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AUS beat ZIM by 5 wickets | Zimbabwe vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 6th T20 Match - Commentary
T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, 2018
Date: Jul 06, 2018 Start Time: 13:30 IST | 08:00 GMT | 10:00 LocalVenue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
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Zimbabwe vs Australia Highlights And Cricket Score 6th Match - T20 Commentary
Meanwhile, Solomon Mire has a quick chat. He says that the ball didn't come on to the bat. Reckons that this total will now have to be enough. Adds that they will have to do well with the ball now to defend the score. Opines that it is important for them to see how the Aussie batters start off and bowl accordingly. He now rushes in to get ready for the defense. See you shortly.
Australia will be quite pleased with themselves on the whole. The runs were clogged, wickets kept coming at the right time but the only thing that didn't work for them was the fact that many catches weren't going to hand. Barring Stoinis, who was expensive, almost everyone else did their part. Tye took 3, Richardson and Stanlake bagged 2 while Wildermuth had 1. The chase is one Australia will back themselves to accomplish, but the wicket is on the slower side and an early wicket, that too of Finch, could make things interesting.
Zimbabwe have a decent total on the board. Once again, it's come largely on the back of a Solomon Mire fifty. The innings didn't start off well for the hosts who elected to bat. They lost 3 wickets inside the Powerplay and looked to be in trouble. Though, Moor join in with Mire and steadied things a bit with their 68-run stand. Runs were coming a bit slow, but Waller's lusty blows towards the end saw Zimbabwe cross 150.
Jack Wildermuth to Wellington Masakadza. OUT! That's a good catch. A very good catch. Wellington swings across the line to clear the infield over the leg side. Gets a big top edge which skies just over mid off. Stoinis chases back, the ball is coming over his shoulders but he still does well to keep his eyes on it and take it with a slide. ZIMBABWE FINISH ON 151/9!
Jack Wildermuth to Brandon Mavuta. Drives it through to long off and changes ends.
Jack Wildermuth to Wellington Masakadza. Wide outside off, Wellington decides to reach out for it and dabs it to point for a run.
Jack Wildermuth to Wellington Masakadza. A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Jack Wildermuth to Brandon Mavuta. Almost a yorker outside off, squeezed square to point for a run.
Jack Wildermuth to Brandon Mavuta. FOUR! Good shot. Full and outside off, Mavuta drives it square through point and finds the fence. Good start to the over.
Wellington Masakadza is the next batsman in. Jack Wildermuth to bowl the final over.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. OUT! Bowled 'em! Knocks the stumps right out! Full and straight from Andrew Tye, Mire swings and misses. The pace wasn't as much as he expected, so the ball sneaks through and disturbs the furniture. He will be disappointed he couldn't see it through, he did all the hard work to dig in. Unfortunate. Anyway, with this wicket, Tye has his 50th wicket in T20s in 2018.
Brandon Mavuta is the next to bat.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. OUT! Length delivery from Tye, Mire drives this to long off and both batsmen take off. He always wanted two and Tiripano responds. Meanwhile, Agar gets to the ball and fires a wide throw to Tye, who takes it and flicks the ball onto the stumps. Tiripano, for some reason known to him, doesn't dive and drags his bat in. It's taken upstairs and replays show he's gone. Diamond Duck for Donald.
A run out appeal against Tiripano is taken upstairs. Could be gone...
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot.
Donald Tiripano is next in.
Andrew Tye to Malcolm Waller. OUT! Just ahead of a length, on middle and leg, Waller flicks it with power aerially through backward square leg. A flat hit, maybe timed a bit too well as it flies straight towards Richardson who takes it well. Nice little cameo from Waller, he'd have liked to finish the innings off though.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. On the pads, it's worked fine down the leg side for one.
Andrew Tye to Malcolm Waller. Knocks it down the ground to long off for a run.
Jhye Richardson to Malcolm Waller. Leans ahead to this fuller ball and drives it through covers for one run. 13 off the over.
Jhye Richardson to Malcolm Waller. FOUR! Handy runs these for Zimbabwe. Malcolm Waller doing his bit here. On a good length and just outside off, Waller steers it through point, beating Maddinson out in the deep who fails with the dive.
Jhye Richardson to Malcolm Waller. SIX! That is a terrific cricket shot. The timing was pure. Length ball, Malcolm Waller makes room and frees his arms. Slams it over the cover fence and that's a maximum. Awesome.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. Sloppy all around. Outside off on a fullish length, Mire moves across to paddle it, goes off the inner edge towards Carey who can't collect it cleanly. Single taken.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. In the channel outside off, Mire tries to play at it but misses.
Jhye Richardson to Malcolm Waller. Dabs this away square to point and gets to the other end.
Jhye Richardson is back into the bowling attack.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. SIX! Swings and swings hard! This is a top, top shot from Solomon Mire. Nails it to perfection. A little too straight in line, Mire pulls this over the square leg boundary for a maximum.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. FOUR! Edged and away! Third man is inside the ring, a thick enough edge and that's always going. Length delivery around off, Mire swings and sends it flying to the third man fence for a boundary.
Malcolm Waller to bat next.
Andrew Tye to Elton Chigumbura. OUT! Elton is out of here. In the earlier game where Zimbabwe faced Australia, he got out in similar fashion. Pulled and got a top edge, holed out to long on. Now, holes out at deep square leg. Back of a length, Chigumbura brings out the pull shot, gets a top edge and hands a relatively easy catch to Richardson who comes running in from the deep to take it.
