| |
Untitled Document
 Zimbabwe stun Australia in Twenty20 World Cup
13th Sep 2007 11:00 IST
Agencies
Brendan Taylor struck his maiden half century in the shortest version of the game as Zimbabwe handed Australia an embarrassing five wicket defeat in a group B thriller of the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship at Wanderers in Cape Town on Wednesday.
After restricting the world champions to 138/9, the Zimbabweans reached the target with just one ball to spare in a rain-affected match.
Needing four runs of the last two deliveries, the Africans got to the total after getting four byes of the fifth ball of the over bowled by Nathan Bracken.
Man of the match Taylor (60 not out) anchored the Zimbabwean innings – teaming up with Vusi Sibanda (23) to put on 31 runs for the opening wicket and then adding 50 runs in a fifth-wicket partnership with Hamilton Masakadza (27).
The minnows had a minor mid-innings hiccup when Chamu Chibhabha (15), Tatenda Taibu (0) and Stuart Matsikenyeri (3) departed in quick succession.
But Taylor held the innings together from one end to guide Zimbabwe to a memorable win. The wicketkeeper's innings was studded with four hits to the fence and a couple of sixes.
The cliffhanger could have gone either way as heavens opened up with Zimbabwe at 74/4 giving Australia hopes of a Duckworth-Lewis win.
However, the rain-delay was brief and covers were quickly taken off as Zimbabwe resumed their innings.
For the Aussies medium pacer Stuart Clark was the most successful bowler, taking 2/22 runs in his four overs.
Pace spearhead Brett Lee, back in the side after an injury layoff, was hammered in his initial spell going for 19 in the first two overs but bowled well towards the end to pick up Masakadza's wicket.
continued.. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
| News |
|
|
| Face To Face |
|
|
| Columns |
|
|
| Off The Field |
|
|
| Players |
|
|
| |
|
|
