HARARE, (Reuters) - West Indies captain Brian Lara paid tribute to Zimbabwe's fighting qualities after his side had clinched the five-match one-day series 3-2 with an eight-wicket victory over the Southern Africans yesterday.
``We played good cricket, but credit must be given to the
Zimbabweans for the way they played during both series,'' Lara told reporters. ``We came here expecting to win and they put up a good fight, and almost turned the tables in both series.''
Zimbabwe had led the one-day series 2-1 going into the weekend, but lost Saturday's match at Harare Sports Club by 72 runs before being outplayed in yesterday's decider.
Chris Gayle was the architect of victory for West Indies in the final encounter, claiming four for 24 with his part-time off spin before hammering an unbeaten 112, his second century of the series. ``We needed to get to 250 or 260 to put pressure on them, so we always needed to attack,'' said Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, after his side had slumped to 196 all out.
``But Chris blew us away. He bowled superbly, he changed the game. ``We didn't counter his bowling well, and we didn't put enough runs on the board.'' Gayle's batting had been a significant factor during the series, Streak added. ``Chris rode his luck and played some superb shots,'' he said.
``He was the key player for the West Indies throughout the series.'' Gayle finished the one-day series with an aggregate of 385 runs at an average of 128.33, having scored a career-best 153 not out in the first match in Bulawayo.
He was the leading bowler in the series, claiming seven wickets at an average of 12.57. ``I'm a part-time spinner, but don't underrate it because it can be very effective,'' Gayle said.
``The captain had the faith to give me the ball, and I got
the job done.'' West Indies travel to South Africa on Monday to play four tests and five one-day internationals.