http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 XI v Australia A - Australia A tour of Zimbabwe – Day 3 Recap
At the end of Day 3, Zimbabwe XI closed in on 134 for 3 in their second innings against Australia A, in match of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 A’s tour of Zimbabwe, played at the Country Club, Harare, on July 17, 2011.
Earlier, Australia A made 439 in their first innings, with the star of the day being their captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Short-c90107 of his century.
Zimbabwe closed in on Australia’s A first inning lead of 209, with a good hand by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/H-Masakadza-c1517, who remained unbeaten on 40.
The day started with Australia A resuming from their healthy overnight position of 294 for 4, with Paine on 19, along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mitchell-Marsh-c1974 (10).
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-Vitalis-Vitori-c48611 grabbed his second of the innings, dismissing Jason Krejza for 6.
Hopes of a comeback were shattered, as Paine and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Trent-Copeland-c2709 shared a sixth wicket stand of 66. While the skipper moved to his fifty, Copeland supported him well, making 32 with the help of five boundaries.
However, Copeland and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Benjamin-William-Hilfenhaus-c47742 to share a 53-run partnership with the Kangaroos captain.
With Hilfenhaus perishing, it was left for Paine to reach his century quickly. However, he was the last man to be dismissed as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/E-Chigumbura-c1411 took his catch, giving Vitori his 4th scalp. The skipper fell agonizingly short of what would have
been a well compiled ton.
For Zimbabwe, Vitori claimed figures of 4-86, while the expensive Tendai Chatara, along with all-rounder, Chigumbura, bagged a couple to their name.
Coming out for their second innings, openers, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gordon-James-Muchall-c60376 like the first innings, gave the team a solid platform. Both players weathered the new ball with good effect, playing cautiously, while hitting the odd ones to the
boundary.
However, tragedy struck when Vusi Sibanda, after playing a good hand of 31, fell to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Anthony-Beer-c75754. After negotiating the new ball, the skipper would have hoped to carry the momentum but left the field dejected.
Shortly afterwards, Mawoyo edged one to the wicket-keeper, off the bowling of Copeland. He too got his marching orders after making 34, in which he struck two fours.
The innings was rescued to some extent by an aggressive looking Masakadza, who attacked the Australian bowlers, hitting six boundaries in his unbeaten 40.
The Aussies though, struck one more just before the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Regis-Wiriranai-Chakabva-c84623 for 14.
At the close of play, Zimbabwe still trailed by 75 runs, with seven second inning wickets remaining.
They will be hoping for the batting order to click on day 4, looking to draw the match.
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