An amazing team performance from Zimbabwe has broken a 31-year drought, as they defeated Australia for the first time in over three decades, at Harare Sports Club in an ODI.
It was definitely not a batsman’s pitch and conditions were irritatingly tough. However, with the return of skipper Michael Clarke, the Aussies chose to have a bat first.
Unfortunately both Aaron FInch and Phillip Hughes failed at the top of the order, along with George Bailey. Michael Clarke came in and played anchor for the innings, before his hamstring was aggravated and he had to retire hurt.
However, Clarke did come back later in the innings to finish on a brilliant captain’s knock of 68 not out! Brad Haddin also pitched in with an illustrious 49, whilst Ben Cutting whacked 26 down the order.
Australia finished on a rather small score of 209 for the loss of 9 wickets. Prosper Utseya was once again brilliant taking two wickets for Zimbabwe, as the door opened for them to get a victory!
Zimbabwe were so fired up when they went into their innings, because Australia had given them a back stage pass to break their 31-year drought. They most certainly took the back stage pass, as they tormented Australia and frustrated Michael Clarke, eventually leaving him discombobulated.
Brendan Taylor set it up for Zimbabwe with a contributing 32 up the order, before Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya put the foot on the gas. Chigum finished on a spectacular 52 not out, whilst Utseya was unbeaten on 30.
Not even Australia’s star bowling line-up good get their heads around Zimbabwe’s miracle performance. At the end of the day, Zimbabwe were the better team and they deserved the victory 100%. Australia just have some work to do…
It was amazing to see Zimbabwe take the confidence they got out of their last performance against South Africa and convert into something bigger against Australia. They worked really well as a team, and they will become a bigger threat in the future, now they’ve beaten the number one ODI team in world cricket!
The most common look projected across the faces of Australian fans, supporters and players: anguish. Image: AFP
