Harare, Nov 07:Zimbabwe are in the driving seat against West Indies in the first Test after taking three late wickets. West Indies slumped to 241-6 as play finished early because of bad light on day three, and they still trail Zimbabwe by 266 runs.

Blessing Mahwire and spinner Ray Price did the damage with the ball.

Mahwire removed Wavell Hinds (79) and Daren Ganga (73), while Price took 3-39 off 18 overs, including Brian Lara for 29.

Captain Lara gave his wicket away cheaply while Hinds and Ganga made good starts but failed to reach centuries.

Hinds smashed 79 off 95 balls, including 15 fours, and Ganga was more patient hitting his 73 off 141 deliveries as the pair put on 77 for the second wicket.

Ramnaresh Sarwan disappointed with just nine and Ridley Jacobs was soon back in the pavilion after scoring five.

Price said he was happy with his efforts after being sent all around the park during Aussie Matthew Hayden's record knock of 380 last month.

"It's good to be bowling against lesser mortals," he said.

"After bowling against the world champions, I'm just enjoying myself. "Normally I try and contain a lot, but I learnt a hell of a lot in Australia - to be more myself and to enjoy my bowling."

The start of the day's play was delayed 90 minutes after a heavy roller incident.

A player's practice ball was lodged under the roller and left embedded in the pitch and emergency repairs had to be carried out.

Lara said: "Something as small and as freakish as that should not interfere with a cricket game.

"I thought the groundstaff went about it very professionally, and as we saw that it played no part in the game." Bureau Report