On this day in 2000: West Indies defend 99 runs to stun Zimbabwe in a Test
On 20th March 2000, the West Indian side showed indomitable courage and will to defend a target of 99 and beat the Zimbabwe outfit by 35 runs at Port of Spain. In fact, for a major part of the Test match, the Zimbabwe side was in control. However, in Zimbabwe’s second innings, the likes of Curtly Ambrose and Franklyn Rose absolutely decimated their batting line up with the red cherry in hand.
The splendid defence
Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to field first. The hosts put up a poor performance with the bat in the first innings. In fact, the highest run-scorer for the West Indian side was Wavell Hinds, who scored an unbeaten 46 as West Indies were bowled out for just 187. Heath Streak was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe and scalped 4 wickets. In reply, skipper Andy Flower led Zimbabwe’s charge with the bat. The left-handed batting legend scored a patient 113*, as Zimbabwe finished their first innings with a total of 236 runs on the board.
The West Indies started their second essay trailing by 49 runs and needed their batsmen to put up a good performance with the willow. But then, the West Indian willow wielders yet again put up a shoddy show. None of their batsmen could even score a half-century, as the hosts were bundled out for just 147. In the second innings too, Heath Streak was the star performer with the ball, and picked up 5 wickets, giving away just 27 runs.
That meant that the Zimbabwe side was set a target of 99 to cruise past the finish line. But then, the visitors’ batting unit folded up in a sensational fashion. Such was the pathetic performance by the Zimbabwe batsmen, that as many as 10 out of their 11 willow wielders could not even score in double digits.
The duo of Curtly Ambrose and Franklyn Rose picked up 7 wickets between them in the second innings. While Ambrose scalped 3 wickets, Rose gobbled up 4 batsmen, as Zimbabwe could only manage to score 63 in their second innings. The legendary Curtly Ambrose was awarded the Man of the Match award. And surely, even after two decades, this Test match will be remembered by cricketing aficionados for the stunning comeback made by the West Indian side.
