West Indies captain Brian Lara hits the winning six to lead the West Indies to victory against Zimbabwe and into the Super Eight stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Sabina Park yesterday. Lara hit an unbeaten 44. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

A DAY that got off to a sombre start at Sabina Park yesterday ended on a high for the West Indies as the hosts advanced to the Super Eight stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup after beating Zimbabwe by six wickets.

With flags still flying at half mast, a mark of respect to Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer who died Sunday, master batsman and captain Brian Lara hit Elton Chigumbura for six over straight midwicket leaving Stuart Matsikenyeri to go fetch.

Zimbabwe had batted first and posted 205 for five wickets off their 50 overs to which West Indies launched a successful reply with Lara being unbeaten on 44 at the end together with Dwayne Bravo.

"There is only one Brian Lara and none other," sang a group of men in West Indies shirts.

Bravo's day

The song was without a rhythm, but understandably so. The singers all had liquor in their hands and were rocking from side to side.

"Lara, King Lara," shouted another group as they posed for a picture.

It was, however, not only Lara's day. Bravo, who made 37 not out, gave a policeman his five minutes of fame after hitting a six into the crowd, the ball being caught by the policeman. This earned him a few hand shakes from patrons in the party stand.

Homeboy Chris Gayle too found form in front of his home crowd, hammering 40, inclusive of three massive sixes off consecutive deliveries.

Marred by violence

But despite the excitement, a man, who must be a candidate for being the heaviest in the stadium, overexalted himself and found himself in police custody charged with a crime after hitting a female at the ground.

He allegedly hit the young girl after she told him he was blocking her view. That aside, however, the day was incident free.

ICC officials said over 9,500 persons were in attendance yesterday and from the utterances of some of them, West Indies are on their way to a third World Cup title.

For Zimbabwe however, they have to beat Pakistan on Wednesday to have any chance of advancing to the Super Eight. They tied their first game with the Irish who knocked Pakistan out of the competition on Saturday with one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history.