most patience can win this game. If we try too hard to take wickets we could go wrong. It's going to take lots of patience and discipline and then we need to bat, bat and bat.''
Zimbabwe resumed on 173 for three with Craig Wishart, 86 not out overnight, seemingly 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.
SWUNG AWAY
Collymore struck again six overs later with a magnificent ball that swung through the air before seaming away and removing Stuart Matsikenyeri for eight.
That reduced Zimbabwe to 201 for five, but Vermeulen's patience and Tatenda Taibu's industrious approach prevented further damage until the first Collymore ball after lunch, which Taibu edged to Gayle at second slip to be out for 27.
Streak scored three before being trapped in front by an inswinger from fast bowler Merv Dillon and Vermeulen went 10 overs after lunch when he tried to pad away a ball from Banks but instead deflected it between his legs and on to his stumps.
Andy Blignaut stroked four boundaries in his 31 before being trapped in front by Collymore as Zimbabwe slipped to 336 for nine, prompting tea to be delayed.
The innings ended eight overs after tea when Banks had Ray Price caught at short leg by Ganga for 35 to end a last-wicket partnership with Blessing Mahwire (eight not out) that yielded 41 and lasted an hour.
The first Test of the two-match series ended in a draw.