Zimbabwe stun a nearly full-strength Australia in historic third ODI win
Zimbabwe stunned a nearly full-strength Australia by three wickets on Saturday to claim a historic victory in the third one-day international in Townsville.
Sean Williams Sport News
3rd ODI: Ryan Burl picks up five wickets as Zimbabwe shock Australia
Sent in to bat, to the crowd's short-lived delight, Australia slumped to 141 all out in 31 overs with a counter-attacking 94 from 96 balls by David Warner the only major contribution. Australia's bowlers tried admirably to defend the low total, but visiting captain Regis Chakabva (37 off 72 balls) ensured his side secured an unlikely upset, only their third ODI win against the home side, reaching 142-7 in 39 overs.
From Castle Corner to Castle Hill, Zimbabwe experience generational journey
TOWNSVILLE, Australia : Just a few feet shy of being classified a mountain, Castle Hill towers over the city of Townsville and on Saturday it will serve as the backdrop for a sporting event which has had North Queensland buzzing for a week.
From Castle Corner to Castle Hill, Zimbabwe cricketers experience generational journey
Australia are playing their first ever international series in the region but it is not the one-day cricket that is so exciting locals and packing out the city hotels. Zimbabwe, perpetual minnows of the game, have waited 18 long years to travel Down Under and face the might of Australia, and now, finally given the chance, they are being overshadowed by a rugby league match. The hometown North Queensland Cowboys play the reigning champion Penrith Panthers on Saturday night in a sold-out National Rugby League clash and in this part of Queensland, that cannot be topped.
Starc, Zampa help Australia steam roll Zimbabwe in second ODI
TOWNSVILLE, Australia :Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa collected three wickets apiece in Australia's eight-wicket demolition of Zimbabwe in the second one-day international on Wednesday, giving the home side an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Townsville.
Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa help Australia steamroll Zimbabwe in second ODI
Zimbabwe in the second one-day international on Wednesday, giving the home side an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Townsville. After being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe were unable to repeat their respectable performance from game one, crumbling for 96 all out in 27.5 overs. In reply, Australia peeled off 100-2 in 14.4 overs before a modest weekday crowd. "Pretty clinical today," Starc said in the post-match news conference. "Some guys are coming off some cricket, others are coming off a few weeks of no matches. I think everyone's finding a nice rhythm." The left-armer recorded figures of 3-24 and bowled with pace to clean up Zimbabwe's top-order. The unfancied tourists never recovered after losing 25-3 inside the first powerplay, including the wicket of Sunday's top-scorer, Wesley Madhevere, trapped lbw for nought.
Gary Ballance welcome to play for Zimbabwe: Dave Houghton
Zimbabwe should he decide to return to the country of his birth, Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton said on Tuesday. Harare-born Ballance moved to England as a schoolboy and played 23 Tests and 16 one-day internationals before falling out of favour.
England's Ballance welcome to play for Zimbabwe, says Houghton
TOWNSVILLE, Australia : Former England batsman Gary Ballance will be welcomed to play for Zimbabwe should he decide to return to the country of his birth, Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton said on Tuesday.