Australia vs Zimbabwe (Aus vs Zim) ICC World Cup 2011 forth match live was kicked off on 21st February at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad at 9.00 GMT and 14.30 IST.
Updated Score: Australia 262/6 (50 Overs) Shane Watson 79, Michael Clarke 58*
Coming off from their 29 world cup matches wining streak, Australia is sure a favorite for every cricket freak who gaze on the ICC World Cup 2011’s 3rd day match of Australia Vs Zimbabwe staged at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium in Ahmadabad.
But, bring in your analysis prowess and just shuffle their recent performance, we get to know a washed out test followed by a damp squib – losing most prestigious Ashes series. It’s totally disturbing for the team as well as the fans to see Australia went on continuous losing streak till they get into the ODI series after Ashes wash out.
Of course, they come up with a reveling performance against England in the ODI series gaining 6-1 CB series but did they continue the same force in recent warm up’s against India and South Africa? No, they haven’t. They lost 13 wickets in just two warm up matches which shows their lacking in counter attacking the spinning prowess of other teams. It’s their middle order to come up with a good stand to threaten the opponent’s spin prowess.
Pitch Report:
The Motera ground offers a slow track which neither good enough for batting nor can produce accurate results in bowling. For both the teams the pitch offers a negative result as for Australia it’s been a while since they faced Zimbabwe on the same ground during 1998 and for Zimbabwe the pitch given one of their lowest scoring matches. The only hope for Zimbabwe is that of they recently played on the pitch which can pull up their motive to win over four time World Cup Champions.
Australia:
Though Australian’s coming off with two warm up games loss, the factor they need to bank on is the Captain Ricky Ponting who led the team for two world cups. Returning from an injury disturbed Ashes loss; Ponting looks more focused and confident in fine tuning the Australian line up for ICC World Cup 2011. He is expected to give the best stance to openers as well as acting as father to middle order batsman to face opponent’s spin and to combat any such obstacles during the game.
Coming on the bowling side, Australians are equipped with only one spinner which could pose a problem to them especially in spin focused sub continent wickets. Though Brett Lee was good in the first warm up match, he went back with a bad experience against South Africa which could be a concern for them. Like batting, the bowling side too has faced some critical problems on Australian side.
Zimbabwe:
The History says, Zimbabwe has came over Australia only once that too in 1983 World Cup since then except in the other formats of the game, Zimbabwe never defeated Australia which probably could be rewritten now. Yes, the same historical data suggests it is never to be underestimating Zimbabwe especially in the World Cup season.
Brendon Taylor’s form in last warm-ups as well as Charles being added to opener team may revel Zimbabwe to bank on the scoring charts. Besides, even middle order looks good with Sean Williams’s recent knock against South Africa and Craig Ervine, Taibu being added on to the team list.
To come over Australia, its better for the Zimbabwean team management to include some spinners at least to cash on the Australian’s lackluster in facing spin.
Our Predictions:
Australia being the defending champion has a very good chance in taking up more points into the tournament with this opening matches while if the spinning prowess is deployed on time, Zimbabwe could come over the world number one ODI team.
Australia Team:
Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, David Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait
Zimbabwe Team:
Brendan Taylor, Charles Coventry, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Elton Chigumbura (c), Gregory Lamb, Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer, Ray Price, Chris Mpofu.
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