Zimbabweans undermined by Sammy, Benn

Zimbabwe's batting was demolished by Darren Sammy and Sulieman Benn in their Twenty20 International against West Indies on Sunday at Queen's Park Oval.

Zimbabwe, choosing to bat, failed to ease concerns about their durability, and were dismissed for 105 in 19.5 overs, as Sammy collected five wickets for 26 runs from 3.5 overs to trump Benn's four wickets for six runs from four overs for the third-best figures in a T20I.

Only Umar Gul of Pakistan with five for six from three overs against New Zealand in a Twenty20 World Cup match last year at the Oval, and Nehemiah Odhiambo with five for 20 from four overs for Kenya against Scotland earlier this year in Nairobi now have better figures in a T20I than Sammy.

Hamilton Masakadza hit the top score of 44 from 67 balls for the Zimbabweans, and Elton Chigumbura led a late charge with 34 from 19 balls to bring some respectability to the visitors' total. No other batsman passed 20.

Zimbabwe suffered a catastrophic start, when they slumped to 11 for four in the fifth over, after Benn, opening the bowling, removed Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Stuart Matsikenyeri, and Brendan Taylor all for ducks in his spell.

Zimbabwe never fully recovered, although Masakadza and Greg Lamb added 40 for the fourth wicket before Sammy came into the attack and ran through the bottom half of the visitors' batting.

This T20I is the first between the two sides since the format gained international status six years ago.

The two sides also play five One-day International - the first next Thursday and the second next Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium, before the last three on March 10th, 12th and 14th at the Arnos Vale Multiplex in St. Vincent.