Taibu's 98 takes Zimbabwe to 298 against Canada

Former captain Tatenda Taibu missed out on his maiden World Cup century by two runs but his knock helped Zimbabwe score a challenging 298 for nine against Canada in a Group A match here today.

Taibu added 181 runs for the third wicket with Craig Ervine to lay the foundation of the Zimbabwe innings after batting first in the match touted as the ‘Battle of Minnows’ at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground at Jamtha.

While Taibu found the gaps with aplomb during his knock of 98 of 99 balls from which he hit nine fours, Ervine (85 off 81 balls) was happy playing the second fiddle.

Once Ervine reached his personal milestone, he suddenly accelerated and matched his senior partner stroke for stroke after they were reduced to seven for two by the fourth over with both openers Brendan Taylor (0) and Charles Coventry (4) back in the hut.

But that was all Canada bowlers could manage for the next 27.5 overs as the Zimbabwean duo hardly looked in any kind of discomfort.

For Canada, former Tamil Nadu spinner Balaji Rao was the pick of the bowlers grabbing 4 for 57. Harvir Baidwan and Khurram Chohan scalped two wickets apiece.

Veteran leggie Balaji used all his years of experience in Ranji Trophy to ensure that Zimbabwe did not race away to a total that would be unattainable.

Taibu started playing his strokes from the onset. Not only did he punish the pacers, he was at ease against the Canadian spinners using his feet to good effect. Ervine, on the other hand, ran quick singles and gave the bulk of the strike to Taibu on a placid Jamtha strip.

While Taibu completed his half century off 45 deliveries with eight hits, Ervine took 55 deliveries to complete his 50 with four boundaries and a six.

However, once the duo completed their 50s, there seemed to be a reversal of roles. Suddenly it was Taibu who dropped the anchor and was happy taking singles while Ervine gave the slower bowlers some treatment. He hit two huge sixes —— one over mid—wicket and the other straight over long—on boundary.

It was Balaji who put the brakes on Zimbabwe innings.

Although he bowled a few long hops but he was not afraid of giving the ball air. He first got Ervine a bat—pad catch which was smartly taken by Bagai.

Taibu, who suddenly went quiet once he was in his 90s, was deceived by the flight and mistimed a sweep shot which was taken by Davison at mid—wicket.

Balaji then got Sean Williams with another bat—pad catch to Bagai while Greg Lamb went for a cut shot with very little room provided. This was former India A spinner’s best figures in ODIs.

Suddenly from 188 for two, Zimbabwe slumped to 240 for seven losing five wickets for 52 runs. But Prosper Utseya (22 off 29 balls) and Graeme Cremer (26 off 23 balls) added 41 useful runs for the eighth wicket to take the total near 300.