ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

Off-spinner Shane Shillingford undermined Zimbabwe with another five-wicket haul, before talismanic Chris Gayle stroked a typically entertaining unbeaten half-century, to put West Indies on top on the opening day of the second Test here yesterday.

Shillingford finished with five for 59 as Zimbabwe, asked to bat first at Windsor Park, were bowled out for 175. The tourists were poised at 141 for four at one stage, but collapsed meekly to lose their last six wickets for 34 runs.

Captain Brendan Taylor top-scored with 33, opener Vusi Sibanda got 32, while Sean Williams, on Test debut, scored 31.

Part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels weighed in with three for 15, while fast bowler Shannon Gabriel picked up two for 10.

Gayle then marched imperiously to 61 to propel West Indies to 114 for two at the close, just 61 runs adrift of an all important first innings lead.

The hosts were stumbling at 35 for two after impressive seamer Kyle Jarvis (2-35) struck in successive overs, but Gayle and Samuels, who was unbeaten on 26, have so far put on 79 for the third wicket.

Gayle has so far struck 10 fours and a six in an innings lasting 84 balls, while Samuels has stroked two fours and a six in 52 balls at the crease.

ZIMBABWE 1st innings

Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-43, 3-64, 4-105, 5-141, 6-158, 7-158, 8-161, 9-171, 10-175.

Bowling: Roach 7-0-30-0, Best 10-0-32-0 (w1, nb1), Gabriel 8-6-10-2, Sammy 5-1-15-0, Shillingford 21.5-4-59-5, Samuels 9-3-15-3.

WEST INDIES 1st innings

TOTAL: (2 wkts, 27 overs) 114

To bat: S Chanderpaul, +D Ramdin,D Sammy, S Gabriel, K Roach, T Best, S Shillingford.

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-35.

Bowling: Jarvis 7-2-35-2, Chatara 7-2-21-0, Masakadza 4-2-10-0, Cremer 6-0-27-0, Utseya 3-0-18-0.

Position: West Indies trail by 61 runs with eight wickets intact.

Toss: West Indies.

Umpires: A Hill, R Martinesz; TV - B Oxenford.