Australia stunned by Zimbabwe in final ODI

Zimbabwe have recorded their first ODI victory in Australia to stun the hosts by three wickets in the final match of their bi-lateral series, as leg-spinner Ryan Burl took 5-10 early for Zimbabwe to roll Australia for just 141.

Zimbabwe won the toss and put Australia in to bat for the first time this series, nabbing three crucial wickets inside the first 10 overs. Left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava got skipper Aaron Finch for the third time in three ODIs.

From the other end, Victor Nyauchi trapped Steve Smith leg before for one, the Australian unable to get the call reversed in a review. Alex Carey was next to fall, caught behind after an erratic shot that left Australia 3-31 off nine overs.

Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green swiftly followed as Warner kept the scoreboard ticking from the other end. Glenn Maxwell did some damage but he was the first to fall to leg-spinner Burl, who enticed him to hit in the air.

Warner’s pull shot shortly after was gathered on the boundary to deprive him of a much needed and long overdue century. Warner hit 14 fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 97.9. But it’s now been 54 innings across all formats since Warner’s last century with Saturday’s knock the fourth time he’s been dismissed in the 90s.

Some consolation could be found in Warner hitting the second highest percentage of runs for a team in an ODI game (66.6%), only behind Viv Richards in 1984.

Burl was the standout spinner for Zimbabwe with his five-wicket haul in just three overs. Nyauchi was precise and efficient for the seamers with just 15 coming from his six overs. After two comprehensive defeats to Australia in the last week, Zimbabwe then found themselves in the driver’s seat to post an unlikely upset.

Sure enough, the visitors battled through an unforgiving Australian bowling attack to prevail with skipper Regis Chakabva and Brad Evans at the crease to steer just their third ever win over Australia in the 50-over format, and first since 2014.

Chakabva’s knock was befitting of a captain with an unbeaten 37 to top score for his side. He showed restraint and patience as the Aussie’s mixed up their attack, being the anchor in a pair of partnerships to see out the contest.

Josh Hazlewood was the pick of Australia’s bowlers with 3-30 and registered a milestone 100th ODI career wicket on Saturday. Mitchell Starc became the fastest player ever to 200 ODI scalps in 102 matches when he picked up Burl’s wicket.

Zimbabwe’s chase was more of a trot than a canter but their middle-order partnership of skipper Chakabva and Tony Munyonga 18 (45) kept belief in a side that lost three wickets for just one run at one point.

Takudzwanashe Kaitano (19) and Tadiwanashe Marumani’s (35) opening partnership got them started with Munyonga and Burl hitting double figures before Evans’s boundary sealed the win with 12 overs to spare.

Despite the historic win for Zimbabwe, Australia prevailed 2-1 in the series and will now face New Zealand in three ODIs, beginning on Tuesday.

Source: The Guardian/Australian Associated Press