Australia have suffered a shambolic defeat at the hands of cricket minnows Zimbabwe in front of a rocking crowd at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
The No.10-ranked African nation exposed Australia for their poor batting, lack of spin options, mistakes in the field and a worrying injury to Michael Clarke, in a fairy tale three-wicket triumph.
It’s just Zimbabwe’s second ever win against Australia in ODI cricket – the last time it happened was at the 1983 World Cup.
When No.9 batsman Prosper Utseya brought up the winning runs with a towering six with 12 balls remaining, teammates flooded the pitch in celebration.
The embarrassing result for the world No.1 Australians means they aren’t yet assured of qualifying for Saturday’s tri-series final against South Africa.
Only three Australian batsmen made it past 20, with Clarke’s courageous 68 not out on one leg about all that held the total of 9-209 together – a record low score against battlers Zimbabwe.
After bucking the trend so far this tri-series and electing to bat first, Australia couldn’t cope with Zimbabwe’s spin battalion who combined to take 6-117 from 36 overs on a raging turner.
In response, Australia were under-equipped for the conditions, with not enough support for Nathan Lyon (4-44 from 10) in the spin department.
Zimbabwean captain Elton Chigumbura’s unbeaten 52 led his team to one of their greatest wins.
