Australia defeat Zimbabwe, Mitchell Johnson takes 4 wickets - ICC World Cup 2011
The fourth match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2011 kicked off between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 on 21st February, 2011, at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad in India.
The four-time World Cup champions began their title defence and bid for a fifth time win on a positive note as Australian pace bowlers demolished the Zimbabwean batting order.
Many were sceptical of Australia’s recent form, since the team struggled in Subcontinent conditions and lost two warm-up matches against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757.
The crowds were seeking the first upset in the cricket’s biggest extravaganza whereas some hoped that Zimbabwe would repeat their 1983 World Cup opening feat that saw them winning by 13 runs against Australia.
However, the Zimbabwean batting order could not handle the pace trio of Australia.
Earlier, Australian captain, Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat first without hesitation as the Motera ground offered a slow track. Even former Australian cricketer, Ian Chappell, agreed in his pre-match pitch analysis that the Ahmedabad wicket was exceptional for batting.
However, Zimbabwe demonstrated some disciplined fielding and bowling as the Aussie opening duo of Shane Watson and Brad Haddin struggled to find the gap to hit boundaries. The Zimbabwean team also offered some inspiring fielding, ensuring that the batsmen find it hard to hit big shots.
However, Watson, who has made a habit of posting huge scores for his team, provided the bulk of runs at the top order, sharing a 61-run partnership for the first wicket.
It was hoped that the openers would at least rake in 30 runs from the first batting power-play but they took cautious steps in the beginning. The openers were testing the bowlers’ nerves but http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 slowly and surely broke loose and started to strike the ball with enormous force, smashing eight fours and a six to score 79 runs off 92 balls.
Zimbabwe achieved the breakthrough when Haddin stepped back to a strong delivery from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Prosper-Utseya-c82728 that struck in line of middle and leg stump. But on-field umpire, Asoka de Silva, thought it was an inside edge and gave it not out.
However, the Zimbabweans asked for a review and had the decision over-turned. The wicket-keeper batsman struggled right through the start as he contributed 29 runs off 66 balls.
His dismissal brought the Australian skipper at the crease. Ponting seemed more comfortable than Haddin, as Watson looked all set to make his century but the star all-rounder was dismissed in the 32nd over when he stretched forward to a Graeme Cremer delivery and played with more pad than bat.
Zimbabwe’s wicketkeeper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tatenda-Taibu-c92882, insisted on a referral after umpire initially gave Watson not out and the Rhodesians got their man.
The Zimbabwean fielding was strong throughout their innings and was rewarded when Ponting was run-out off a direct hit from deep mid-wicket by Chris Mpofu. Ponting seemed flustered as he went back to the pavilion after scoring 28 runs off 36 balls.
However, Australia were steered safely by vice-captain, Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, and, Cameron White, as the pair took the team to cross the 200-mark with a 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket stand. But Mpofu claimed White’s wicket in the 44.6th over as Australia was reduced to 207 for the loss of four wickets.
However, Clarke remained focused and smashed four boundaries to steer the team to 241 along with the help of David Hussey (14 runs off 8 balls). Clarke remained unbeaten on 58 runs as Steve Smith cleared the boundary with some powerful strokes to hit 11 off 4 balls.
But Australia managed to give Zimbabwe a 262 chase for the loss of six wickets.
Yet, the Zimbabwean batting order faltered midway to lethal bowling from Australian pacers. Zimbabwe’s openers, Brendon http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915, and, Charles Coventry, started off confidently.
However, Brett Lee steamed in with the new ball as he drew a mishit from Coventry and charged to take the catch himself. Coventry scored 14 off 24 balls smashing a four and a six.
Taylor did his best to face the pace attack but the revival was short-lived as Tatenda Taibu (7 off 17 balls) glided a Mitchell Johnson delivery, which was caught by Watson. Taylor followed Taibu as he was bowled out by Tait.
However, Chris Ervine’s time at the crease was limited as well as Johnson’s delivery hit him in front of middle and leg and Australia successfully asked for a referral after the on-field umpire turned dowm their leg before wicket (LBW) appeal.
Zimbabwe was reeling on 44 for the loss of four wickets in the 13th over.
Captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Williams-c98034, also tried hard to lift Zimbabwe’s faltering batting order but they could do very little against the Aussie bowling onslaught.
The Zimbabwean batting innings seemed over as Chigumbura (14 off 25 balls) gloved Jason Krejza to Haddin and Williams soon followed as Tait claimed his wicket in the 24.6th over.
Utseya and Cremer brought some life to the otherwise one-sided affair to steer their team to 153. Utseya smashed 24 runs while Cremer was the highest-scoring player for Zimbabwe with 37 runs off 51 balls.
Mitchell Johnson completed his four-wicket haul as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 171 runs in 46.2 overs.
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