Australia start with easy win over Zimbabwe in World Cup

An indifferernt batting display notwithstanding, Australia looked thorough professionals as they beat Zimbabwe by 91 runs in their opening match of the 2011 World Cup at the floodlit Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera here on Monday.

Chasing a target off 263, Zimbabwe never really looked in the game as the Australian bowlers came out firing in all cylinders to bowl them out for 171 in 46.2 overs in their Group A encounter.

Pacer Mitchell Johnson was the chief destroyer as he not only took four wickets, but also kept hurrying the inexperienced Zimbabweans with his pace. The win takes Australia’s winning streak to 30 matches at the World Cup. Zimbabwe’s only resistance came from the eighth wicket pair of Prosper Utseya (24) and Graeme Cremer (37) as the duo put on 49- runs.

Openers Brendan Taylor and Charles Coventry looked uncomfortable against the pace of Shaun Tait and Brett Lee right from the start. A flat six off Lee over covers in the fourth over seemed to excite Coventry and he perished trying to hook a Lee bouncer the next over, only managing to top- edge it straight to Lee.

With Coventry (14) back in the hut, Tatenda Taibu joined Taylor. The duo crossed the 10- over mark with the score on 39 for one. Johnson finally got Taibu (7) as he edged Johnson to Shane Watson at wide first slip. Tait then returned to send Taylor’s (16) middle stump for a joy- ride.

Skipper Elton Chigumbura joined Craig Ervine, but even before their partnership could get off the blocks, Johnson bowled a fast in- swinger that thudded into Ervine’s pads. Sri Lankan umpire Asoka de Silva, however, ruled Ervine not out. Australia went for the decision review and third umpire Amiesh Saheba sent Ervine (0) back to the pavilion.

With Zimbabwe tottering at 44 for four, it was only a matter of time before the Zimbabwe innings folded. Earlier, winning the toss, Ricky Ponting decided to bat first. But the horror of losing the Ashes still seemed to linger in their mind as the Australians played in Testmatch mode.

The Zimbabwean bowlers – Ray Price and Chris Mpofu — looked to dominate as Watson and Haddin struggled to get the score moving. At the end of the first 10 overs, Australia were 28 for no loss.

Haddin and Watson finally broke free in the 14th over. While Watson flicked Mpofu to fine- leg before hitting him to the mid- wicket fence, Haddin swatted him over mid- on before showing how a perfect cover drive is played. The two immediately went back to ‘ Test’ mode and Utseya finally caught Haddin plumb in front as Australia were 53 for one.

Ponting’s arrival improved the runrate, but Watson still looked rusty. Just when he looked to get into the groove, Watson’s innings was cut short by Cremer, trapped leg before for 79. Australia were dealt another blow in the very next over as Ponting (28) was run out by a brilliant direct- hit by Mpofu from the mid- wicket fence.

At the end of 40 overs, Australia were 172 for three. With White bowled by Mpofu for 22 off 36 balls, Australia could manage just 32 runs in the third Powerplay. It was Clarke (unbeaten on 58) who helped Australia reach a respectable 262 for six.