JOHN MEHAFFEY, Headingly | Wednesday 3.30pm.
NEIL Johnson stroked a glorious unbeaten 132 in a losing cause on Wednesday as Zimbabwe succumbed to Australia in the World Cup by 44 runs after a gallant first appearance at Lord’s.
The former Natal all-rounder, who returned to his native Zimbabwe last year to boost his and their cricketing fortunes, hit 14 elegant boundaries and two sixes.
It was not enough, though, to take the World Cup Super Six leaders even close to Austraila’s daunting 303 for four, although a spirited second wicket partnership of 114 with Murray Goodwin (47) kept the Zimbabweans briefly in the hunt.
Goodwin’s dismissal signalled the end of Zimbabwe’s run chase and they eventually finished on 259 for six.
Zimbabwe still head the second round standings with five points but the resurgent Australians are only one behind after their fourth successive win of the tournament and are looking increasingly serious contenders to lift the World Cup on June 20.
Their main concern must be the form and fitness of Shane Warne who conceded 29 runs from his first three overs and a further 15 from his next two.
Australia’s innings was anchored by Mark Waugh (104) who struck a record fourth World Cup century and added 129 for the third wicket with twin brother Steve.
Steve Waugh came to the wicket with the total 97 for two after Darren Lehmann (6) had been forced to retire hurt. Lehmann needed two stitches in his left hand after he was struck by a sharply lifting delivery from Henry Olonga.
The Australian captain, who had been troubled by a recurring groin strain, showed no discomfort apart from a frightening moment when a fierce on-drive from his brother hit him flush on the side of the helmet.
Waugh simply trotted through for the single and then exchanged his headware.
The Zimbabwean bowlers, with Olonga particularly culpable, strayed too often in length and direction and Mark Waugh prospered with a series of elegant on-drives while Steve struck Andy Flower for a savage six into the Tavern boundary.
After both Waughs had returned to the pavilion Michael Bevan (37 not out) and Tom Moody (20 not out) nudged the run rate to just over six an over with an enterprising partnership of 55, including a steepling six by Moody over long-on. — Reuters