Andrew Tye to Elton Chigumbura. On a good length and around off, kept out off the back foot.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Consecutive fifties for Solomon Mire. Superb. Man is in top form. Only shining light for Zimbabwe in this series. He stands tall and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. The hosts will need him to stay till the end and put a decent score on the board.
Andrew Tye to Elton Chigumbura. Chigumbura leans ahead and comfortably works it through the vacant spaces in the mid-wicket area for one.
Andrew Tye comes back on.
Jhye Richardson to Elton Chigumbura. Driven to long on for a single.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. The batsman has played it to the point region. They pick up a single.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. Darted way outside off, Mire reaches out for it but misses.
Elton Chigumbura is the new man in.
Jhye Richardson to Peter Moor. OUT! Did not think this would happen today, but a catch has been taken. Unbelievable. Fuller and around off, Moor looks to clear the point fence. Unfortunately for him though he hits it too flat and Maddinson out in the deep takes it with ease. A good cameo from PJ Moor and the 68-run stand with Solomon Mire come to an end.
Jhye Richardson to Peter Moor. On a length outside off, Moor backs away to cut but misses.
Jhye Richardson to Peter Moor. Wide! Length ball well outside off, across the tramline and that's a wide.
Jhye Richardson to Peter Moor. The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.
Jhye Richardson to bowl again.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. SIX! Right out of the screws! Shot. Agar follows Mire who's backing away, but it doesn't matter to the batsman as he puts this away with a lot of power. Slogs it over mid-wicket and that's a biggie.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. FOUR! This is clever batting. Agar darts it in full, Mire knows third man is inside the ring. So he brings out the reverse sweep and lofts it over the fielder's head for a boundary.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Fullish on the leg stump line, Moor gets low to sweep but takes it on the pads. It falls on the leg side and a leg bye is taken.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. Landed just behind a length, on the stumps, takes some extra bounce too as Mire gets beaten.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Another top edge? Will this go to hand? And the answer is.... No. It falls in no man's land. Moor swings across the line and it skies towards long on. Agar runs towards it, the fielder from the deep comes in to try and take it, but neither reach it in time. One run taken.
Ashton Agar back into the attack.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. Dot ball to end the over, but 19 runs have come from it. A big one for the home side. Mire comes forward and blocks it out safely.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. FOUR! Mire shows he's got some shot in his arsenal as well. Fuller and slower from Stoinis, Mire moves across a bit and paddle scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. This one is played towards point and a single is taken. The 50-run stand is up as well. Good association, but they need to up the ante now.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. FOUR! In a streaky manner this time, but runs are welcome all the same. 14 off the first 3 balls. Turning out to be an expensive over, this. Short ball, Moor pulls and gets a top edge over Alex Carey's leaping hand. Boundary!
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. FOUR! Superb. PJ Moor is getting some rhythm going now. He makes a little room and with an angled bat, steers it behind point. Richardson from third man tries to stop it by covering a lot of ground to his right, but even the dive doesn't work.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. SIX! That's gone a long way! A boundary has resulted after a long while. Length ball on middle and off, Peter Moor stands firm and swings across the line. Clears wide long on with ease, had so much power behind it. Superb hit.
Marcus Stoinis returns to the attack.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Outside off, a play and a miss from the batsman.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They manage to come back for the second.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Fuller in length, Solomon flicks it through the gap in the mid-wicket area and takes two.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Full in length and just outside off, driven to mid off. Dot ball.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Another occasion where the ball is high up in the air, but nobody's come under it. Good effort from Maxwell though to even get close to this one. Mire swings his bat hard to this full ball and lofts it over cover-point. Maxwell from point charges to the ball, dives full stretch but just can't get his hands to it. A couple of runs are taken.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Wide! Banged in short but it's too short. The umpire raises his arms sideways and signals wide.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Slower and a touch fuller on the stumps, Mire works this away towards mid-wicket. Runs the first one hard and as a result, is able to come back for the second.
Andrew Tye called back on to bowl.
Billy Stanlake to Peter Moor. Length delivery in the off stump channel, cut hard but straight to the man at point.
Billy Stanlake to Peter Moor. Fires in a yorker on off stump, Moor does well to bring his bat down in time and jam it out. Had a bit of reverse on it too it seems.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. Connects with the cut this time, through point for a single.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. On the shorter side once again, moving away from around off, Mire has a wild slash at it but is unable to make any kind of connection.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. Short ball, quite accurate from Billy, Mire leaves it alone.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. Back of a length, just outside off, Mire with an opened bat face tries running it down to third man, but gets beaten.
Billy Stanlake back on.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. In the air again, but it's fallen short! Back of a length on off, Mire stays back and pulls. Gets a big top edge which falls safely in the mid-wicket region. One run to the total.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. Run out chance missed! He connects and Mire's gone. The opener should feel lucky. Moor rises and taps it just wide of Maxwell at point. He moves to his left, collects the ball and has a shy at the striker's end seeing the batsmen take off. Mire had given up, all that was needed was a direct hit.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. Bumper from Stoinis, outside off, Moor has nothing to do with it. It's a bit too high and that will be a wide.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. Pushes this gently towards mid off. Another dot ball.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. Short of a good length on the stumps, defended off the back foot with a straight bat down the track.
