Zimbabwe scripted a historic three-wicket victory against Australia, with leg-spinner Ryan Burl taking five wickets for 10 runs to bring the hosts down to their knees in the third and final One-day International.
Australia clinched the series 2-1, but the hosts suffered a defeat so comprehensive with nine of their batters scoring only single digits. David Warner’s 96-ball 94 was the saving grace for the hosts as they were bundled out for 141 in 31 overs.
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In reply, Zimbabwe knocked off the required target, losing seven wickets in 39 overs to record a memorable win.
Australia had a nightmarish start, being reduced to 72/5 after only 18 overs. Put in to bat first, Zimbabwe’s bowlers exploited the conditions against the Aussie batters.
Burl wiped out the Australian tail including Mitchell Starc (2) and Josh Hazlewood (0) as Australia were bundled for 141. Burl finished with figures of 5/10.
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Zimbabwe got off to a good start, with Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Tadiwanashe Marumani giving them a 38-run opening stand. But after Kaitano was dismissed on 19 by Hazlewood, the visitors struggled for a while.
Hazlewood sent Wessly Madhevere (2) and Sean Williams packing on back-to-back deliveries to increase the pressure in the Zimbabwe camp.
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Sikandar Raza (8) could also not get going and Marumani’s dismissal for 35 by Green had the visitors reeling at 77/5. But a crucial partnership of 38 between skipper Regis Chakabva and Tony Munyonga reduced the pressure. Zimbabwe were 115, when Ashton Agar bowled Munyonga for 17, with the visitors requiring 17 more to win. Chakabva, joined by Burl, then guided Zimbabwe to a famous win. Chakabva made 37 not out while Burl scored 11.
Another landmark was Starc claiming his 200th ODI wicket after dismissing Burl.
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It was Zimbabwe’s third win against Australia in 33 matches and their first victory since 2014, which they claimed in Harare. Their biggest achievement with this result is that they defeated Australia in Australia for the first time in their ODI history.
