Windies hoping to finish ODI series on high note

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (CMC):

THE WEST Indies will be looking to finish their trip to Zimbabwe strongly with a victory in the fifth and final one-day international today at the Queen's Sports Club.

The visitors took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series when they completed a five-wicket victory in the fourth and penultimate match on Friday at the same venue.

The West Indies will want to finish the trip on a high ahead of a more difficult assignment in neighbouring South Africa. It has been a stirring comeback for West Indies, following a 30-run defeat in the opening ODI at the Harare Sports Club in the Zimbabwe capital.

Their batting has been solid, if not spectacular, the bowling has been sharp and uncompromising and the fielding has shown steady improvement.

The West Indies may decide to rest one or two players ahead of the more demanding assignment in South Africa. but they may be well advised to stick to the tried and tested and build some momentum and consistency, rather than experi-menting.

For Zimbabwe, they too, will be looking to finish on a winning note, after they promised much in the opening match. They have been gutted by the West Indies' efficiency in the past three matches and would like to regain the spirit they showed in that first ODI.

Squads

ZIMBABWE (likely): Prosper Utseya (captain), Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu, Elton Chigumbura, Brendan Taylor, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Keith Dabengwa, Chamu Chibhabha, Gary Brent, Ray Price.

WEST INDIES (from): Dwayne Bravo (captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Fidel Edwards, Rawl Lewis, Runako Morton, Brenton Parch-ment, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.