The West Indies opening pair of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and captain Kraigg Braithwaite shared a record partnership against Zimbabwe played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on 6 February 2023.
West Indies captain Kraigg Braithwaite won the toss and decided to bat first on a rain-curtailed opening day. Braithwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul looked at ease keeping the scoreboard ticking. Braithwaite completed fifty off 116 deliveries after lunch break while Chanderpaul reached a half-century off 165 balls. The visitors ended the first day at 112 for 0 as the session after tea was abandoned due to rain.
The second day began late due to wet outfield. After a long delay, West Indies openers showed their defensive technique and made life tough for Zimbabwe bowlers. Braithwaite completed his century off 226 deliveries. Zimbabwe took the second new ball in the 84th over. Chanderpaul reached his maiden Test century off 286 balls in only his third match. West Indies ended a rain-curtailed day on 221 for 0.
Kraigg Braithwaite and Chanderpaul continued to start the 3rd day on a positive note keeping the scoreboard ticking frustrating the Zimbabwe bowlers. Braithwaite completed 150 off 278 deliveries. Tagenarine also reached his milestone off 390 balls to put West Indies in a commanding position. West Indies captain long vigil ended up being dismissed by Wellington Masakadza for his career-best Test score of 182.
Kraigg Braithwaite 101*
He brings up his 12th Test match hundred.
Captain. We salute!#ZIMvWI pic.twitter.com/vDJtcacYIZ
— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) February 5, 2023
Kraigg Braithwaite and Chanderpaul added record 336 runs for the opening partnership. West Indies openers showed great focus and determination to tire Zimbabwe bowlers out. Chanderpaul made his Test debut during Australia in Australia and was a stand-out batter for West Indies in a disappointing 0-2 whitewash.
Other record-breaking opening partnership for West Indies in Test matches
West Indies played their first Test match on 23 June 1928. Since then they have played 567 matches with 181 wins, 206 losses, 1 tied, and 179 drawn matches with a win percentage of just 31.92.
Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenridge has two highest opening partnerships in Test matches for West Indies. The first one was 298 runs against England at ST John’s Stadium, Antigua in 1990. Both of them had another 296 runs opening wicket partnership against India at ST John’s Stadium, Antigua in 1983.
Stuart Campbell and Adrian Griffith shared 276 runs opening wicket partnership against New Zealand in 1999 at Hamilton.
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