Australia deny gutsy Zimbabwe at the death

Australia picked off a last-gasp five-wicket victory Zimbabwe in the final round robin match of the T20 tri-series at Harare Sports Club.

Already out, Zimbabwe looked like they would pick up an unlikely win but were denied it in the penultimate ball of the match.

The hosts won the toss and chose to bat going against the grain of teams who have had the options. They handed a debut to former under-19 captain Brendon Mavuta while Australia did the same for Jack Wildermuth.

Zimbabwe made the worst possible start to the match with Cephas Zhuwao out first ball edging to Alex Carey with the gloves off Billy Stanlake.

Captain Hamilton Masakadza’s poor form continued as he was out for 13.

Solomon Mire’s red hot form persisted even after losing Tarisai Musakanda went out for 12, a second for Stanlake.

Mire’s 68-run partnership with PJ Moor pushed Zimbabwe towards a respectable total and at one point the par score of 160 looked like it would be breached but when they opened up the valve they lost wickets.

Moor departed for 30 and Mire 63. Malcolm Waller had a cameo that had 13 runs, the highlights being lusty blows, one for a six and the other for a four.

Zimbabwe closed of their innings for 151/9.

Australia too had a dodgy start, captain Aaron Finch unable to repeat his world record heroics of the previous group game between the sides, out for 3 to Wellington Masakadza.

15-1 became 26-2 when Alex Carey departed for 16, the first of three victims for Blessing Muzarabani.

Glen Maxwell(56) and Travis Head (48) combined for a 103-run third wicket partnership before both fell to Muzarabani. Nic Maddison(2) departed between them.

A tight finish was on the cards and it went down to the penultimate ball of the final over. Needing two to win Marcus Stoinis grabbed four.

Australia made 154-5.

For Zimbabwe, they will be encouraged by having the top two sides in the world to the final over. Coach Lalchand Rajput noted this as being part of the things the side will have to learn, crossing the finish line.

Next up is the final on Sunday at the same venue with Australia ranked second in the world taking on Pakistan. First ball is at 10am.