Harare: Elton Chigumbura hit an unbeaten half-century as Zimbabwe recorded a famous three-wicket victory over No. 1-ranked Australia in a one-day triangular series match in Harare on Sunday for only their second win over their opponents in 31 years.
Chigumbura finished on 52 not out and shared an unbroken stand of 55 with Prosper Utseya as Zimbabwe chased down a target of 210 to win with two overs to spare.
Zimbabwe’s only previous win over the Australians was at Trent Bridge in the 1983 World Cup, in the first ever encounter between the two sides.
Sunday’s defeat was a humbling experience for Australia, who misread conditions and left out legspinning all rounder Steve Smith, and underestimated Zimbabwe by resting premier fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.
It proved to be even costlier as inspirational captain Michael Clarke re-injured his hamstring and will fly home on Monday.
“At the end of the day the selectors pick the team and I try and get the best out of the players,” Clarke said.
“That’s all you can do. I think we’ve seen through Smithy’s career that he’s a pretty good player of spin bowling and he can bowl some handy leg spinners, so I think he would have been handy out there.”
Australia now need to beat South Africa on Tuesday to assure themselves of a place in Saturday’s final.
The hamstring injury had kept Clarke out of Australia’s first two games, and it flared up again to force him to retire hurt on 68 as Australia limped to a total of 209 for nine.
Zimbabwe had a wobble when Malcolm Waller and Donald Tiripano fell in quick succession, and at 156 for seven it looked as though they had thrown their opportunity away.
But Chigumbura and Utseya steadied the ship.
“It was a proud moment for Zimbabwe cricket and even for Zimbabwe because it’s been more than 30 years since we beat Australia,” Chigumbura said. (AFP)
Brief Score
Australia
M. Clarke not out 68
B. Haddin c Waller b Tiripano 49
B. Cutting run out 26
Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 209
Bowling: Utseya 10-0-45-2, Tiripano 6-1-34-2, Williams 10-2-21-2.
Zimbabwe
E. Chigumbura not out 52
B. Taylor b Lyon 32
P. Utseya not out 30
Total (7 wkts, 48 overs) 211
Bowling: Starc 10-3-41-2, Lyon 10-1-44-4.