Settle down, Rob (Zim man)

[ellicat]

:ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy:
/>http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-01/zimbabwe-shocks-australia-as-injured-clarke-departs-odi-tour/5709062

Zimbabwe beats Australia by three wickets as injured Michael Clarke leaves ODI tour early.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura has hit a fluent half-century to guide his team of minnows to a shock three-wicket win over Australia in the triangular series in Harare.

Zimbabwe's only previous success against the world's top-ranked 50-over side came in its very first meeting in Nottingham in 1983 and since then it has endured 27 defeats and one abandoned match.

The loss was a disaster from the selection table to the playing field and could have far more serious consequences than plummeting from first to fourth in the world ODI rankings.

After Australia elected to bat on Sunday evening, the tourists were restricted to 9 for 209 in their 50 overs, a target Zimbabwe chased down with two overs to spare.

SCORECARD: ZIM v AUS

Tri-series, 4th ODI

Zimbabwe won by three wickets

in Harare, August 31, 2014

AUS innings: 9 for 209

M Clarke 68*

B Haddin 49

SC Williams 2-21

DT Tiripano 2-34

ZIM innings: 7 for 211

E Chigumbura 52*

BRM Taylor 32

N Lyon 4-44

M Starc 2-41

Chigumbura came to the wicket with his side floundering on 5 for 106 at the halfway point of its innings, and along with number nine Prosper Utseya (30 not out), added 55 in an unbeaten eighth wicket partnership.

The Zimbabwe skipper was unbeaten on 52 from 68 balls and provided the anchor for the win.

Utseya scored the winning runs by belting a six off Mitchell Starc that prompted a field invasion by jubilant fans who had never seen a day like it at the Harare Sports Club.

"I had to be there at the end and the most important thing was to stay calm under pressure," Chigumbura said in a pitchside interview.

"The guys have worked really hard for this and the pleasing thing was that everybody contributed today."

Elton Chigumbura celebrates half ton against Australia Photo: Half-centurion ... Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura. (AFP: Jekesai Njikizana)

Adding to Australia's misery, skipper Michael Clarke had to battle through the pain barrier to score an unbeaten 68 after he suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

Clarke, returning to the side after missing Australia's first two games of the series, retired hurt in the 43rd over as he battled with his hamstring, but returned for the final two balls of the innings to ensure the tourists were not bowled out.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin scored 49 to help the visitors pass 200 as he put on 50 with Clarke before the latter retired hurt, and 51 with number 10 Ben Cutting (26).

The home spinners managed to both contain and pick up wickets, with Sean Williams recording excellent figures of 2 for 21 in his 10 overs, as Australia stuttered to its lowest ever score against Zimbabwe of 9 for 209 in 50 overs.

Utseya finished with 2 for 45 in his 10 overs.

"Credit to them, they deserved their win," Clarke said.

Video: Zimbabwe beats Australia by three wickets . (ABC News)

"The wicket was a bit tacky and although we thought it would take spin, not throughout the whole game.

"They showed us how to play spin, especially at the end of their innings."

Zimbabwe took a patient approach to its reply but looked in trouble as it slipped to 5 for 106 before Chigumbura grafted to get his side home.

Nathan Lyon used the conditions well to record figures of 4 for 44 in 10 overs, with all of the regular bowlers economical in restricting the home batsman.

The fifth match of the series will be on Tuesday when Australia faces South Africa at the same venue. South Africa leads the table with nine points, Australia second on five and Zimbabwe with four.

[samsteele115]

Bit of a surprise to wake up to!

[Zim man]

it was a surprise, guys are all very happy back home, it does not happen too often thats for sure