No-one expected a challenge to Australia’s hegemony, least of all from Zimbabwe. But on a crazy night at Newlands, all that changed
Andrew McGlashan at Newlands12-Sep-2007
Gary Brent epitomised Zimbabwe’s tenacious accuracy in slippery conditions © Getty Images
A sprinkling of hope
Moments after the toss a heavy shower scudded across Newlands and sentthe groundstaff hurrying for the covers. The rain cleared after about15 minutes, in time for a prompt start, but it had added a smidgenmore life to the surface and it was a little helping hand for theZimbabwe bowlers. Anything to even the scales was very welcome.An early surprise
Matthew Hayden tries to intimidate bowlers from the first ball,striding down the crease and flexing his broad shoulders. When hethumped his first delivery through midwicket for a dismissive boundaryit seemed business as usual. But the next ball from Elton Chigumburanipped away off the seam and Hayden edged a flashing cut through tothe wicketkeeper. It was only the start of Australia’s problems.Wait, wait, wait
There would have been long odds on Australia’s first six of the ICCWorld Twenty20 coming in the 14th over. But such were thedifficulties faced against the moving ball (and Zimbabwe’s naggingmedium-pacers were making the most of the conditions) Australia’s first priority wasfor some consolidation. Finally, Brad Hodge produced a meaty swing over midwicket against the part-time leg spin of Hamilton Masakadza. It shouldn’t be a surprisethat Hodge helped Australia’s recovery; he is the leading run-scorerworldwide in Twenty20.Aren’t you a wicketkeeper?
Tatenda Taibu is the complete multi-dimensional cricketer – which is just what’s needed in this format. He’s aquality batsman and could easily have taken the wicketkeeping glovesfor this match. Instead they went to Brendan Taylor and in the 13thover Taibu found himself at the bowling crease with some medium pace.The move didn’t quite work out and he was the only Zimbabwe bowler tohave an economy rate in double figures. But after his performance behind the stumps, Taylor won’t be surrendering the gloves in a hurry.More pace please
Normally facing Brett Lee wouldn’t be high on a batsman’s wish list,but it helped Zimbabwe early on in their chase. An edge from VusiSibanda flew wide of second slip and raced down to third man, then theextra pace of Lee aided the same batsman to slot him twice through thecovers. Compare this to when the Australians faced Zimbabwe’smedium-pacers – it was a real struggle for them to get the ballaway.Pinball
With Zimbabwe’s asking-rate growing it was vital they kept thescoreboard ticking, and it led to some helter-skelter running. In the10th over Stuart Matsikenyeri drove square to Brad Hodge at point andsprinted off for a run. He got a third of the way down beforerealising it wasn’t on and would have been out by miles. Instead he survived at both ends, and picked up an overthrow, as Australia missed with consecutive shies.Symonds’ rare fumble
There were plenty of signs that this was the first game for Australiaafter a five-month off season, but Andrew Symonds’ misfield at extracover is a sight not seen very often. Taylor drove the ball firmly,but not with huge power, and it went through Symonds’ slightly creakyattempt to make the save. The two runs Taylor scampered brought Zimbabwe level on Duckworth/Lewis, and Australia were very twitchy.