BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe), Nov 14: Mark Vermeulen stroked a battling maiden Test century on Friday to keep Zimbabwe in with a chance of saving the second Test against the West Indies.

Vermeulen’s 118 pushed the home side to a first innings total of 377, and by the time bad light brought an early close, the West Indies were on 13 for one in their second innings, with a lead of 117.

Vermeulen, who failed in the first Test with only eight and two, stubbornly created his personal milestone and he went on to score 118 before he fell to Omari Banks. His was the spinner’s first of two wickets of the day, for a 108. He hit 14 boundaries and took his team past their first objective, which was to avoid the follow-on.

Vermeulen was partnered to a 78-run stand by Tatenda Taibu, then by Andy Blignaut. Ray Price continued the defiance after Vermeulen departed and he went onto add 38 with last man Blessing Mahwire remaining on eight not out.

West Indies skipper Brian Lara tried seven bowlers in a bid to winkle Zimbabwe out, but with little success, Corey Collymore excepted. He took 4-70 and was the best of the tourist’s attack.

Vermeulen began the day with Craig Wishart and with their side on 173-3. They had already built up a partnership of 142, but Wishart was only able to extend his overnight score from 86 to 96, just missing out on a second Test century.

Vermeulen scored only five in the first hour and took more than five and a half hours all in over his gritty knock

He had one piece of luck when he was yorked by Collymore but turned to see umpire Simon Taufel signalling a no-ball.

However, he was eventually out when he padded up to a ball from Banks going down the leg side, but it caught the inside of his leg and dropped onto the stumps.

Taibu was his usual effervescent self and contributed 27 runs.

Blignaut began slowly but hit out later for 31.

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