West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored half-centuries before rain ended play early on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

The tourists were 112-0 off 51 overs in Bulawayo as they sought to extend an unbeaten Test record against the hosts having won seven of the previous 10 and drawn three.

Brathwaite was first to reach 50, thanks to three runs from a drive past mid-off, and also scored two fours in an unbeaten 55 when rain intervened.

Chanderpaul was also 55* at the Queens Sports Club having scored a second half-century in only a third Test appearance. His knock included eight fours.

The first Test of two in southwestern Zimbabwe marked the debut of West Indies legend Brian Lara as national teams performance mentor.

Lara, scorer of 11,953 runs in 131 Tests, is assisting interim coach Andre Coley as the West Indies seek a return to winning ways after a 2-0 Test series loss in Australia two months ago.

Spinners Wellington Masakadza (0-13) and Brandon Mavuta (0-18) were the most successful Zimbabwe bowlers.

Craig Ervine captained Zimbabwe as Sean Williams is injured while star all-rounder Sikandar Raza missed out due to franchise commitments in the UAE.

© Agence France-Presse