Marcus Stoinis to Peter Moor. On a good length again, around off, Moor attempts to poke at it, only to get beaten.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. Length delivery quite close to off, Mire steers it down to third man with an open face for a single.
Marcus Stoinis comes back on to bowl.
Jack Wildermuth to Solomon Mire. On a length in line of the stumps, Mire looks to heave it away. Badly mistimes it and it goes on a couple of bounces towards long on. A run is taken. Just 21 runs after the Powerplay without losing a wicket, Zimbabwe stand at 65/3 at the halfway mark in this innings.
Jack Wildermuth to Peter Moor. Outside off on a length, punched away through covers for one.
Jack Wildermuth to Peter Moor. Moor hangs his bat at that but gets beaten.
Jack Wildermuth to Solomon Mire. Flicked away in front of square on the on side for a single.
Jack Wildermuth to Peter Moor. Length outside off, a bit on the shorter side. Moor stands tall and glides it past a diving Maxwell at backward point. Jhye Richardson races to his right from third man and does well to keep the ball in play with a dive. Nic Maddinson, who has got to his left from sweeper cover does the rest. It is taken upstairs and a couple of looks later, it is revealed that a run is saved indeed by the Aussie pacer.
Jack Wildermuth to Solomon Mire. Decent beginning from Jack. Lands it on a length around off, Mire lets it come to him. Pats it through cover-point and gets to the other end.
Jack Wildermuth to bowl for the first time in international cricket.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Floated full around off, pushed back towards the bowler.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. More flight on this one, smashed aerially down to long on for a single.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Eased down to long on for a single.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Aerial but safe! Moor looks to go big over the off side but ends up skying it. Tye runs to his right from deep covers but fails to reach the ball in time. It seemed that he was a bit lazy in moving. A couple of runs result.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Flighted up around off, defended just nearby to the on side.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. Tossed up in line of the stumps, smashed right back. The ball deflects off Moor's shoes and goes down to long on. A run taken and then, an apology follows from Solomon.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Another slower ball outside off, glided towards third man for one to retain strike.
Andrew Tye to Peter Moor. Length ball on the pads, worked away through backward square leg. Moor wanted a second but was denied by Mire. Stanlake meanwhile, missed collecting the ball on the first go but no extra run results.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Another slower length ball around off. Mire gets squared up but the ball takes the outside edge and rolls towards third man for one.
Andrew Tye to Solomon Mire. Slower ball on a length outside off, Mire gets beaten due to the lack of pace.
Andrew Tye to Peter Moor. Hurled outside off, punched towards sweeper cover for a single.
Andrew Tye to Peter Moor. Full and in line of the stumps, driven down the ground. Tye bends low and stops it in his followthrough.
Andrew Tye to have a bowl now.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Slower through the air around middle, worked away through mid-wicket for one.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Good running. Moor tucks it through backward square leg and wants two. Perhaps Mire was ball-watching and hence the fielder fires a throw at the bowler's end. He makes it in though.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. Tossed up outside off, driven through covers for a single.
Ashton Agar to Solomon Mire. Flatter on the stumps, punched back towards the bowler.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. This one is pushed down the ground towards long on for one.
Ashton Agar to Peter Moor. Tossed up around off, pushed defensively towards covers.
Spin time! Ashton Agar has the ball in his hand now.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. A huge appeal for caught behind! Nothing doing. Mire gets beaten on the outside and the ball wasn't too far from the outside edge. Zimbabwe are 44/3 at the end of the Powerplay.
Peter Moor makes his way at number 5 for the hosts.
Billy Stanlake to Tarisai Musakanda. OUT! Majestic the previous ball, miserable the next! This is a length ball around off. Musakanda looks to heave it over the off side. But the ball takes the outer/top edge and flies towards third man. This time, the debutant Jack Wildermuth gets forward and low and takes a good catch. Had his hands well below the ball there. The umpire wanted to have a look at the front foot and Billy's fine there. Zimbabwe slide further.
Gone? Seems to be the end of Musakanda's stay in the middle. The umpire wants to check Stanlake's front foot.
Billy Stanlake to Tarisai Musakanda. SIX! Whatta shot! Full and in line of the stumps, Musakanda executes a lovely loft over long on. Goes the distance. A semblance of the great Sachin Tendulkar in that, is the discussion around here.
Billy Stanlake to Tarisai Musakanda. Hurled outside off, TM has a feel for it but misses.
Billy Stanlake to Tarisai Musakanda. FOUR! Smashed! Length ball outside off, Musakanda stands tall and slaps it powerfully through cover-point for a boundary.
Billy Stanlake to Tarisai Musakanda. Outside off, pushed towards point.
Billy Stanlake gets a change of ends.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. FOUR! Clever. Fast ball just outside off, Mire opens the bat face and guides it to the third man fence.
Marcus Stoinis to Tarisai Musakanda. Defended off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. This one is guided towards third man for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. Ball passes right through the gap between the bat and body of the batsman.
Marcus Stoinis to Tarisai Musakanda. Tap and run. Musakanda pats it towards covers and rotates strike to get going.
Marcus Stoinis to Solomon Mire. Stoinis starts with a fuller length outside off, Mire guides it to third man for one.
