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Australia defeat Holland

Tuesday, February 25 2003

After being donated four points from the England match that never was, Zimbabwe were left in a position where only one victory over a major nation was required to book a place in the Super 6 stage. Australia were never likely to be that nation.

Overwhelming favourites following the indifferent form of nearest rivals South Africa, Australia have been ruthlessly disposing of everyone in their paths and this match was not expected to be any different.

Zimbabwe got that bit of luck one always felt they needed when they won the toss and had the luxury of first use of a lifeless pitch.

Cue Jason Gillespie, cheif destroyer of India last week, the result - Guy Whittall out early. Craig Wishart, scorer of a magnificent career best hundred against Namibia what seems like an eternity ago, was next to fall. Gillespie again the bowler, though he could take little credit, Wishart bottom edging an attempted pull stroke to deflect a short ball onto his stumps.

So the Flower brothers came together at 28-2 and promptly set about building a solid partnership. Grant in particular looked scratchy as they ground out runs against a stingy bowling attack, although it must be said Andy looked better then previously in the tournament.

Andy went to 50 and the 100 came up. After seeing off the stickiest part, Grant begun to look more fluent but it was then the breakthrough came. As always Australia were quick to wipe out any threat, a mix up was all that was needed and the partnership ended at 84.

Much has been spoken about an Australian wrist spinner in recent days, but it was the other one, Brad Hogg who took over now. A quicker one dealt with Andy Flower for a fine 62, and the wheels fell off.

Dion Ebrahim gave up when stranded half way down the pitch, only for Damien Martyn to miss the stumps from 2 yards. He could have walked it and still completed the run out, though Ebrahim failed to take advantage of his good fortune, bowled round his legs for 15 trying a sweep at Hogg.

Marillier put his first ball straight into the hands of midwicket and it was 142-6. There seemed no way back, until Zimbabwe changed the approach. Andy Blignaut landed some powerful blows, taking 17 off a Gillespie over that leaked 18 in total and follwing it up with a 6,4,6 combo off Hogg.

A 25 ball 50 was the result, the second fastest for Zimbabwe. When he chipped a full toss back to Lee when 54 Zimbabwe were back in the hunt after a 66 run, 45 ball partnership.

Tatenda Taibu was content to hang around at the non strikers end so captain Heath Streak instead took up the challenge. A straight six over long off off Brett Lee was the highlight as Streak finished with 28* (19 balls). McGrath had both Taibu (who contributed a vital 23) and Murphy clean bowled in the final over but the damage was done and Zimbabwe had fought and battled their way to 246-9.

For once Australia had a game on their hands and probably were relieved to have picked their strongest side for this outing.

Early wickets would be the key, but Zimbabwe missed a vital chance to have Gilchrist, who'd raced to 13, dropped at third man in the second over. What a difference that might have made.

Gilchrist reached 23 before Hayden, the world's number one batsman in both forms, even got off the mark. He scored 39 of the first 50, which took just 49 balls. The match was slipping away and a caught behind decision turned down by umpire Bowden could have given Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope, but the confident appeal was rejected.

Gilchrist went to 50 and was dropped by Marillier off a difficult return catch, but Zimbabwean heads didn't drop with it. Hayden was caught well by Grant Flower at fine leg after an extravagant flick.

Gilchrist was finally caught by substitute Sean Ervine at deep mid wicket off Marillier, by which time he had made 61 and put the result almost beyond doubt.

Ricky Ponting and Martyn kept the scoreboard ticking over at four an over before the Australian captain drove a simple chance back to Brian Murphy, who made no mistake. He departed for an unspectacular 38, but Martyn stayed until the end. He anchored the innings on his way to a patient yet chanceless 50 not out, and Darren Lehmann cleaned up at the other end, striking six boundaries, including a near maximum to finish, in his 56* from 48 balls.

Marillier, who replaced the injured Grant Flower in the bowling, helped build some pressure with a spell of 1-32 but in the end never looked in very much trouble at all.

Zimbabwe couldn't stop the juggernaut that is a post-Waugh Australia, so now India and England get a shot, though the top side in world cricket have now almost certainly assured themselves an extended stay in the rainbow nation and will take some beating. For the co-hosts it is a different matter - only victory over both Holland and Pakistan will give them hope, though on the evidence of this bravely battled performance it is not impossible.

- After the match it was revealed Andy Flower was set to be dropped, only for a player revolt (three players warning coach Geoff Marsh they would not play if he was left out) to see the selectors back down.

These reports were unconfirmed however, with an anonymous member of the selection panel claiming the allegations were false and Flower was always going to play.

Henry Olonga, joined Andy Flower in making a statement mourning the "death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe" before the team's opening Group A match against Namibia on February 10. The pair also wore black armbands.

Reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by the ZCU for bringing the game into disrepute, they escaped censure but were asked not to wear the armbands again.

They duly appeared against India last week wearing black wristbands. Olonga was dropped to 12th man for that match.

On Monday, Flower played against Australia with white wristbands. Olonga, sacked last week by his Harare club over the protest, was not selected.

Flower batted but did not field against Australia. Zimbabwean team management said Flower had a groin strain.

Posted by Barrie