Chanderpaul, Brathwaite Depart Early As West Indies Reach 131/2 At Lunch Against Zimbabwe In 1st Test

First-innings big scorers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kraigg Brathwaite were less successful second time round as the West Indies reached 131-2 at lunch in Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

The tourists led by 199 runs with two sessions remaining in the southwestern city of Bulawayo on the final day of the Test, and a draw becoming increasingly likely.

Both teams made first innings declarations at the Queens Sports Club with the West Indies posting 447-6 and Zimbabwe 379-9.

Chanderpaul, the son of former West Indies captain Shivnarine, struck an unbeaten 207 and captain Brathwaite 182 in the first innings.

Batting again, Chanderpaul did not manage even one boundary before being bowled by quickie Brad Evans for 15 after a thin inside edge sent the ball back on to his stumps.

Brathwaite joined his fellow opener in the pavilion 27 deliveries later, having made 25 when trapped leg before by spinner Wellington Masakadza after the bat got stuck behind his pad.

The dismissals of Brathwaite and Chanderpaul did not trigger a collapse, however, with Raymond Reifer and Jermaine Blackwood successfully taking on the Zimbabwe attack.

Reifer notched seven fours in an unbeaten 45 built in a 91-ball stand while Blackwood struck a six and four fours as he reached 38 not out.

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The Test, which lost almost 100 overs to rain during the first two days, is the first of two, with the second scheduled to begin on Sunday.