Australia duly wrapped up their second one-day international match against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Thursday to win the series 2-0 with one to play.
It was a routine sort of day for Australia who, although nowhere near their best, won by 139 runs. They scored 323-8 in their 50 overs and then bowled out Zimbabwe for 184 in 44.3 overs.
The Australians, put into bat, were 43-2 early on with the loss of Adam Gilchrist and Michael Clarke.
But Matthew Hayden and Darren Lehmann steadied the tourists and when Lehmann was out having made 67, Australia were secure again on 180-3, a partnership of 137. Lehmann only required 69 balls.
Hayden, who was intent on not failing again after a duck in the first match on Tuesday, went on to score 87 in 110 balls.
No other Australian batsman made a significant contribution but they all got into double figures.
Jason Gillespie rounded things off nicely by hitting an unbeaten 33 in the final overs, including three sixes.
It was Ricky Ponting's 200th one-day match for Australia and Damien Martyn's 150th. But neither of them will regard this match as memorable because they made only 10 and 20 respectively.
Zimbabwe got off to an excellent start in reply, putting on 48 for the first wicket, 60 for the second and 55 for the third.
Opening batsman Brendan Taylor led the way with 65 -- his third half century in succession, having made 59 on Tuesday and 61 in the second Test against Sri Lanka earlier in the month.
But from 163-3 the young Zimbabweans went into freefall, losing the remainder of their wickets for a further 21 runs.
Lehmann, who got four wickets for only seven runs, was named man of the match.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely