Zimbabwe (152 in 49.2 overs) lost to West Indies (156-0 in 27.4 overs) by ten wickets.

WEST INDIES wonderfully lit up the first day/night international in the Caribbean here last night.

With 8 000 fans in the stands for the historic occasion in a festive atmosphere, the hosts steamrolled Zimbabwe by ten wickets on the back of a century opening stand between Chris Gayle and Sewnarine Chattergoon to complete a series clinching fourth successive victory over Zimbabwe.

As the frenzied supporters beat their drums and made noises with other instruments, while others danced away in the Piton Party Beer Stand, Gayle and Chattergoon also moved along to the beat under the 224 floodlights.

At no stage were the two left-handers troubled by anything Zimbabwe sent their way.

Gayle, returning after a rest over the weekend, batted with authority, especially over the latter half to end unbeaten on 95 from only 91 balls that included 13 fours and a six.

Chattergoon, run out on debut before his hometown fans at Bourda on Sunday, looked like a seasoned player, solid in defence and selectively aggressive for an undefeated 54 off 78 balls that contained eight boundaries.

The pair provided the match with an early finish. It was over just after 8 p.m. when it was scheduled to go all the way down to 9:45 p.m.

Stop for a moment to think why Dave Mohammed has never been selected for a One-Day International before. Maybe it might have been a mistake.

The left-arm chinaman and googly bowler was more than a handful for the uncertain Zimbabweans.

Neither Visu Sibanda nor Blessing Mahwire picked googlies that spun the other way than they expected and Keith Dabengwa was so confused he hit his stumps instead of the ball.

Mohammed on the ball

Never mind that Mohammed suffered with three sixes that somewhat spoiled his figures to read three for 37, it was bowling that deserved all the commendation.

The visitors failed hugely to capitalise on winning the toss for the first time in the series.

Another 70 runs might have given more of an advantage when bowling under the lights and with the benefit of the dew.

Captain Terrance Duffin emphasised the struggle, pushing and prodding for 107 balls and only had 38 runs to show for it. As he took close to 33 overs over his troubles, it meant that Zimbabwe never had any momentum going.

Hadn't it not been for Gregory Strydom's 48 off 73 balls that included two sixes off Mohammed, there might have been the distinct possibility that a day/night match might have finished before the flick of the lights.

Yet again, Corey Collymore was irrepressible in his comeback.

Yesterday, he bowled at less than two runs an over, after Sunday's match in which he conceded less than three runs an over.

The length and direction were what any captain would have asked for and it was an injustice that he didn't have anything to show in the fourth column for the second straight match.

Jerome Taylor and Dwayne Bravo, both rested over the weekend, were also impressive.

Hear Pommie Mbangwa, former Zimbabwe player, now TV commentator: "I was pleasantly surprised, having been to other grounds in the West Indies. I didn't expect to find a green, flat park with a wonderful outfield.

"The lights made it even better. You could be anywhere else in the world.

"The lighting here is different. There are six pylons here. At other places, the most is five. I'm thinking The Wanderers in Johannesburg where there are five pylons.

"There are other grounds with four pylons. This is a little bit different, but it works. The lighting looks good and certainly not effecting how West Indies are batting."

SCOREBOARD:

ZIMBABWE

P. Rinke c Lara b Taylor 0

(steered to second slip)

*T. Duffin run out 38

(direct throw from keeper to bowler's end)

B. Taylor c Collymore b Bravo 21

(hit low to mid-on)

V. Sibanda b Mohammed 4

(undone by perfectly pitched googly)

E. Chigumbura c Bravo b Gayle 12

(edged drive to slip)

G. Strydom b Bravo 48

(inside edged slower ball)

K. Dabengwa hit wkt b Mohammed 7

(attempted cut)

B. Mahwire b Mohammed 0

(undone by perfectly pitched googly)

T. Mupariwa b Taylor 11

(hit across)

P. Utseya not out 0

A. Ireland b Bravo 0

(yorked)

Extras (lb1, w10) 11

TOTAL (all out - 49.2 overs) 152

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Rinke, 1.5 overs), 2-42 (Taylor, 16.0), 3-48 (Sibanda, 19.0), 4-77 (Chigumbura, 25.4), 5-91 (Duffin, 32.4), 6-112 (Dabengwa, 39.1), 7-112 (Mahwire, 39.4), 8-152 (Mupariwa, 48.3), 9-152 (Strydom, 49.1), 10-152 (Ireland, 49.2).

Bowling: Collymore 9-2-17-0 (w4), Taylor 9-0-34-2, Bravo 9.2-3-24-3, Gayle 8-1-24-1, Mohammed 10-2-37-3.

WEST INDIES

C. Gayle not out 95

S. Chattergoon not out 54

Extras (w4, nb3) 7

TOTAL (no wkt ö 27.4 overs) 156

Did not bat: R. Sarwan, *B. Lara, M. Samuels, D. Bravo, R. Morton, +D. Ramdin, D. Mohammed, J. Taylor, C. Collymore.

Bowling: Blessing Mahwire 4-0-19-0 (w2), Anthony Ireland 4-0-25-0, Tawanda Mupariwa 5-0-32-0 (nb1), Piet Rinke 1-0-6-0 (w1), Propser Utseya 8.4-0-37-0 (nb2, w1), Keith Dabengwa 5-0-37-0.

Toss: Zimbabwe.

Result: West Indies won by ten wickets with 22.2 overs to spare at 8:01 p.m.

Man-Of-The-Match: Chris Gayle.

Umpires: Billy Bowden (New Zealand), Billy Doctrove (Dominica). TV replays: Steve Bucknor (Jamaica). Reserve official: Lawrence Thomas (St Lucia).

Match referee: Chris Broad (England).

haydngill@nationnews.com