Taibu's previous best score was 51

Zimbabwe recovered from 58-3 after the first hour to end day one of the first Test against West Indies on 284-6.

Tatenda Taibu hit a Test-best 75 not out, sharing in two important partnerships late in the day.

The young wicket-keeper added 79 with Test newcomer Stuart Matsikenyeri (47) and 51, unbroken, with captain Heath Streak (16 not out).

For West Indies, Fidel Edwards, playing only his second Test, picked up decent figures of 3-73.

Streak won the toss and elected to bat first at the Harare Sports Club. The first wicket fell in only the sixth over.

Debutant Vusimuzi Sibanda had just hit two boundaries off consecutive Edwards deliveries, but attempting a third he could only give a catch to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs.

It meant he had to slope off back to the pavilion for 18 with the score on 26.

The main problem was that the guys got frustrated and they weren't patient enough Tatenda Taibu

Mark Vermeulen was caught at square leg off Edwards for eight when an attempted pull shot went wrong.

And Stuart Carlisle was another to contribute to his own downfall.

He had also made just eight when he gave Brian Lara a comfortable catch at second slip off Corey Collymore.

Trevor Gripper and Craig Wishart consolidated in a stand of 54.

Edwards gained two early wickets

But then, on a day when expansive drives outside the off stump caused the demise of five men, Gripper (41) gave Lara another catch as Jerome Taylor struck.

Wishart hit 47 before he was snared by swing-bowler Wavell Hinds and at 154-5 West Indies looked ready to seize the initiative.

But the home side's late middle order showed some fine sticking power.

Windies captain Lara tried five different seamers and four spinners, declining the second new ball, but it was all to no avail.

And he was further hampered when Taylor pulled up in the middle of his 10th over with a leg muscle strain.

Zimbabwe: Mark Vermeulen, Trevor Gripper, Stuart Carlisle, Craig Wishart, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu (wkt), Andy Blignaut, Heath Streak (capt), Ray Price, Blessing Mahwire.