THE West Indies displayed all their old ruthless professionalism to inflict a crushing six wicket defeat on Zimbabwe in their World Cup group A opener in Hyderabad, India yesterday.
Inspired by man of the match Curtly Ambrose, who took a wicket in each of his three spells, West Indies restricted the Africans to 151 for nine from their 50 overs.
Sherwin Campbell then played the anchor role with 47 as West Indies coasted to victory under the lights at Lal Bahadur Stadium. Brian Lara, who came to the wicket with his team needing only 73 runs to win, brought up the West Indies 100 with an effortless pulled six high into the stands. He ended the match after his side had batted only 29.3 overs with another huge six over long off to finish unbeaten on 43 in 31 deliveries.
In yesterday's other game opener Gary Kirsten hit a World Cup record 188 not out to steer South Africa to a 169 run rout of the United Arab Emirates in their group B encounter.
Kirsten's innings in Rawalpindi was just one run short of Viv Richards' world record for a one day international, set 12 years ago against England at Old Trafford.
The 28 year old was named man of the match.
