BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AFP) — Kraigg Brathwaite’s unbeaten half-century solidified the West Indies’ advantage over Zimbabwe on the third morning of the first Test at Queens Sports Club on Monday.

Brathwaite survived a couple of dropped catches to reach lunch on 70 not out, which helped the West Indies to a score of 155 for two in their second innings and an overall lead of 215 runs.

The West Indies began the third day on 88 for one, with Brathwaite on 38, and the tourists were forced to make slow but steady progress on an increasingly sluggish Queens pitch.

Zimbabwe’s only success of the morning came when seamer Kyle Jarvis trapped Kyle Hope lbw for a career-best 43, ending a partnership of 82 for the second wicket.

Hope was replaced in the middle by his younger brother, Shai, who advanced to 24 not out in an unbroken partnership of 48 with Brathwaite.

Zimbabwe’s frustration grew shortly before lunch when legspinner Graeme Cremer found the edge of Brathwaite’s bat twice in two overs, but saw catches dropped by slip Hamilton Masakadza and wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva.

Zimbabwe had bowled the West Indies out for 219 on the opening day of the two-match series, but were then dismissed for 159 on day two.