Marcus Stoinis is brought into the attack.
Jhye Richardson to Tarisai Musakanda. Another play and a miss! TM looks to heave it to the on side but misses the ball completely.
Jhye Richardson to Tarisai Musakanda. Outside off, slapped towards point from the crease.
Jhye Richardson to Tarisai Musakanda. Outside off, Tarisai hangs his bat at that but gets beaten.
Jhye Richardson to Tarisai Musakanda. FOUR WIDES! Banged short, Musakanda ducks under that. Carey leaps high yet the ball evades him and goes to the fence behind.
Tarisai Musakanda walks in next for Zimbabwe at no. 4.
Jhye Richardson to Hamilton Masakadza. OUT! Got him! Revenge extracted by Richardson! He lands it on a length outside off, it bounces a bit more. Masakadza goes for the punch off the back foot without moving his feet. Next thing, the inside edge of the blade is taken and the stumps are shattered. End of the skipper's sojourn in the middle.
Jhye Richardson to Hamilton Masakadza. SIX! Bazooka! Full and outside off, Masakadza gets low and executes the scoop over short fine leg. The connection is such that it goes the distance. A Martin Guptill-esque shot.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. Short in length, Mire mistimes the pull. The ball lands in the vacant mid-wicket area and a run results.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. On a length outside off, Mire lets it come on and glides it to third man to retain strike. 10 runs off the over.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. FOUR! Classic shot. Fuller in length around off and middle, Mire stands tall and smashes it well over the bowler's head. It goes for a one-bounce boundary.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. Around off on a length, defended towards point. Maxwell gets to his right and does the rest.
Billy Stanlake to Solomon Mire. Jaffa! On a length in line of the stumps, Mire has a feel for it. The ball holds its line and goes just over the stumps. Beaten on the outside edge.
Billy Stanlake to Hamilton Masakadza. Another short ball, pulled away in front of square on the leg side for one.
Billy Stanlake to Hamilton Masakadza. FOUR! First boundary for Zimbabwe and Hamilton! Wow shot, exclaims my colleague! Length ball on a shorter side around off, Masakadza hangs back and executes the pull. Gets it well over mid-wicket and gets the desired result. Perhaps the length wasn't too different from the one he was dropped (on 1.3). The difference could be attributed to the fact that on this occasion, he had his eyes on the ball and didn't play a loose shot.
Jhye Richardson to Hamilton Masakadza. On a length outside off, cut away through point for one.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. Length ball on the pads, worked away towards square leg for a single.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. Outside off, punched towards covers.
Jhye Richardson to Hamilton Masakadza. DROPPED! Is this the beginning of a charmed life for Masakadza? This is on a length around off, Hamilton goes for a mighty heave across the line. However, the ball takes the top edge and goes straight up, in the direction of third man. The newbie, Jack Wildermuth, runs in from that position. Gets to the ball but fails to hang on. He falls forward and so does the ball. He tried to catch it with a reverse cup, which is so ill-advised with the position was in. Had he attempted it in the normal way, he well could have pouched it. The batters cross in the interim.
Jhye Richardson to Hamilton Masakadza. In line of the stumps on a length, Masakadza blocks it from the crease.
Jhye Richardson to Solomon Mire. Zimbabwe and Mire are off the mark! This is played to the on side for a single.
Jhye Richardson will run in with the new ball from the other end. One slip in place.
Billy Stanlake to Hamilton Masakadza. Outside off on a length, punched straight to covers off the back foot. A maiden wicket over for the Aussies to start. Wow!
Billy Stanlake to Hamilton Masakadza. This full ball is driven straight to the fielder at mid on.
Billy Stanlake to Hamilton Masakadza. Full and outside off, inviting the drive. Masakadza obliges but gets beaten.
Billy Stanlake to Hamilton Masakadza. Length ball, straighter in line this time. Hamilton looks to defend but misses and gets hit high on the thigh pad.
Billy Stanlake to Hamilton Masakadza. Well outside off on a fuller length. Masakadza lets it be.
Hamilton Masakadza, the skipper, makes his way out to the middle in the second ball of the innings.
Billy Stanlake to Cephas Zhuwao. OUT! Gone first ball! What a start for Australia! The lanky seamer runs in from over the wicket and lets out a gentle full delivery well outside off. Zhuwao just presents a loose bat outside off, perhaps aiming to push it through covers. The feet go nowhere, as if they are glued to the pitch inside the crease. The ball takes the outside edge and lands in the safe gloves of Alex Carey behind. Poor beginning for the hosts would be an understatement.
It's time to get going! Alastair Campbell opined that the conditions are 'Arctic'! Says how cold it is out there. Cephas Zhuwao and Solomon Mire stride out with their willows. The latter's last innings resulted in him becoming the highest individual scorer for Zimbabwe in T20Is. Billy Stanlake will have a go first up with the new ball. A slip in place.
Aaron Finch, the Australian captain, says that they don't mind chasing. Opines that the wicket should aid spin. States that their intensity seemed low in the previous game and hence, the result didn't go their way. Ends saying that the talented all-rounder Jack Wildermuth comes in the side in place of D'Arcy Short.
Hamilton Masakadza, the Zimbabwe skipper, reasons that the drier wicket played a role in the decision. States that their previous outing was a big improvement and hence they would look to improve on that. Says that a couple of guys in Donald Tiripano and Brandon Mavuta (debut) have been given a run.
