adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE cricket captain Elton Chigumbura believes their landmark three-wicket win over Australia in a One Day International over Australia on Sunday is evidence that hard work eventually pays off even for the little Davids of world cricket.Chigumbura led from the front, with a captain’s innings, as he helped Zimbabwe post one of their greatest victories in the history of the national team.
“It was a proud moment for everyone, for Zimbabwe Cricket and even for Zimbabwe because it’s been more than 30 years since we beat Australia,” Chigumbura said.
“The guys worked very hard for this and supporters were behind us throughout. We just have to keep working. Hopefully, we will have another good game on Thursday.”
Zimbabwe remained number 10 on the International Cricket Council rankings but Australia fell from number one to four.
India, who were ranked second, are now the top ODI team in the world followed by South Africa while Sri Lanka are in third place.
Zimbabwe coach Steve Mangongo praised his men and the fans who backed their cause after his finest hour in his new adventure.
“We are also very pragmatic. It’s not many times that we’re going to beat number one or two in the world, so when it does happen I’m sure those positive people in Zimbabwe feel happy about it,” Mangongo said.
“There are a lot of positive Zimbabweans who love sport.
“I’m sure you heard all the singing on the joyous and momentous occasion when Zimbabwe won and I’m sure those positive people are very happy that their team managed to win the game.”
Zimbabwe Cricket chiefs were receiving messages, from all over the world, on Sunday night, congratulating them for a great victory.
There were others, like Brydon Coverdale writing on ESPNCricinfo, who actually felt that Zimbabwe’s win was good for world cricket.
“No doubt Clarke was extremely disappointed to lead Australia to their first ODI loss to Zimbabwe in 31 years,” Coverdale wrote.
“But by the end of the summer, or the end of the World Cup, or the end of next year’s Ashes tour of England, he will view it with more perspective. It might be the loss that reminds his men, until today the No.1-ranked ODI side and until recently No.1 in Tests, that they are mortal.
“That’s no bad thing. Maybe he will even recognise that Australia’s loss was good for cricket. In fact it was great for cricket. There are only ten ICC full members and two have been floundering for years.
“A win like this for Zimbabwe, in front of loyal and passionate home fans, can only strengthen cricket in Zimbabwe and that in turn can only be a positive for world cricket.
“To see the looks of joyous disbelief from the fans at the ground in Harare was to witness that greatest of sporting stories, the broken drought. This loss will teach Australia some lessons, but unless Clarke aggravated his hamstring even more by returning to the field late in the game, will ultimately cost them little.
“For Zimbabwe, it will make heroes of men like Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya, and will boost the team and their fans immeasurably. No doubt they celebrated like it was 1983. Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up to work in Zimbabwe on Monday is a bum.”
While the Zimbabweans were celebrating, there was fire in the Australian camp.
“There’s probably not enough expletives in the English language at the moment for the way I’m feeling but they’ve (Australian cricketers) got to learn,” Aussie coach Darren Lehmann said.
“We weren’t good enough and we’ve got to learn really quickly because teams are going to see that and they’re going to react to it.”
Online Reporter