Adam Gilchrist smashed 172 runs from 126 deliveries yesterday as Australia posted a record 344 for seven and then restricted Zimbabwe to 196 for six in 50 overs to win their limited-overs cricket international by 148 runs.
Gilchrist was one run short of Mark Waugh's national one-day record, 173 versus the West Indies at Melbourne in 2001, while Australia surpassed its previous highest one-day total on home soil (338).
PHOTO: EPA
After losing two wickets in the first eight overs, Zimbabwe didn't bother chasing a required run-rate of almost seven per over. Skipper Heath Streak remained not out 64 at the end after his 102-run partnership with Tatenda Taibu (44) was broken in the last over.
Apart from being its biggest total at home, the 344 for seven was Australia's fourth-highest total in all limited-overs internationals.
Gilchrist's innings included three sixes and 13 boundaries before he was bowled by Sean Ervine late in the innings, triggering a middle-order collapse. His first 100 came off 89 balls and he raced to 150 off 110 balls.
He was dropped three times -- on 36, 71 and 159 -- and punished the Zimbabweans for their errors.
The Australian wicketkeeper also took three catches in Zimbabwe's innings in a man-of-the-match performance.
Australia's opening batsmen put on 140 for the first wicket before Matt Hayden (63) was caught at mid-on off Zimbabwe skipper Streak.
Ricky Ponting (37) then joined Gilchrist in a 106-run stand until he was caught off Grant Flower trying to lift the run rate.
Damien Martyn remained not out 47 and Brad Hogg was unbeaten on 6 when Australia's 50 overs were completed.
The Australian lower-order failed to fire, losing five wickets for 22 runs to slip from 310 for two to 332 for seven as three batsmen falling for first-ball ducks.
Andrew Symonds was run out in a mix-up with Martyn, while Michael Clarke and Andy Bichel were also out on the first balls they faced.
Streak led the bowling with 3-50 off 10 overs, while Sean Ervine had 2-65 from nine overs and Andy Blignaut went wicketless and conceded 66 runs in eight overs.
Zimbabwe was also fined 10 percent of its match fee by match referee Clive Lloyd for a slow over rate.
Australia is unbeaten in three matches, while Zimbabwe is yet to score a point. Australia next plays India in Brisbane tomorrow.
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