PITCH REPORT - Dirk Viljoen inspects the 22 yards that matter. He says that it's very cold today and there's a chill breeze blowing. Looks at the pitch and says that it has lesser grass than the last game. Adds that it has got a bit drier. Observes a couple of cracks and states that they aren't too important. Ends saying that the captain winning the toss should bowl first.
TOSS - Hamilton Masakadza calls it right, ZIMBABWE WILL BAT FIRST. Justin Langer presents the maiden cap to JACK WILDERMUTH, who's making his international debut for Australia.
Australia couldn't do much right on their limited overs tour to England. Here, they've managed to turn tables with authoritative performances, with the loss against Pakistan last game being the sole blemish. However, not all's hunky-dory for them. The form of D'Arcy Short is a dark spot and it will be interesting to see if he's persisted with. Well, if your memories are good, you'd remember what happened in the last ZIM-AUS clash. (Pat yourselves on the back if Aaron Finch came to your minds). The coin will go up in a few moments, don't you go anywhere!
Watching Zimbabwe in this series, one cannot help but become blase about their repeated spineless performances. Not that they have degraded greatly in this series, but they have completely lacked the competing spark, which was on display till recently. Here they are, yet again. One last time at home in this series, they lock horns with Australia in this penultimate clash of the tri-series featuring Pakistan. We are glad to extend you a warm welcome for our coverage of the game, to be played in Harare.
That's it from this contest. Zimbabwe fought hard and gave Australia a run for their money, but the visiting side pulled together and found a way across the line. So, all that's left is the final, which will take place on Sunday, 8th July, at 1000 local (0800 GMT). Australia and Pakistan will battle it out to decide who will be the winner of this tournament. Join in for all the action. See you then!
Aaron Finch, the winning skipper, states that Zimbabwe bowled well towards the end, before iterating that they did make a heavy weather of the chase. Says it is important to spend some time in the middle in a match situation, than just practice. Lauds the efforts on the field by his team, although they dropped a catch early on. Ends saying that some polishing is required in each of the facet of the game for them and they'll be good to go in the final.
Andrew Tye is the Man of the Match for his three-fer. The pacer says that he was always working on picking up wickets and hence, feels good that it has paid off. Is happy to have another win under their belt, before wishfully stating that they would love to have another on Sunday. Reckons that his method is to look at the areas and the ways the batters hit and strategise and bowl accordingly. Ends saying that although they have had their own share of troubles, hopefully they're saving their best for the last.
The losing captain, Hamilton Masakadza, says that the wicket played slower than they expected. Credits that 68-run stand between Solomon Mire and Peter Moor for putting up a decent score. States that Mire did well for them in this series which is a positive. Reckons that they are up for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, hoping to get something in the 'W' column.
There was an unexpected twist, however, in the tale. Maxwell departed and then Head followed towards the end after Maddinson. It went right down to the wire, with the game going into the last over. Tiripano almost pulled it off, but some calm magic from Stoinis saw Australia over the line. Three wickets for Muzarabani and one apiece for Wellington and Tiripano, but it just wasn't enough. The presentation is coming up shortly...
A nail-biting affair won by Australia eventually. Credit to Zimbabwe though, it took a lot to take this game so close and was no easy feat. The chase began with the Kangaroos losing Finch and Carey early. But the Maxwell-Head century stand shored things up and it seemed like the game was more or less over, with Maxwell scoring a fifty and Head looking solid.
Donald Tiripano to Marcus Stoinis. FOUR! And Marcus Stoinis finishes it off in style. Full toss on the stumps, Stoinis loves this as he slogs it over mid-wicket. One bounce across the rope and that's the end of the game. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 5 WICKETS!
Donald Tiripano to Ashton Agar. Not out! Agar is safe! Good effort though from the Zimbabwe skipper. Agar slaps this fullish ball to mid off and takes off. Hamilton fumbles on the first attempt, which allows Ashton enough time to get in. He then scores a direct hit at the bowler's end and it's taken upstairs, but the replays show that the southpaw is well in. That fumble was more than enough for him.
Direct hit! A run out appeal against Ashton Agar is referred upstairs.
Donald Tiripano to Marcus Stoinis. Just the one. 3 off 3 now. Slower bouncer in line of the stumps, Stoinis pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Donald Tiripano to Ashton Agar. Low full toss just outside off, Agar gets an inside edge onto his pads as he looks to hit it away. Quick run stolen as the ball rolls away on the off side.
Donald Tiripano to Ashton Agar. Another wide? Surely no! No, it isn't. The umpire keeps his arms to himself this time. Similar delivery from Tiripano, Agar plays and misses.
Donald Tiripano to Ashton Agar. Wide! The umpire signals wide but Tiripano will feel hard done by that. It went just inside the tramline. Fuller outside off, Agar plays and misses.
Donald Tiripano to Ashton Agar. Wide! False start from Donald. Down the leg side, wide signalled by the umpire.
Blessing Muzarabani to Ashton Agar. Back of a length going across, Agar dabs it to point and keeps strike. 7 off 6 now.
Blessing Muzarabani to Ashton Agar. Poor from Waller. Could have just cost his side the game here. Should have kept it tight. Agar pushes this to extra cover and Stoinis takes off. Seeing this, Waller has a needless shy at the bowler's end and misses. Nobody's backing up, so the batsmen take two runs.
