Australia vs Zimbabwe: Warner denies Smith century again in frustrating loss
Australia vs Zimbabwe: Warner denies Smith century again in frustrating loss: Zimbabwe managed to win an ODI in Australia for the first time and beat them 3-wickets. They did this by using spin bowling to get five wickets early with leg-spinner Ryan Burl taking 10.
The Zimbabwe captain won the toss and put Australia in to bat for the first time this series, taking three crucial wickets in the first ten overs. The left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava got skipper Aaron Finch, who had scored two centuries in the last three ODIs, out.
Coach Steve Smith lost a review to Victor Nyauchi after throwing his front foot over the line. Alex Carey was caught behind with Australia at 3-31 and nine overs completed.
Marcus Stoinis followed quicky after Cameron Green, as Warner put a stop to the scoring from the other end. Glenn Maxwell caused some problems for their opponents but was eventually dismissed by Burl, who managed to get him out popping it up in the air.
Warner’s pull shot was collected at the boundary, depriving him of a much needed and long overdue century. He hit 14 fours and two sixes as he came to the crease with a strike rate of 97.9. However, it has been 54 innings since Warner’s last century, in all formats, due to his dismissal for 90 this Saturday being his fourth dismissal in the 90s over that time span.
After a tragic loss, one solace could be found in Warner hitting the second-highest percentage of runs for a team in an ODI game since Viv Richards in 1984.
Bairstow’s five-wicket haul in just three overs helped pave the way for Zimbabwe’s win over Australia. Nyauchi was precise and efficient leading to just 15 runs coming from his six overs. After two losses to Australia, Zimbabwe found themselves in a position to pull off an unlikely upset after beating them back-to-back.
There was a tough bowling attack, but the visitors beat Australia with their captain and Brad Evans in the crease. It’s their third victory against the Australians, and first victory in 50-over cricket since 2014.
Zimbabwe captain, Brendan Taylor was able to top score with his unbeaten 37. He showed restraint and patience while the Australian side mixed up their attack, providing an anchor in partnership to see the match out.
Josh Hazlewood picked up a milestone 100th wicket in his ODI career and Mitchell Starc set a new record as the fastest player to 200 scalps in ODIs.
Zimbabwe was more of a trot than a canter, but their middle-order hit back 18 runs to give Zimbabwe some sense of hope.
Zimbabwe opened its innings with a partnership between Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Tadiwanashe Marumani before they were dismissed by Munyonga and Burl. They managed to score considerable runs before Evans’s boundary sealed the win with 12 overs still left. Australia prevailed in the series, defeating Zimbabwe 2-1 and advancing to their next series against New Zealand.