Rising

West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor will head to South Africa for his country's long tour in fine fettle after being the scourge of Zimbabwe.

The West Indies play three Tests, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 game against the Proteas in a gruelling tour that kicks off with a day-night ODI against a Makhaya Ntini Invitation XI and ends with the fifth ODI on February 3.

And Taylor will be relied upon to reproduce his scintillating bowling form that saw him take 11 wickets in four matches in Zimbabwe, won 3-1 by the West Indies, with the fifth and final ODI rained off.

Manager Clive Lloyd named Taylor man-of-the-series for his haul at an average of 13.71, with a strike rate of 20.6. The bowler also picked up man-of-the-match awards in the third and fourth matches.

"This was a great series for me and I believe I am bowling very well at the moment," admitted Taylor.

"My confidence is high and the team is on a high as we move on to the series in South Africa," said the 23-year-old, who is on his second tour to the southern African nation.

"I'm happy to play a leading role and perform at my best for the West Indies. I enjoy representing the people of the West Indies and will be striving to go from strength to strength."

In the opening match of the series against Zimbabwe, Taylor took 2-68 in a shock defeat and in the second match he claimed 1-17 from eight overs.

But in the third match at the Harare Sports Club Taylor grabbed 3-18 from 9.5 overs and on Friday nabbed a career-best 5-48.

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