Ryan Burl picked 5 for ten while Regis Chakabva scored an unbeaten 37 to help Zimbabwe to a three-wicket victory over Australia in the third ODI on Saturday.
The Chevrons created history in Townsville as they registered their first-ever win against Australia on Australian soil. The visitors edged past Australia by three wickets while chasing 142 in a tense finish.
Chasing a low target, Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Tadiwanashe Marumani got the visitors off to a good start. They added 38 on the board for the first wicket before Josh Hazlewood struck thrice in his next nine deliveries to bring Australia back in the game.
Sikandar Raza, who had done crazy things against Bangladesh and India while chasing, could not do much here getting bounced out. Marumani scored a crucial 35 before he was dismissed by Cam Green. Zimbabwe were five down for 77 at that stage, with the Aussies sensing a victory.
Chakabva slowly and steadily added 38 runs with Tony Munyonga (17), and 22 for the seventh wicket with Burl (11). The Zimbabwe skipper stayed till the end and ensured a famous victory with 37 not-out.
Earlier, David Warner put on a batting masterclass amidst a disastrous innings from Australia. The Zimbabwe pacers were spot on with their line and lengths from the beginning as Australia lost wickets at regular intervals. Aaron Finch’s poor form continued while Steve Smith and Alex Carey were dismissed early, getting reduced to 31 for 3.
Australia had lost half their side in 18 overs. While the innings was falling like a pack of cards at one end, Warner was magnificent at the other. He targeted the right deliveries and kept counter-attacking. The left-hander brought up his fifty off just 47 balls.
Warner scored a magnificent 94 off 96 before he was caught at deep midwicket off Ryan Burl’s bowling. He scored 66.67% of the total runs in Australia’s innings. The second highest percentage in an ODI innings behind Viv Richards. Glenn Maxwell, who scored 19, was the only other batter to touch double digits. Ryan Burl wrapped up the Australian innings with his 5 for 10 in just 18 balls.
Zimbabwe lost the ODI series by 2-1, but they will take home a piece of history from their first tour of Australia in 18 years.
Brief scores
Australia 141 in 31 overs (Warner 94; Burl 5/10, Evans 2/35) lost to Zimbabwe 142/7 in 39 overs (Chakabva 37*, Marumani 35; Hazlewood 3/30) by three wickets.
