Morton century lifts Windies to 263 for six

PORT-OF-SPAIN, May 13 (Reuters) Runako Morton today struck a century to help West Indies reach 263 in the sixth one-day cricket international against Zimbabwe Opener Morton made 109 off 150 balls as West Indies, batting first after winning the toss for the fourth time in the series, reached their total for six in their 50 overs.

Morton struck 12 powerful fours and a six but slowed when spinners Ryan Higgins and Prosper Utseya were in tandem in the middle overs as Zimbabwe did well to contain the West Indian batsmen.

Morton's second century in his 17th ODI was eventually ended when he gave a catch to deep mid-on off seamer Anthony Ireland in the 43rd over.

Ramnaresh Sarwan weighed in with a purposeful 54 off 62 balls and added 134 for the second wicket with Morton before Zimbabwe started their fightback.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul contributed a breezy unbeaten 51 off 44 balls and Carlton Baugh chipped in with 25 to help boost the West Indies' total with an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 57 in the last 5.1 overs.

Higgins, who finished with two for 39 off 10 overs, had earlier removed Sarwan and captain Brian Lara with the help of catches by wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor.

Sarwan fell attempting a cut, while Lara, who made only two, was trying to steer a delivery to third man.

Off-spinner Utseya was wicketless, but bowled 10 economical overs that cost 35 runs.

Fast bowler Tawanda Mupariwa, who removed Chris Gayle in his opening spell of seven overs in which he gave up only 12 runs, finished with two for 41 off his 10 overs.

REUTERS SY PM2336