Zimbabwe trounced by Australia by 91 runs in World Cup; http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lee-c72382, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson shine
Defending champions http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 started the World Cup campaign with a resounding win over Zimbabwe at the Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Aussies, who have won the last three World Cups, were on a rampage especially with the ball as the hapless Africans stuttered against the three pronged pace attack of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson.
The Zimbabweans were rolled over for a paltry 171 in their chase of 263 runs, which was considered a below par total on a good batting track.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and opted to bat first in good batting conditions. The openers were not able to get to a flying start: Brad Haddin and Shane Watson found the going tough against some probing bowling by the Africans.
Haddin was the first one to go; he was trapped leg before wicket off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Prosper-Utseya-c82728. Ponting also failed to do much, after being run out for a meager score of 28.
Watson and Michael Clarke sat the platform for a competitive total, the two scored contrasting half centuries. Watson was dismissed for 79 runs scored off 92 balls, his inning was studded with 8 fours and 1 six.
Clarke was sent packing after scoring 58 off only 55 balls, his innings included 4 fours.
The rest of the Australian batting chipped in with some useful runs to take the total to the 262 runs mark.
The Zimbabweans were on the back foot from the outset, the first wicket fell when Charles Coventry was dismissed by Lee for 14 runs.
The next wicket fell when Tatenda Taibu was dismissed for 7 runs by Australia’s most successful bowler of the day: Johnson.
The Africans lost their way and failed to recover, they were eventually bowled out in the 47th over of the innings.
Johnson nabbed 4 wickets off 9.2 overs, he conceded a mere 19 runs in his spell. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 was named man of the match for his impressive 79 with the bat.
Australia play their next match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, on Friday, 25 February, 2011.
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