BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Classy right-hander Vusi Sibanda grabbed the chance for precious match practice ahead of tomorrow's first Test with a fine half-century against the WICB's High Performance Centre (HPC) last Saturday.

Opening the batting, Sibanda top-scored with 80 as the three-day tour match finished in a tame draw at the Desmond Haynes Oval.

Zimbabwe reached 209 for seven in their second innings, with first-innings century-maker Hamilton Masakadza scoring an unbeaten 26, Keegan Meth getting 21 not out, and captain Brendan Taylor scoring 20.

IMPRESSIVE TOTAL

The 29-year-old Sibanda faced 108 balls in 157 minutes at the crease, striking 13 fours. He put on 47 for the second wicket with Taylor and a further 52 for the third wicket with Sean Williams, who got 14.

Taylor was bowled around his legs sweeping at off-spinner Jermaine Blackwood while Williams was held off a brilliant return catch by leg-spinner Yannic Cariah (2-61) at 140 for three.

With no runs added, Sibanda succumbed to a catch at mid-off by Blackwood off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (2-16), as Zimbabwe lost five wickets for 40 runs.

Earlier, the HPC were dismissed for 230 after resuming the final day on 213 for seven.

Cariah, unbeaten on 36, finished on 43 as leg-spinner Graeme Cremer wrapped up the innings by adding two scalps to his overnight tally to claim seven for 79.