Zimbabwe scripted history on Saturday after they defeated Australia in the third and final ODI of the three-match series to mark their first-ever win on Australian soil.
Chasing a paltry target of 142, Zimbabwe lost seven wickets but eventually managed to register a memorable victory. Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off 47) and captain Regis Chakabva (37 not out) made valuable contributions to Zimbabwe’s successful chase.
Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets for 30 runs in his quota of 10 overs, including a couple of maidens, but he couldn’t stop the tourists from gunning down the target.
Earlier, David Warner smashed a brilliant 96-ball 94, but it turned out to be a one-person show as the rest of the Aussie batting unit only managed to score 47 runs before getting bundled out for a mere 141 in 31 overs.
Ryan Burl was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe, bagging a sensational five-wicket haul while conceding only 10 runs in three overs. Burl dismissed the likes of Warner, Glenn Maxwell (19), Ashton Agar (0), Mitchell Starc (2), and Hazlewood (0) to complete his five-fer. Apart from Burl, Brad Evans picked up a couple of scalps for 35 runs in six overs, including a maiden.
“It’s massively important (this win for Zimbabwe). Wasn’t able to get the team across the line but will take those runs. Will take this win and the confidence from here. To come back here later for the World Cup over here, it’ll give us lot of confidence,” said Burl after the match.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Wow! Feels good when an underdog does well.
Zimbabwe beating a full strength Australian side in Australia. Not that anywhere else would have been lesser, but at home beating Australia has to be
One of the biggest upsets in history of ODI cricket. Well done Zimbabwe. #AusVsZim pic.twitter.com/PeYDBUpi65— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 3, 2022
#3rdODI | Historic! 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe beat 🇦🇺 Australia by 3 wickets to record their first win over Australia on Australian soil!
Australia however take the series 2⃣-1⃣ #AUSvZIM | #VisitZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/u5KA7Zlp10
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) September 3, 2022
Historic win for Zimbabwe
Their first ever ODI victory against the hosts in Australia #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/Z6gfI0dwSS
— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2022
A moment I’ll cherish forever! https://t.co/de4He3uvP0
— Ryan Burl (@ryanburl3) September 3, 2022
A happy Zimbabwean team just makes world cricket a happier place #AusvZim
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) September 3, 2022
Well played Zimbabwe #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/oDDG72D9pH
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 3, 2022
The moment Zimbabwe made history! #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/NfGA9zxT4W
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 3, 2022
Zimbabwe cricket in last 45 days
Qualified for T20 World Cup
ODI Series win vs Bangladesh after 9 years
T20 series win v Bangladesh
Lost to India in an ODI by just 13 runs
First ever ODI win over Australia in Australia#Cricket#AUSvZIM#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/lGY3NJpL3A
— Arnav Singh (@Arnavv43) September 3, 2022
Australia’s lowest ODI team totals against Zimbabwe:
141 – Townsville, 2022
209/9 – Harare, 2014
225/8 – Sydney, 2004
235/9 – Chennai, 1987#AUSvZIM— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) September 3, 2022
Superb win for Zimbabwe. They deserve to play Tests in Australia. A reminder that they aren’t scheduled to play against Aus/Ind/Eng in the 2023-27 FTP #AUSvZIM
— Tristan Lavalette (@trislavalette) September 3, 2022
Fastest to 200 ODI wickets by balls bowled:
5240 – Mitchell Starc🇦🇺
5457 – Saqlain Mushtaq🇵🇰
5640 – Brett Lee🇦🇺Starc becomes the fastest to 200 wickets by innings as well as balls bowled.#AUSvZIM
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 3, 2022
By triumphing in Townsville, Zimbabwe have recorded ODI wins over Aust in each of their past two encounters outside World Cups. Eight years apart.
In the same period, Aust have played India 58 times across formats and England 53 times #AUSvZIM
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) September 3, 2022