Blessing Muzarabani to Marcus Stoinis. Good effort from Wellington in the deep. Stoinis should consider himself a lucky man. Dropped? Techinically, yes. But we're not going to call it that. Superb effort. Stoinis lofts it high in the air down the ground. Wellington comes across to his left from long on, settles under it, catches it but is going over the rope. He though, in time, parries it back in to save five runs for his side.
Blessing Muzarabani to Marcus Stoinis. An edge now! All happening here now. Length ball around off, Stoinis gets an edge through the vacant slip cordon for a couple.
Ashton Agar in next.
Blessing Muzarabani to Travis Head. OUT! The set batsman is out of here! Travis Head is dismissed two shy of a fifty and Zimbabwe celebrate. An implosion on the cards? Head just needed to keep his calm, instead he goes for the lofted shot down the ground. The slower one from Blessing, which forces the batsman early into the shot. Chips it to Wellington at long on who gobbles it up.
Blessing Muzarabani to Marcus Stoinis. Angling in on a good length, Stoinis closes the face and nudges it through the vacant square leg region for one.
Donald Tiripano to Marcus Stoinis. Slower bumper, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. 14 needed in 12.
Donald Tiripano to Marcus Stoinis. Good running between the wickets. Stoinis pushes this towards mid on and he quickly calls for the second seeing the fielder from the deep slow in getting to it. Both batsmen take off and make it in time too.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Length delivery on middle and leg, clipped towards square leg for a quick run.
Marcus Stoinis makes his way out to bat.
Donald Tiripano to Nic Maddinson. OUT! Zimbabwe have another wicket! Could this be a turning point in the game? Remains to be seen. But this is good bowling from Tiripano. Back of a length, Maddinson looks to loft it over the leg side but is undone by the lack of pace. Chips it towards square leg where Muzarabani moves to his right and takes it after settling under it.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Knocks this fuller length ball just wide of mid off for a run.
Donald Tiripano to Nic Maddinson. Slower ball on a back of a length, Maddinson looks to heave it across the line but is hit on the body. It falls on the off side as the batsmen take off. Tiripano rushes to the ball himself, turns and has a shy at his end, but ends up hitting Nic instead.
Donald Tiripano brought back on.
Blessing Muzarabani to Nic Maddinson. Shaping away on a back of a length, run down to third man for one run. Australia need 20 to win off 18 deliveries.
Blessing Muzarabani to Nic Maddinson. Just ahead of a length, on middle, Maddinson leans across to get behind the line and pushes it to mid on.
Blessing Muzarabani to Travis Head. Length ball on the hips, worked towards square leg for one more.
Blessing Muzarabani to Nic Maddinson. Maddinson is off the mark as he works this away on the leg side for a single.
Nic Maddinson walks out to the middle.
Blessing Muzarabani to Glenn Maxwell. OUT! Straight to the man at extra cover! The Big Show departs after playing an important knock. Extremely full on off stump, Maxwell drives this on the up and straight to Chigumbura positioned there. He would have liked to finish things off, but he's going to have to settle for this and watch his teammates hopefully finish the job.
Blessing Muzarabani to Travis Head. Back of a length delivery, Head swings across the line and gets an inside edge past the leg stump behind for a single.
Blessing Muzarabani returns.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! Hit with disdain! Like his fifty, he brings up the 100-run stand in some style too. Around off, Maxwell throws the kitchen sink at it and thwacks it over long off this time for half a dozen.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. Glenn has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! 4th T20I fifty for Glenn Maxwell! What a way to bring it up too. Full and attacking the stumps, Maxwell has this in his sights and dispatches it with ease. Bangs it over long on to send it deep into the stands.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. Hangs back deep inside the crease and blocks it out safely.
Wellington Masakadza to Travis Head. Catch and stumping chance missed as well! Ryan Murray should have got the job done here. Wellington pushes this quicker through the air around off, Head charges out and nicks it. Murray doesn't collect. Even if he managed to take it on the second attempt it would have been fine, as the stumping chance was there to be had, but the ball goes behind him. Single taken.
Wellington Masakadza will roll his arm over.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Pushed away from the front foot towards mid off.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. The wrong 'un, on middle and off, defended to the right of the bowler with a straight blade.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Works it away with the turn to point.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Shot and outside off, cut through point from the back foot for a double.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Pulled to deep mid-wicket. A loud 'Push on' from Maxwell as he wanted the second, but Head refused.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. WIDE! Maybe the ball slips out of his hands, because Brandon throws this well outside the tramline. The keeper moves to his right and collects it well. Nice take.
Brandon Mavuta called back into the attack.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. Slaps this off the back foot a bit square on the off side for a run.
Malcolm Waller to Travis Head. Head uses his feet to get close to the pitch and gets cramped for room. Jams it out towards short fine leg for a single.
Malcolm Waller to Travis Head. Outside off, played to point for no run.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. Quicker through the air, landed short, it's pulled away through to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! Another one that's outta here! Tossed right up there on leg, Maxwell throws his front leg out of the way and launches it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
Malcolm Waller to Travis Head. Spinning away from around off, Head crouches a bit and cuts it square through point for a run.
