Blignaut, Taibu and Ervine prop up Zimbabwe

Half-centuries by Tatenda Taibu, Craig Ervine and Andy Blignaut propped up Zimbabwe on the third day in Grenada to stretch the lead to a competitive 225 with three wickets in hand. West Indies A extended their overnight lead to 97 before the tourists put in a much better batting performance to leave the final day interestingly poised.

Zimbabwe seized the initiative first thing in the morning when they wrapped up the last five West Indian wickets for just 23 runs. Christopher Mpofu mopped up the tail to finish with a seven-wicket haul, including the wicket of Kirk Edwards who added only seven runs to his overnight score of 62.

The tourists didn't get off to the best of starts as they lost three wickets for 61 before lunch. The offspinner Shane Shillingford was the pick of the home bowlers with figures of 4 for 109. Taibu and Ervine started the revival with a stand of 103 for the fourth wicket. But Nelon Pascal and Imran Khan took two wickets in quick succession to pull things back for the hosts. Ervine and Blignaut then came together to add another 103 in just under 20 overs.