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Australia v Zimbabwe, Group B, ICC World Twenty20
Bubbly Zimbabwe, rusty Australia
Andrew McGlashan at Newlands
September 12, 2007
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Gary Brent epitomised Zimbabwe's tenacious accuracy in slippery conditions
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A sprinkling of hope
Moments after the toss a heavy shower scudded across Newlands and sent
the groundstaff hurrying for the covers. The rain cleared after about
15 minutes, in time for a prompt start, but it had added a smidgen
more life to the surface and it was a little helping hand for the
Zimbabwe bowlers. Anything to even the scales was very welcome.
An early surprise
Matthew Hayden tries to intimidate bowlers from the first ball,
striding down the crease and flexing his broad shoulders. When he
thumped his first delivery through midwicket for a dismissive boundary
it seemed business as usual. But the next ball from Elton Chigumbura
nipped away off the seam and Hayden edged a flashing cut through to
the wicketkeeper. It was only the start of Australia's problems.
Wait, wait, wait
There would have been long odds on Australia's first six of the ICC
World Twenty20 coming in the 14th over. But such were the
difficulties faced against the moving ball (and Zimbabwe's nagging
medium-pacers were making the most of the conditions) Australia's first priority was
for some consolidation. Finally, Brad Hodge produced a meaty swing over midwicket against the part-time leg spin of Hamilton Masakadza. It shouldn't be a surprise
that Hodge helped Australia's recovery; he is the leading run-scorer
worldwide in Twenty20.
Aren't you a wicketkeeper?
Tatenda Taibu is the complete multi-dimensional cricketer - which is just what's needed in this format. He's a
quality batsman and could easily have taken the wicketkeeping gloves
for this match. Instead they went to Brendan Taylor and in the 13th
over Taibu found himself at the bowling crease with some medium pace.
The move didn't quite work out and he was the only Zimbabwe bowler to
have an economy rate in double figures. But after his performance behind the stumps, Taylor won't be surrendering the gloves in a hurry.
More pace please
Normally facing Brett Lee wouldn't be high on a batsman's wish list,
but it helped Zimbabwe early on in their chase. An edge from Vusi
Sibanda flew wide of second slip and raced down to third man, then the
extra pace of Lee aided the same batsman to slot him twice through the
covers. Compare this to when the Australians faced Zimbabwe's
medium-pacers - it was a real struggle for them to get the ball
away.
Pinball
With Zimbabwe's asking-rate growing it was vital they kept the
scoreboard ticking, and it led to some helter-skelter running. In the
10th over Stuart Matsikenyeri drove square to Brad Hodge at point and
sprinted off for a run. He got a third of the way down before
realising it wasn't on and would have been out by miles. Instead he survived at both ends, and picked up an overthrow, as Australia missed with consecutive shies.
Symonds' rare fumble
There were plenty of signs that this was the first game for Australia
after a five-month off season, but Andrew Symonds' misfield at extra
cover is a sight not seen very often. Taylor drove the ball firmly,
but not with huge power, and it went through Symonds' slightly creaky
attempt to make the save. The two runs Taylor scampered brought Zimbabwe level on Duckworth/Lewis, and Australia were very twitchy.
Andrew McGlashan is a staff writer on Cricinfo
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