Last Updated on 9 months ago by Charbel Coorey
| Photo credit: AFP |
I’m a little more excited now. Just a few hours before writing this, Australia (unexpectedly, I must admit) absolutely destroyed the number one ranked T20I side, notching up their first international win since the first Test against South Africa in March.
Yes, it’s been a while. Nine losses in a row across all formats was brought to an end on Tuesday, in emphatic fashion.
Now, they are odds on to make it two straight wins against a Zimbabwe side that’s in the doldrums. That Pakistan hammered Zimbabwe, and then were subsequently hammered by Australia, shows the difficult state Zimbabwe find themselves in. To make matters worse, arguably their best bowler, Kyle Jarvis, broke his thumb and will miss the rest of the series. Is there any way they can compete with an Australia team that showed they are serious about winning this series?
Australia will enter this game having just wiped the floor with the number one side. Say what you want about Pakistan enjoying a number of matches against lower ranked opponents over the last few months, but a nine wicket rout with 55 balls to spare was far beyond the realms of imagination. Billy Stanlake set up the win with a magnificent spell of 4/8, enjoying the pace and bounce on offer in Harare. Skipper Aaron Finch, with his performance, would have picked up the man of the match award in most other matches. There is something for Australia to be positive about, finally.
Key to a Zimbabwe win
Key to an Australia win
Australia can blow Zimbabwe away, especially based on the evidence we saw against Pakistan on Tuesday.
Billy Stanlake bowled out his four overs, picked up 4/8, as well as the man of the match award. He tormented Pakistan with pace and bounce, and a performance that is even slightly similar will likely be too much for Zimbabwe. Jhye Richardson, Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar were steady, but one possible area of concern is Andrew Tye. Despite taking three wickets at the end against Pakistan, Tye bowled too many “hit me” balls. These need to be kept to a minimum.
Also, Aaron Finch has now hit 84 and 68* in his last two T20 innings, and looks in irresistible form. Expect Australia to try impart their authority with the bat and let he hosts know who the superior T20 side is.
Predicted teams
Stats and Facts
- Zimbabwe and Australia have only ever played one T20I against each other. This was in the World T20 in 2007, where Zimbabwe won by five wickets.
- Two Zimbabwe players who played in that famous win are in this squad – Hamilton Mazakadza and Elton Chigumbura.
- Billy Stanlake’s spell of 4/8 is the most economical completed spell for Australia in T20Is.
- Australia’s win vs Pakistan was their first win in nine international matches, dating back to March.
