Zimbabwe set 299-run target for Canada

NAGPUR: Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine helped Zimbabwe set Canada a daunting 299-run target for victory in their World Cup Group A match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 here at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground on Monday.

Taibu was unfortunate to miss his third ODI century by just two runs as he was dismissed by Balaji Rao for 98. He hit nine boundaries in his 99-ball innings.

Craig Ervine also batted very well to make 85 from 81 balls with two sixes and six fours.

He and Taibu made together 181 runs for the third wicket partnership which helped Zimbabwe compile a big score but no other batsman except Sean Williams (30), Graeme Cremer (26) and Prosper Utseya (22) could make any significant score.

After skipper Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to bat, Zimbabwe lost both their openers for only seven runs before Taibu and Ervine came to rescue.

Leg-spinner Balaji Rao was the most successful bowler capturing four for 57.while seamers Khurram Chohan and Harvir Baidwan claimed two wickets each.

Zimbabwe and Canada, both, lost their opening matches, Zimbabwe going down by seven wickets to Australia here while Canada suffered a 210-run mauling in Sri Lanka.