Zimpapers Logo

Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE cricket captain Elton Chigumbura believes their landmark three-wicket win over Australia in a One Day International over Australia on Sunday is evidence that hard work eventually pays off even for the little Davids of world cricket.
Chigumbura led from the front, with a captain’s innings, as he helped Zimbabwe post one of their greatest victories in the history of the national team.
“It was a proud moment for everyone, for Zimbabwe Cricket and even for Zimbabwe because it’s been more than 30 years since we beat Australia,” Chigumbura said.

“The guys worked very hard for this and supporters were behind us throughout.We just have to keep working. Hopefully, we will have another good game on Thursday.”

Zimbabwe remained number 10 on the International Cricket Council rankings but Australia fell from number one to four.
India, who were ranked second, are now the top ODI team in the world followed by South Africa while Sri Lanka are in third place.

Zimbabwe coach Steve Mangongo praised his men and the fans who backed their cause after his finest hour in his new adventure.
“We are also very pragmatic. It’s not many times that we’re going to beat number one or two in the world, so when it does happen I’m sure those positive people in Zimbabwe feel happy about it,” Mangongo said.

“There are a lot of positive Zimbabweans who love sport.
“I’m sure you heard all the singing on the joyous and momentous occasion when Zimbabwe won and I’m sure those positive people are very happy that their team managed to win the game.”

Zimbabwe Cricket chiefs were receiving messages, from all over the world, on Sunday night, congratulating them for a great victory.
There were others, like Brydon Coverdale writing on ESPNCricinfo, who actually felt that Zimbabwe’s win was good for world cricket.
“No doubt Clarke was extremely disappointed to lead Australia to their first ODI loss to Zimbabwe in 31 years,” Coverdale wrote.

“But by the end of the summer, or the end of the World Cup, or the end of next year’s Ashes tour of England, he will view it with more perspective. It might be the loss that reminds his men, until today the No.1-ranked ODI side and until recently No.1 in Tests, that they are mortal.

“That’s no bad thing.
“Maybe he will even recognise that Australia’s loss was good for cricket. In fact it was great for cricket. There are only ten ICC full members and two have been floundering for years.

“A win like this for Zimbabwe, in front of loyal and passionate home fans, can only strengthen cricket in Zimbabwe, and that in turn can only be a positive for world cricket.

“To see the looks of joyous disbelief from the fans at the ground in Harare was to witness that greatest of sporting stories, the broken drought. This loss will teach Australia some lessons but, unless Clarke aggravated his hamstring even more by returning to the field late in the game, will ultimately cost them little.
“For Zimbabwe, it will make heroes of men like Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya, and will boost the team and their fans immeasurably.

“No doubt they celebrated like it was 1983. Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up to work in Zimbabwe on Monday is a bum.”
While the Zimbabweans were celebrating, there was fire in the Australian camp. “There’s probably not enough expletives in the English language at the moment for the way I’m feeling but they’ve (Australian cricketers) got to learn,” Aussie coach Darren Lehmann said.

“We weren’t good enough, and we’ve got to learn really quickly because teams are going to see that and they’re going to react to it. It’s just an embarrassing performance from us. It’s been 31 years and they outplayed us today, there’s no drama with that.

“But we batted really badly and we didn’t bowl that well either; we didn’t do anything well. It’s just embarrassing for everyone involved in the touring party, and I hope they’re hurting — they should be.”

Meanwhile, South Africa cricket captain AB de Villiers wants his side to seal their place in the final of the ODI triangular when they take on Australia at Harare Sports Club today.

The Proteas will seal their place in Saturday’s final with a win today while it will open the window for Zimbabwe to sneak in, with a win over the South Africans, on Thursday.

De Villiers said the Zimbabweans deserved their win against the Aussies.
“It was a very interesting game of cricket obviously I am happy for Zimbabwe to get a win like that. . . it’s very rewarding for them and it opens up the tournament a little bit as anything can happen now.

“We have to play a good game of cricket against Australia to make sure of that spot for us in the final. If we have a good game tomorrow (today) then it’s a big possibility but first things first, we have to play a good game and hopefully come away with a win.”

Australia are looking to play better than they did against Zimbabwe on Sunday with coach Darren Lehmann saying his charges will have to gather themselves together, adjust quickly and forget about their defeat to the hosts if they are to make it for the Saturday final.

But they will be missing the services of captain Michael Clarke whose hamstring injury forced him to return home.
“We obviously want to play better than we did yesterday full stop, it’s a quick turnaround to get back and play a quality side like South Africa, we have to play well.

“The lads are looking forward to tomorrow’s game because obviously everyone was disappointed by the defeat to Zimbabwe but the sun is out today and we getting ready to play tomorrow.

“We can’t control what other teams do, we need to win tomorrow (today). From my point of view we can only worry about tomorrow (today) and everything else stays out of our hands.

“The guys were in pretty good shape this (yesterday) morning and we have moved on quickly because we got to deal with it straight away since it’s done (the defeat to Zimbabwe),” said Lehman