BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe – A combination of their lethargy in the field, a defiant, undefeated fifth Test hundred from former England batsman Gary Ballance, and his demoralising hundred-run stand with Brandon Mavuta derailed West Indies and enabled Zimbabwe to make a bold declaration in the first Test on Tuesday, setting up an intriguing final day.In an all-too-familiar turn of events, the Windies surrendered control when Ballance, not out on 137 in his first innings for the land of his birth, and Mavuta, with a career-best 56, set up the Zimbabweans for a declaration on 379 for nine, replying to the Caribbean side’s first innings total of 447 for seven declared, on the third day at the Queen’s Sport Club.West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, not out on 11, and fellow opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, not out on 10, batted through 13 overs with little trouble in almost an hour before the close and carried the visitors to 21 without loss in their second innings, for an overall lead of 89.The Windies appeared in command when they captured four wickets – two to pacer Alzarri Joseph – in the morning period, and the hosts stumbled to 192 for seven at lunch.