Malcolm Waller is back on.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. Works it through mid-wicket for two more and brings the 100 up for Australia. 52 needed off 42 to win.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. Spinning away from around off, a gentle defensive push from the batsman on the off side.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. Drifting in on middle and leg, worked comfortably through mid-wicket for a brace.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. FOUR! That's a fantastic shot. Fast hands from Maxwell. It's quite full, attacking the stumps, he makes room and hammers it over covers. Beats the two men in the deep and finds the fence with ease.
Wellington Masakadza to Travis Head. The batsman gets to the pitch of the ball and connects. They pick up a single.
Wellington Masakadza to Glenn Maxwell. Touch quicker through the air, outside off, Maxwell pushes it away towards point. Single collected.
Wellington Masakadza will bowl now.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Quicker and outside off, patted away to cover-point for one.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Makes use of the feet, comes down the track and wrists it to square leg. One run to the total.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. FOUR! Short in length and spinning back in, Head rocks back and murders the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Pulled away on the leg for a quick one.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Fuller in length and slower outside off, Maxwell looks to bang this over the covers but fails to connect.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Looped up and attacking the stumps, turning in, worked in front of square leg for a single.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. Touch short on the stumps, punched swiftly off the back foot towards wide mid on.
Malcolm Waller to Travis Head. Closes the face and uses the wrists to work this through mid-wicket for a run.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. On the pads, pulled down to fine leg for a double.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! Clean as a whistle from Maxwell! Tossed up, it's in the slot and the Aussie all-rounder has no qualms to put this away. Clears his front leg and smokes it over long on for a maximum. The 50-run stand is up with this as well.
Malcolm Waller to Glenn Maxwell. From around the wicket, it's darted around leg, Maxwell looks to flick but misses and is caught on the pads. Appeal for a leg before, but it's rightly turned down.
Malcolm Waller to have a bowl now.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Flatter on the pads, flicked away through square leg for one. 72/2 at the end of 10, the Aussies, needing 80 more for a win.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. SIX! Didn't look convincing but sails all the way! Tossed up outside off, Maxwell seems to have mistimed it. The ball goes the distance over covers.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. SAFE! Head flicked it through backward square leg and wanted two always. Muzarabani in the deep was slow to get to the ball but fired a quick throw to the keeper, who whipped the bails out and popped the question. At this moment, Head was dragging his bat in. It is taken upstairs. Seems to be very close but the frame in which the bails come off, Head's bat seems to be inside.
Gone? Is Head's time to head back come? There's a run out appeal against him that's taken upstairs. Close.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Dropped short around middle and leg, Head goes back and pulls it just past Masakadza at mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep fumbles before nailing the stumps at the striker's end. Now comes the bad luck part. The ball hits the stumps and goes towards point. Another run is taken on that.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Flatter on the stumps, pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one.
Solomon Mire to Glenn Maxwell. Full and outside off, driven through mid off to retain strike.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. Slower one outside off, pushed towards covers for one.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. Another brace. This time, Head clips it towards fine leg and hares back.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. Now Head walks down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.
The Aussie physio is out in the middle to check on Head. The batter seems good to continue without any treatment or a pill.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. BANG! That's copped Head flush on the helmet. Head misses the pull off the short ball and gets hit on the helmet. The ball then rolls towards point.
Solomon Mire to Glenn Maxwell. The batsman gets a bottom edge of the bat on that one. One run added to the total.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. The googly this time. Head looks to work it to the on side but gets a leading edge towards short third man.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Flatter outside off, Head chop-guides it past short third man for a brace.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Shortish outside off, hit through covers for one. Brings up the 50 for Australia.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Flatter outside off, slapped through cover-point for a quick couple.
Brandon Mavuta to Glenn Maxwell. Tossed up around off, pushed back towards the bowler off the inner half.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. WIDE! This time Head leaves it alone and gets a wide. This was again down the leg side, turning further away. The keeper fails to collect that and a bye results.
Brandon Mavuta to Travis Head. Tossed up outside leg, Head is unsure of which way this ball will turn. Plays at it and gets it towards mid-wicket. Wants a run then and is sent back on time by his partner. Would have been a wide had he let that be.
Debutant Brandon Mavuta to bowl his leg breaks now.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. Short in length, pulled away to fine leg for three runs less than a boundary.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. This one is guided away edgily towards third man for a couple.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. EDGY FOUR! On a length outside off, Head has a tentative push at that. The outside edge is taken and then the ball goes to the third man fence.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. Length ball going away, slapped away through covers for a couple.
Solomon Mire to Travis Head. Swish and a miss! The ball was on a length outside off.
Solomon Mire to Glenn Maxwell. Quick run. Maxwell pushes it with soft hands towards mid off and sets off for the run. Makes it in safely, even as there's a direct hit at the bowler's end.
Solomon Mire to roll his arm over. He had a talk in the mid-innings break about bowling as per how the Aussies play. So far his side has done that, now it's his time to walk the talk. Well... err... run the fun?
Donald Tiripano to Glenn Maxwell. Hurled on the pads, Maxwell misses the flick. The ball goes off the thigh pads towards fine leg. A leg bye taken. Australia end the Powerplay on 35/2 as opposed to Zimbabwe's 44/3.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Full on the stumps, worked away through mid-wicket for one.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. FOUR! Angling across on a length, Head looks to guide it away. The ball goes off the outer half towards third man, beats the dive from Muzarabani and goes past the ropes.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Down the leg side but not a wide. Head shuffles down and across. Tiripano delivers it around leg. Head misses the flick and the ball passes above the stumps. Thus, the wide is not given by the umpire. Hard to see such a bowler-friendly umpire in the sport these days.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. This ball is punched from the crease towards covers.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Full and outside off, square driven to the off side straight to the fielder at point.
