BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (CMC) — West Indies snatched four wickets in the second session on the penultimate day to quell a Zimbabwe fightback and install themselves as firm favourites to win the opening Test here Tuesday.

At tea, the hosts were 159 for four in their second innings at Queens Sports Club — still 275 runs adrift of their improbable target of 434.

Brendan Taylor was unbeaten on 25 and partnered by Sikandar Raza on two, while Hamilton Masakadza has so far top-scored with 57. Opening partner Solomon Mire made 47.

Well placed on 76 without loss at lunch after West Indies were dismissed for 373, Zimbabwe declined slowly as leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, with two for 33, cut through the top order.

Masakadza and Mire extended their partnership to 99 before both perished inside the first hour following the resumption.

The right-handed Masakadza struck 10 fours in a 93-ball knock before falling to a catch close-in off part-time off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite.

And Mire followed eight balls later in the next over, bowled by seamer Kemar Roach off his pads after facing 77 balls and striking seven fours.

Craig Ervine (18) and Taylor put on 32 for the third wicket before Bishoo strike twice in quick succession to tilt the balance the visitors’ way.