END OF OVER:54 | (maiden) | ZIM: 134/6
- Wellington Masakadza0 (36b)
- Tafadzwa Tsiga24 (83b)
- Gudakesh Motie24-6-50-4
- Kyle Mayers1-0-6-0
6pm That concludes the action from this match. It started as a rainy affair, but we got to see some solid cricket. We almost had a result too, but the draw does not seem like an unfair result given how the game went. Ashish is working on his report right now, so be sure to check that out for a recap of how the final day went down. For now, this is Abhimanyu signing off on behalf of Ashish Pant and Venkat Raghav.
Roger Sawh : "Just realized that the first 3 innings of this test were all declared...wonder how often that has happened before!" This was the sixth instance.
CricDude: "Amidst all the love for result-oriented tests, I send my love for draws, hard fought ones, matches which deserve no loser."
5.50pm Time for the presentation ceremony
Player of the Match, Tagenarine Chanderpaul: "Yeah it was good get some runs. Once I got in, it was nice. The pitch was spinning a bit so it was good to get some practice coming into the game. [On Brathwaite] He's a guy who treasures his wicket, he tries to stay on as long as possible. [On his partnership with Brathwaite] Of course, it's something to cherish, the record, and just hope we can keep going from strength to strength."
Zimbabwe captain, Craig Ervine: "[On the last hour of the day] Yeah it felt like forever! I thought there was a lot of fight in the boys over the whole five days. The first two days were of course tough, not picking up any wickets, but we fought back well and then that good partnership between Ballance and Mavuta. [On the debutants impressing] They were excellent. Have told the guys to go out and express themselves and they have done that very well. Squad will be the same for the second Test."
West Indies captain, Kraigg Brathwaite: "After losing a whole day, I think it was a commendable effort form us to get close to a victory, so well done to us. But also Zimbabwe batted very well so well done to Craig and his team. We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but it was commendable from the boys with Zimbabwe coming hard with the ball and the bat. For sure, wickets with the new ball were crucial, but Zimbabwe batted well. I think overall, pleased with the team effort. The guys coming together. [On Chanderpaul] Not surprised, to be honest. I know he is a fighter, likes to be at the crease for long periods. Just the start of great things to come for him."
5.45pm And that will finally be that! The game, after some very good cricket over five days, finishes in a draw. An exciting last session saw Zimbabwe start off positively as they looked to chase down 272, but after they lost wickets in clusters, they were pegged back. Gary Ballance and Tafadzwa Tsiga then blocked West Indies out for the longest time. Even as Ballance and Brad Evans then fell in succession, Tsiga kept out the West Indies bowlers. All three Tests in 2023 so far have now ended in draws. There were three declarations as both teams pushed for the result, but in the end the overs lost to rain and wet outfield maybe proved crucial. The match had some fantastic performances, with both bat and ball. From Tagenarine Chanderpaul's 207* and Kraigg Brathwaite's 182 and their record 336-run opening stand for West Indies, to Brandon Mavuta's five-wicket haul. From Ballance's 137* to maiden Test fifties for Innocent Kaia and Mavuta. Then there were quick half-centuries for Jermaine Blackwood and Raymon Reifer and a brilliant spell by Gudakesh Motie in the fourth innings. Blockathons by Ballance, Tsiga and Masakadza also deserve a mention.
Sultan Gilgity : "What are the minimum number pf overs left? And, why is Cricinfo not showing them lile usual." We are done with the minimum overs. We were playing on till the cut-off time, which we are now past.
Will that be it? Nope. Another over. Now a physio comes out to tend to Tsiga. Masakadza joins him for a sip of water. And now they look ready to go
END OF OVER:53 | 6 Runs | ZIM: 134/6
- Tafadzwa Tsiga24 (83b)
- Wellington Masakadza0 (30b)
- Kyle Mayers1-0-6-0
- Gudakesh Motie23-5-50-4
Seven minutes left. Kyle Mayers comes on and apparently he is also going to do a Holder and bowl some spin
END OF OVER:52 | 1 Run | ZIM: 128/6
- Wellington Masakadza0 (30b)
- Tafadzwa Tsiga18 (77b)
- Gudakesh Motie23-5-50-4
- Kraigg Brathwaite4-0-10-0
Holder at leg slip is constantly in Masakadza's ears now
END OF OVER:51 | 1 Run | ZIM: 127/6
- Wellington Masakadza0 (25b)
- Tafadzwa Tsiga17 (76b)
- Kraigg Brathwaite4-0-10-0
- Gudakesh Motie22-5-49-4
We still have time for a couple of overs here. Brathwaite comes on in a final gambit