Zimbabwe Cricket Union

4TH MATCH -- ZIMBABWE v AUSTRALIA

At Nagpur; 1 March 1996. ZIMBABWE 154 (A C Waller 67; S K Warne 4/34). AUSTRALIA 158/2 (M A Taylor 34, M E Waugh 76*, R T Ponting 33). Australia won by eight wickets (full scorecard).

This was the ground when only three months earlier nine spectators had been killed at a one-day international between New Zealand and India when a wall collapsed. It was thought that this tragedy kept down the number of spectators at this particular match, for it was an unusually small crowd on what is a small ground, especially the straight boundaries. Or perhaps they simply anticipated one of Zimbabwe's worst performances.

It was quite a good batting pitch, apart from taking a great deal of spin, but apart from Andy Waller Zimbabwe put up one of their poorest batting displays. Grant Flower was quickly bowled through the gate by Glenn McGrath, an unconvincing stroke, while Guy Whittall soon hit a return catch. Alistair Campbell fell to another soft dismissal, caught in the gully, while the left-handed Andy Flower came down the pitch to Shane Warne, only to miss the googly and be stumped. Waller played a fine innings, though, hitting very straight and driving particularly well, without ever having a secure enough partner to feel free enough to lash the bowling as he always liked to do.

Craig Evans began his innings well and hit a massive six off Mark Waugh. But then he unwisely tried to sweep Warne, only for the ball to take the top edge and be caught by wicket-keeper Ian Healy running back. When Waller finally ran himself out, hesitating over a second run which should never have been considered against the fine throwing arm of Glenn McGrath, there was little batting left. The display fully reflected the lack of confidence with which Zimbabwe was playing at that time, and their failure to apply themselves better.

The Australian bowling had been good, as they concentrated on bowling a tight line and length, and most of the batsmen showed little ability to play Shane Warne, who turned the ball very sharply. So sharply did he turn the ball that he conceded three wides, and had to pitch his leg-breaks well outside leg stump to avoid this. The Zimbabweans were never able to get a substantial partnership going, the best being 38 for the fifth wicket between Waller and Evans, and every time a pair looked like settling in together one of them got out.

Australia got off to a good start, after three maiden overs from Heath Streak, with an enterprising partnership between Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh. Then Zimbabwean bowlers again bowled too many bad balls, Charlie Lock especially having a disastrous opening spell, and the Australians took full advantage, while Bryan Strang was not up to his usual form. Heath Streak, though, was tighter than earlier in the tournament, although not penetrative, and he seemed to be finding his line and length, if not his zip. Waugh in particular played a classy innings, while Ricky Ponting also batted well.

Both wickets fell to Paul Strang, coming on after 15 overs and taking advantage of the amount of turn in the pitch. He was rather fortunate in dismissing Taylor, who was caught at deep midwicket off a long hop. Later he dismissed Ponting, who came down the pitch and was caught and bowled off a leading edge. Andy Flower admits to a tactical error in failing to bring Strang into the attack earlier, but he was worried about the restriction on deep fielders in the first 15 overs. Mark Waugh, after two successive centuries, was unbeaten at the close and might have reached a third had the target been larger.

As usual the Zimbabweans found the Australians friendly off the field and were able to enjoy a chat with them over drinks after the match, more than with any other team at this tournament. The Australians said that they had never seen the Zimbabweans play so poorly, and asked what the problem was. The Zimbabweans were unable to give them any answer, except for lack of confidence. The batting in particular was suffering from this problem, and certainly the loss of Dave Houghton was sorely felt. At this stage some of the players seemed to be losing their will to fight and were only looking forward to returning home.

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Date-stamped : 04 May1999 - 03:13