West Indies 286-9 (Morton 79, Gayle 58)
Zimbabwe 176 (Lewis 3-44, Bravo 2-18)
West Indies won by 110 runs; five-match series level at 1-1
Eager to put the disappointment of their loss in the opening one-day international against Zimbabwe behind them, opener Chris Gayle and Runako Morton hit half-centuries as the West Indies scored a crushing 110-run win over Zimbabwe in Harare.
Vusi Sibanda (12) and Brendan Taylor (27) were unable to give Zimbabwe a flying start to a tricky run chase, with Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell taking a wicket each, just reward for some accurate and disciplined bowling.
Ravi Rampaul, who had earlier starred with 26 from 11 balls at the close of the West Indian innings, then had Justice Chibhabha caught out for 11 to leave Zimbabwe in some trouble. Dwayne Bravo then chipped in to get rid of Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu.
Taylor returned to remove Keith Dabengwa and despite a fighting knock from Stuart Matsikenyeri (37), who was one of three wickets for Rawl Lewis, West Indies levelled the series with a minimum of fuss at the death.
Overcoming the early loss of Devon Smith for two, Gayle scored 58 before he had to retire hurt, leaving Morton to bat on to make a solid 79 and with Marlon Samuels also contributing 43 and Ravi Rampaul's heroics, they posted a very competitive score, and one that was more than enough for Zimbabwe, who had won the toss and perhaps erred in choosing to field.
Gayle was stretchered off with a hamstring injury, meaning his vice-captain Dwayne Bravo took over in the field with the full extent of his injury not yet known.
© Cricket World 2007
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