adminZimbabwe A were left 82 for five wickets at the close of play on day one, trailing the tourists by 144 runs, with just five wickets in hand after Australia A won the toss and chose bat.
“We bowled very well considering that we got this group of Test-capped players out for 226,” Zimbabwe assistant coach, Steve Mangongo, said.
“Kyle Jarvis bowled very well as well as Tendai Chatara but then we did not bat as we wanted, our dismissals were mixed, some of them were soft after being bombarded with good quality bowling and our guys just collapsed.
“I wouldn’t say we are too far off, this is our first game in two months so there are elements of match fitness and rustiness which play a part and any team is bound to make mistakes but these are things we will correct as we approach India next week.”
Jarvis destroyed the Australian top order, on his way to his four wickets for 54 runs in 16 overs.
Opener Nic Madinson (8) was his first victim getting an inside edge while attempting a pull shot then being caught behind.
Aaron Finch was trapped lbw for 11 runs with only 33 runs on the board. David Warner, who could have been playing for Australia in the Ashes at Lord’s had he not been sent here after running into disciplinary problems, did not offer much resistance and went cheaply.
Australia struggled at the top and Moises Henriques, who punched eight boundaries and a six, scored his half century that needed 84 balls.
Glenn Maxwell also scored a half century, getting 61 runs from 84 balls.
Elton Chigumbura, one of the home team’s seasoned all-rounders, retained figures of 3-42.
Zimbabwe’s reply never slipped into second gear and at one point they crashed to 47-4.
Vusi Sibanda (15), new opener Razza Butt (14), Hamilton Masakadza (5) all went cheaply.
Malcom Waller was unbeaten at stumps on 19. Australia’s fast bowler, Pat Cummings, said his team had bowled themselves into a strong position.
“I thought we had a pretty good day and we probably could have got a few more runs, we kept it pretty tight on them and if we can get them out in the first session we will set the game up. “We will try to keep it tight again and attack by trying to make them play. The wicket has enough pace and seem to get wickets so we will keep attacking,” said Cummings.
Online Reporter