Windies Clinch Series Victory

West Indies beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in the fourth and final one-day international in St Vincent to seal a 3-1 series triumph.

Set a modest victory target of just 142, the hosts made heavy weather of their chase but eventually limped over the line in the face of a brave effort from Zimbabwe.

Given a typically brisk start by captain Chris Gayle, West Indies looked to be on course for an easy victory as they raced to 46-0.

But once Gayle had departed for 32 from 20 balls after being caught by Graeme Cremer off the bowling of Greg Lamb, the West Indies ship began to wobble.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul managed just two from 12 balls before becoming Elton Chigumbura's only victim and when Adrian Barath (25) was stumped off the bowling off Cremer nine balls later they stood at 61-3.

Denesh Ramdin and Narsingh Deonarine settled any nerves with a stand of 31, but a couple more quick wickets gave Zimbabwe renewed hope of an unlikely win.

First Ramdin was trapped leg before by Cremer for 12 and then Dwayne Bravo, after clipping a lovely lofted four, perished for six as the West Indies stumbled to 101-5.

However, with Deonarine standing firm, a watchful 22 off 40 balls from Kieron Pollard saw the West Indies to within three runs of victory before Pollard inexplicably chipped a simple return catch to Timycen Maruma.

The wicket only delayed the inevitable, though, and when it came the end was an anti-climax as Ray Price bowled a wide to give the hosts their winning run.
Zimbabwe struggle with bat

Earlier, the tourists were bowled out for 141 with all-rounder Bravo returning figures of 4-21 from nine overs while Ravi Rampaul took 2-21.

Rampaul struck first when Hamilton Masakadza edged a rearing delivery to Denesh Ramdin to fall for a duck.

Bravo then had Maruma (11) caught at gully and Brendan Taylor (one) followed soon after when he played around a Rampaul inswinger.

Vusi Sibanda (11) was run out after Tatenda Taibu did not respond to his call for a quick single - Pollard only having to run across to the stumps and remove the bails.

Bravo then accounted for Taibu (14) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (one) to leave Zimbabwe 62-6 after 19 overs.

That they moved into three figures was largely as a result of a battling 42 from Chigumbura, who also combined in an innings-best 41-run stand for the eighth wicket with Cremer (15).

They stood on 129-7 when Chigumbura, who hit three sixes, was caught by Chanderpaul off Daren Sammy.

Kemar Roach claimed the final wicket, bowling Price (five) to dismiss Zimbabwe in 48.2 overs.