Zimbabwe defeated a virtually full-strength Australia by three wickets to earn a historic win in the third one-day international played in Townsville on Saturday.
After leg-spinner Ryan Burl (5-10) played a key part in dismissing the hosts for a dismal 141, Zimbabwe survived a shaky chase to defeat the cricket superpower for the first time in Australia by reaching the goal in the 39th over, sparking scenes of jubilation.
Zimbabwe secured a consolation win to end the three-match series.
Zimbabwe captain Regis Chakabva, who top-scored with a composed 37 not out, said, “We shown a lot of grit… it was a credit to the hard effort the players put in.” Chakabva, who got the game’s highest score with 37 not out, was not out.
The moment Zimbabwe entered the annals of history! #AUSvZIM picture from Twitter: NfGA9zxT4W
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 3, 2022
Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Tadiwanashe Marumani established a 38-run opening stand for the visitors in their quest of the target total.
But Australia quick Josh Hazlewood flipped the game on its head by dismissing Kaitano (19) in the ninth over, followed by Wessly Madhevere and Sean Williams with successive deliveries.
Zimbabwe, chasing only their third win over Australia in 32 ODIs, played conservatively and collapsed to 77-5 when Murumani (35) was dismissed by Cameron Green, a towering all-rounder.
Chakabva calmed the jitters and was joined by an inspired Burl, who smashed a six off player-of-the-series Adam Zampa to bring Zimbabwe close to a historic triumph.
With five runs required, he was out, but there was no late twist.
“Unyielding with the ball”
“You can lose at any time in international sports, and we witnessed that tonight,” said Australia’s skipper, Aaron Finch.
Early on, they were persistent with the ball.
In their first series in Australia since 2004, Zimbabwe failed to remain competitive in the first two games at the same venue and were outscored by 96 runs on Wednesday.
In a confidence-boosting move, Chakabva won the toss for the first time in the series, and his precise assault often dismissed Australia’s misfiring batting order.
Australia’s innings lasted just 31 overs, with renowned opener David Warner (94 not out) being the only batsman to reach double digits.
After Zimbabwe’s probing seamers decimated Australia’s top-order, an inspired Burl took five wickets in 18 balls, beginning with the vital scalp of Glenn Maxwell, who helped rebuild the innings with a fifty-run stand with David Warner.
The dangerous Maxwell was out for 19 in the 27th over, and Burl had his greatest performance of his career, including the dismissal of Warner, who came just short of his 19th ODI century.
Zimbabwe bowled out Australia for the first time in One-Day Internationals, and the eventual victory boosted their effort to climb the ODI Super League ladder, which contributes to qualifying for the 50-over World Cup in India next year.
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