Bravo leads Windies to clean sweep

26 February 2013 22:41

West Indies completed a 3-0 series whitewash against Zimbabwe with a five-wicket win in Tuesday's third ODI in Grenada.

After restricting the tourists to 211-9 from their 50 overs at the National Cricket Stadium, the Windies chased down their target with 22 balls to spare thanks largely to Darren Bravo's superb unbeaten 72.

Zimbabwe made a slow start to their innings, with opener Tino Mawoyo making just nine runs before Sunil Narine (1-41) trapped him lbw in the 10th over.

Fellow opener Vusi Sibanda enjoyed more time out in the middle with a stubborn 41 off 60 balls before he picked out Narsingh Deonarine off the bowling of Tino Best (2-38).

Captain Brendan Taylor struck three boundaries and two sixes in his run-a-ball 39, but when he was dismissed off the bowling of Veerasammy Permaul (3-40) the runs dried up with Zimbabwe limping to 160-8.

Some late fireworks from Chamu Chibhabha (48 not out) ensured the tourists passed the 200-run mark and posted a respectable total.

West Indies made a steady start to their chase with Ramnaresh Sarwan (19) and Kieran Powell combining for 46 before the former was caught and bowled by Tinotenda Mutombodzi (2-35) in the 12th over.

The spinner struck again 10 overs later to remove Powell for a composed 42, but by that stage Darren Bravo was already looking comfortable at the crease.

When Kieron Pollard was run out for a duck in the 32nd over, Zimbabwe may have harboured hopes of an upset with the hosts at 121-4.

But West Indies stand-in captain Dwayne Bravo scored a quickfire 25 before Denesh Ramdin (24 not out) combined with Darren Bravo to ensure West Indies reached their target and complete a series clean sweep.