First Test: Zimbabwe collapse on day one

Bridgetown (Barbados), March 13 (IANS/CMC):

Off-spinners Marlon Samuels and Shane Shillingford celebrated their return to the West Indies side by combining to wreck Zimbabwe on the opening day of the first Test here.

Samuels, in his first international match of the year since recovering from a serious eye injury, finished with career-best figures of four for 13 while Shillingford, recalled after nearly a year in the wilderness, claimed three for 58 as Zimbabwe plunged from a position of 100 for two just after lunch, to 211 all out in the final session Tuesday.

However, lively seamer Kyle Jarvis (2-9) struck two lethal blows late in the day, removing opener Kieran Powell for five and nightwatchman Kemar Roach, without scoring, in successive deliveries to leave the West Indies slightly rattled at 18 for two.

In a bizarre seven-ball over, Powell played back and was trapped lbw by one that would have struck leg and middle while Roach was hit deep on the back leg deep in his crease, and also palpably lbw.

Talismanic opener Chris Gayle was unbeaten on 11 with stylish left-hander Darren Bravo yet to score.

Earlier, opener Tino Mawoyo top scored with 50 while Craig Ervine got 29 and captain Brendan Taylor, 26, as Zimbabwe flourished in the early stages after opting to bat first at Kensington Oval.

After reaching a comfortable position of 100 for two just after the lunch break, Zimbabwe were undermined by Samuels and Shillingford and lost their last eight wickets for just 111 runs.

Fast bowler Roach, who took both wickets to fall in the morning session, finished with two for 31.