World champions Australia found record-shattering form to once again outclass a struggling Zimbabwe and record their third straight win in the tri-nation international one-day cricket series at Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Friday.
In the biggest one-day score yet on Australian soil, the hosts beat Zimbabwe by 148 runs.
Wicketkeeper and opening batsman Adam Gilchrist set the tone for the day when he blazed an incredible 172 from just 126 deliveries to set Australia on their way to a total of 344 for seven.
The tally edged out Sri Lanka’s 343 for five against Australia last January as the highest international one-day score made in the country.
Gilchrist pilfered 16 boundaries, including three sixes to carve out a masterful innings which fell just one run short of Australia’s highest individual score in a one-day match.
He was finally bowled by Sean Ervine, allowing the Australian record of 173, set by Gilchrist’s former one-day opening partner Mark Waugh against the West Indies in 2001, to remain intact.
In reply to Australia’s massive total, Zimbabwe could muster only 196 for six, giving them to their third straight loss from three matches in the series so far.
Once again captain and allrounder Heath Streak tried to rally his side. His competent 64 not out was the third time in a row he has top-scored for the Zimbabweans.
Wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu also showed resilience, making 44 before being caught off the bowling of Andy Bichel in the last over.
Gilchrist completed his man-of-the-match performance by taking three catches behind the stumps.
Zimbabwe came into the match in poor form, losing to both Australia and India in opening encounters and were always going to struggle in their pursuit of the massive Australian innings.
Pace bowlers Brett Lee and Brad Williams then took a wicket each inside the first eight overs, to make the task virtually impossible.
Lee, who has been out of form, took 1-29 from 10 overs.
For Zimbabwe, Streak also took the bowling honours with 3-50 but apart from the effort by Taibu and a positive 40 by Grant Flower, the remainder of the batsmen once again disappointed.
Zimbabwe were also fined by match referee Clive Lloyd for a slow over rate.
As captain, Streak was fined 20% of his match fee because his side was two overs slow, while his teammates were fined 10%.
Australia, with three straight wins and two bonus points from wins over Zimbabwe, play India in Brisbane on Sunday. – Sapa-AFP