Blessing Muzarabani to Glenn Maxwell. Fuller outside off, pushed towards point. Again the fielder there has a wild and unnecessary shy at the bowler's end but misses.
Blessing Muzarabani to Travis Head. Hurled around off, Head looks to defend. The ball takes the inside edge, hits the pads and lies next to the stumps. The Aussies go a for a quick run, even as a fielder has a diving shy at the stumps at the striker's end and misses.
Blessing Muzarabani to Glenn Maxwell. Fuller around middle and leg, flicked away through mid-wicket for one.
Blessing Muzarabani to Glenn Maxwell. WIDE! Sprayed down leg, Maxwell lets it be. Gets a stretch of arms in response from the umpire.
Big Show time! Glenn Maxwell makes his way out to the middle.
Blessing Muzarabani to Alex Carey. OUT! Catching practice for the wicketkeeper. Fuller and angling away, Carey plays a nothing shot. Perhaps he tries to guide it towards third man. All that happens next is that the outside edge is taken and the substitute keeper, Ryan Murray, doesn't miss out taking that. Glee for the hosts, glum for the tourists. 126 off 93 to play with for Zimbabwe.
Blessing Muzarabani to Alex Carey. Hurled on the stumps, worked away through mid-wicket for nothing.
Blessing Muzarabani to Alex Carey. Well done, Musakanda! This is cut fiercely towards backward point where the man dives to his right and stops that.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Full on the pads, flicked away through square leg for a couple.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Travis pushes it defensively from the crease towards backward point.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. On a length in line of the stumps, Head stands tall and defends it from the crease with a straight bat.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. WIDE! Sprayed straight, this goes down leg. Head lets it be and it is wided.
Donald Tiripano to Travis Head. Hurled outside off, pushed away towards point.
Donald Tiripano to Alex Carey. Short in length, heaved away through mid-wicket for one.
Donald Tiripano to Alex Carey. FOUR! What a welcome! Full and outside off, Carey gets his stride out and drives it through the gap between mid off and covers.
Donald Tiripano is the first change for Zimbabwe with the ball.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. Huge appeal, to no avail! Loopy ball around leg, Carey misses the sweep and gets it off his pads to the on side. The batters cross even as the Zimbabweans appeal. No, says the umpire as the ball pitched outside leg. A leg bye it is.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. Tossed up around middle and leg, Carey looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Wellington Masakadza to Travis Head. Head turns this one through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. Short one again, pulled away through mid-wicket for one.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. Slower one around middle and leg, defended from the crease.
The man with the name of a body part as his second name walks out next. Yes, Travis Head!
Wellington Masakadza to Aaron Finch. OUT! Wellington Masakadza strikes! Gets rid of the big fish Aaron Finch quickly. The left arm bowler tossed this one up to Finch, who was backing away. The line was around leg, to deny the batter the advantage of room that he was making. As a result, the Aussie skipper goes back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. Easy peasy for Tarisai Musakanda, who had to move some steps to his left and take it. Joy for the hosts.
Blessing Muzarabani to Alex Carey. In the air but safe! Fuller and in line of the stumps, Carey looks to go downtown. He gets more height than distance. The ball lands well inside the long on ropes. Tiripano gets there from mid on and saves a couple.
Blessing Muzarabani to Aaron Finch. Short in length on the stumps, pulled away through square leg for one.
Blessing Muzarabani to Aaron Finch. WIDE! Sprayed down leg, Finch misses the flick.
Blessing Muzarabani to Alex Carey. Hurled on the pads, tucked away to fine leg for one.
Blessing Muzarabani to Alex Carey. Width on offer, but hit straight to point.
Blessing Muzarabani to Aaron Finch. On a length around middle and leg, Aaron flicks it through mid-wicket for one.
Blessing Muzarabani to Alex Carey. Length ball on the pads, Carey flicks it away round the corner for one.
Blessing Muzarabani to run in from the other end.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. Half-tracker again, pulled away to the on side for one. 8 runs to begin the defense from the hosts.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. FOUR! Improvisation. But is it needed so early? Quicker one around off and middle, Carey gets low and scoops it over the keeper. The ball rolls away to the fence. With the field up, Alex could well try to exploit the regions down the ground and in front of the stumps, rather than such cheeky strokes.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. Loopy this time in line of the stumps, Carey looks to work it away but gets a soft leading edge down the track.
Wellington Masakadza to Aaron Finch. Flatter again, Finch goes back and turns it through mid-wicket to get off nought.
Wellington Masakadza to Alex Carey. Dropped on a shorter length around middle and leg, Carey goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one to get going.
Wellington Masakadza to Aaron Finch. Masakadza begins with a flatter one on the pads. Finch misses the flick. The ball goes off the pads towards fine leg and they run a leg bye..
We are back for the second half. Aaron Finch will open and he has a different partner today. His deputy Alex Carey will stand at the other end. Good move from the Aussies. Wellington Masakadza will take the ball first up. Here we go...