Twenty/20

2010 T20 World Cup Warm-Up: Zimbabwe beat Australia

Zimbabwe beat Australia by one run in an ICC World Twenty20 warm-up match in Saint Lucia, the African side prevailing over the 2007 World Cup champions for the second time in the shortest form of the game.
Australia closed on 172 for seven having made a good start to their pursuit of 174 to win with wickets tumbling towards the end of the match.

Elton Chigumbura had earlier blasted 76 in 33 balls with five fours and six sixes, two overs from Nathan Hauritz disappearing for 24. Although quick men Brett Lee (1-13) and Mitchell Johnson (4-23) fared well, Daniel Christian conceded 29 in three overs and the wicket of Chigumbura cost Shane Watson 34 runs in two overs.

Offering Chigumbura support was Craig Ervine (30) and Taylor (15), the only other players to reach double figures. Watson’s miserable day continued when he fell for just two, caught by Chigumbura as Prosper Utseya struck quickly but Zimbabwe were then frustrated by a 78-run partnership between David Warner and Clarke.

Warner hammered four fours and five sixes in hitting 72 in 51 balls but Australia’s innings stuttered once he was dismissed, caught and bowled by Graeme Cremer. David Hussey (16 in 10 balls) and Brad Haddin (13 in six) hit out to good effect but they could not do enough to put Australia in a winning position and Zimbabwe held their nerve to give them a huge confidence boost heading into the tournament, which begins on 30th April.