Zimbabwe do well to restrict Australia

By Jamie Alter

 

Elton Chigumbura marshalled his resources well, shuffling his bowlers around and employing fielders in good areas, but that they will now chase 262 instead of 240 is testament both to their nerves and to Australia’s determination, exemplified by a bullish unbeaten innings from Michael Clarke.

By Jamie Alter

Ahmedabad: Feb 21, 2011

Refreshingly, there was no carnage. Australia had been expected to boss Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad, but instead a rather subdued 50 overs played out as Zimbabwe’s spinners stymied Australia’s big bats.

 

Elton Chigumbura marshalled his resources well, shuffling his bowlers around and employing fielders in good areas, but that they will now chase 262 instead of 240 is testament both to their nerves and to Australia’s determination, exemplified by a bullish unbeaten innings from Michael Clarke.

There were times when Zimbabwe did actually inch towards gaining the momentum – as they did when keeping Australia to 61 for 1 in 20 overs, and then getting Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting in successive overs – but they could not cash in.

 

In allowing a 63-run partnership between Michael Clarke and Cameron White, they let Australia claw their way back into the match, and calm whatever nerves there might have been in the dressing-room.

 

For a second time in the match, Australia left the door ajar – losing White during a poor Powerplay – and again, Zimbabwe merely peered curiously through, instead of actually forcing their way in.

Australia appeared set to control the match from the time Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first. This helped them avoid three-and-half-hours in 31 C heat, and gave them best use of a slow pitch. As expected, Zimbabwe quickly turned to their spinners – their seamers only bowled 11 overs in the innings – and Watson and Brad Haddin were kept unusually quiet.

Ray Price, taking the new ball with medium-pacer Chris Mpofu, was parsimonious and the pair allowed just 19 runs in the first seven overs. Price bowled a stifling line, keeping it predominantly quick and flat, and with little room on offer Watson and Haddin spent most of their time prodding forward or picking singles off the pads. 

 

Prosper Utseya came into the attack with his variety of offspin and continued the good work, resulting in Australia scoring just 28 off the first Powerplay.

Watson and Haddin managed to create some breathing room when Mpofy returned to bowl the 14th over. Watson capitalized on room down the leg side with a flick and a pull for boundaries, and then Haddin used his feet beautifully to crack four more over extra cover.

 

After the lull, the pair was ticking along comfortably but Utseya brought Zimbabwe back into the game by finding a successful UDRS review for an lbw shout against Haddin in the 19th over (61 for 1).

The early part of his knock was patchy, but once Watson got into his stride the Nagpur crowd was treated to some positive strokeplay, with his cutting and pulling being especially pleasing. His scoring-rate improved after he crossed fifty off 69 balls, and three fours and a ferocious six over midwicket hinted at much more.

 

But instead he fell for 79, struck on the pad by a fizzing delivery from Graeme Cremer. The appeal for lbw was turned down by umpire Richard Kettleborough, but for the second time running Zimbabwe got it right when asking for a referral. Moments later, Mpofu was back in action with an accurate throw from midwicket to run out Ponting for 28 (144 for 3).

Craig Ervine grassed a very tough chance in the deep when Cameron White was 18, soon after Australia opted for the batting Powerplay in the 40th over, and fleetingly it appeared Zimbabwe would play. Instead, Chigumbura called back Mpofu and White’s smear across the line resulted in shattered stumps. Just 35 had come from the third Powerplay.

Then Clarke and David Hussey milked 34 runs from 19 balls, with Clarke breezing to his half-century, and Steven Smith smoked 11 off four balls to get the score past 250. Zimbabwe bowled admirably to keep Australia to that total, and now their batsmen have to reciprocate.
 
Brief Score: Australia 262 for 6 in 50 overs (Shane Watson 79; Michael Clarke 58*; Chris Mpofu 2 for 58, Graeme Cremer 1 for 41, Ray Price 1 for 43, Prosper Utseya 1 for 43) vs Zimbabwe.

(Jamie Alter is a freelance cricket writer, having worked at ESPNcricinfo and All Sports Magazine. His first book, The History of World Cup Cricket, is out now)

 

Pictures © Getty Images

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