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Harare. — ZIMBABWE on Saturday scripted history in the third and final ODI cricket match against Australia.
After back-to-back defeats in the first two games had finished their chances of winning the ODI series as Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
However, that didn’t stop Zimbabwe from posting a thumping three-wicket win in the final game in Townsville.
For the first time in this series, Australia were seen batting first as Regis Chakabva won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Australia lost three early wickets with the likes of Aaron Finch (5), Steve Smith (1) and Alex Carey (4) failing to make the best of the opportunity. Marcus Stoinis and Chris Green were also dismissed for low scores — both adding three runs each to the team’s total. Thanks to David Warner’s lone battle with the Zimbabwe bowlers, it looked like the southpaw was into his own zone and playing completely on a different surface.
Warner pummelled 14 boundaries and two sixes in his 96-ball 94, which was a massive difference for Australia to post a moderate score on the board. Glenn Maxwell’s 19 off 22 balls was the second-best score for the hosts.
Zimbabwe all-rounder Ryan Burl cleaned up the lower order and also stopped Warner from scoring his 18th ODI ton. Burl claimed 5/10 from bowling just 18 balls (three overs) in the match as Australia were skittled out for 141 in 31 overs. The task wasn’t a walk in the park for Zimbabwe against a lethal bowling experience of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Zimbabwe was reduced to 77 for five with Hazlewood picking three wickets.
It was only before Chakabva and Tony Munyonga negated the threat in the middle and dealt in singles and doubles more often. Chakabva remained unbeaten on 37 to take Zimbabwe past the finishing line with 66 balls left in the innings. It was only Zimbabwe’s third win in ODIs against Australia in 33 attempts and their first one on Australian soil. With the victory, Zimbabwe sealed crucial ICC Men’s CWCSL points, despite Australia winning the three-match series 2-1. The ODI victory will undoubtedly come as a major boost for Zimbabwe as they amp up the preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. It will be back to the drawing board for the hosts though, who will look to improve upon their performance.
After the victory, Zimbabwe’s efforts were showered in praise by the cricketing fraternity on Twitter. Here are a few of them:
@ICC: Historic win for Zimbabwe. Their first ever ODI victory against the hosts in Australia.
@mmbangwa: What a win! Well done gents.
@alanwilkins22: Outstanding win for @ZimCricketv over @CricketAus in the 3rd ODI in Townsville! @ryanburl3 with 5/10 and skipper Regis Chakabva leading them home! An historic first ODI win on Australian soil! Well played ZIMBABWE!
@bhogleharsha: Wow @ZimCricketv, that is some result! More signs that you are looking up.
@Tristan Lavalette: Superb win for Zimbabwe. They deserve to play Tests in Australia. A reminder that they aren’t scheduled to play against Aus/Ind/Eng in the 2023-27 FTP.
@virendersehwag: Wow! Feels good when an underdog does well. Zimbabwe beating a full strength Australian side in Australia. Not that anywhere else would have been lesser, but at home beating Australia has to be. One of the biggest upsets in history of ODI cricket. Well done Zimbabwe.
@deeputalks: ODI wins against Australia in Australia in last 15 years. Zimbabwe: 1 in 3 matches. Pak + WI: 1 in 21 matches.
@ZimCricketv: #3rdODI | Historic! Zimbabwe beat Australia by 3 wickets to record their first win over Australia on Australian soil! Australia however take the series 2-1.
@WasimJaffer14: Well played Zimbabwe. #AUSvZIM
@AdamTheofilatos: A moment that will go down in history! Zimbabwe have toppled the Australian giants at home for the first time ever. An enormous achievement for the nation. We have never seen anything like it!
@ovshake42: Excellent from Zimbabwe. First a win against Bangladesh, then giving India a scare, then winning an ODI v Australia in Australia. All in roughly one month.
@Sivy_KW578: History made for Zimbabwe: their 1st ever win on Australian soil. Wonderful moment in their cricketing history.
We’re seeing a resurgence for ZIM recently: winning 2-1 vs BAN, running IND close, & now winning an ODI in AUS. They deserve more opportunities against top sides. — ICC Cricket News.
Online Reporter