While there is little to suggest that the result in two days' time will be any different, it has to be hoped that match will provide more of a contest.

Zimbabwe's players would have been forgiven the odd wry smile during Bermuda's turgid performance with the bat as they ambled to 144 for 7 in their 50 overs, never looking remotely interested in a chase.

Only last week, Zimbabwe were adopting exactly the same tactics against West Indies, accepting they were not good enough to score the runs and preferring to try to bat out the overs.

Zimbabwe's batsmen at least took the opportunity to fill their boots after a drought against West Indies. Brendan Taylor, who has been threatening to play an innings of substance ever since he arrived in the Caribbean, provided the highlights. He smacked 98 off 75 balls, and was only deprived of a deserved hundred when he was bowled attempting the big hit off the last ball of the innings.

In fairness to Bermuda, they rested two of their frontline bowlers -- George O'Brien and the heavyweight Dwayne Leverock -- preferring to keep them as a surprise for Saturday.

BRIEF SCORES
ZIMBABWE: 338 for 7 in 50 overs (Taylor 98, Sibanda 78, Duffin 60).

BERMUDA: 144 for 7 in 50 overs (Romaine 62).