OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Tuesday 11.00am.
STEVE and Mark Waugh both scored centuries on Monday as Australia warmed up for their one-off test against Zimbabwe with a 244-run victory over a President’s XI.
Leading by 116 after the first innings at the Queen’s Club, the tourists moved from 158/2 overnight to 304/5 before declaring half an hour before lunch.
Captain Steve Waugh, resuming on 99, hit 22 fours and three sixes on his way to 161 off 146 deliveries. He put on 256 with his twin brother, who made a more measured 116 for his 72nd first class century which included 14 fours and one six.
The home side, set an academic 421 to win off 76 overs, were soon reduced to 25/5 as Damien Fleming claimed the first three wickets.
Shane Warne also took three, cutting through the lower middle order as the President’s XI were bundled out for 176 in 54.5 overs.
Australia, delayed the end of the three-day game by giving batsmen Justin Langer and Michael Slater as well as wicketkeeper Ian Healy a bowl.
Slater and Langer each claimed a wicket as number nine batsman John Rennie belted 50 from 78 balls.
The test match begins at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday. — Reuters