HARARE, 26 May 2004 — Captain Ricky Ponting came within nine runs of his 16th one-day century at Harare Sports Club yesterday when Australia beat Zimbabwe in the first of three internationals by seven wickets and with more than 10 overs to spare.
Named man-of-the-match afterward, Ponting scored a flourishing 91 to at least claim a 41st half century.
He needed only 93 balls, hitting three sixes and six fours. Ponting and Damien Martyn put together a 144 runs partnership for the third wicket that left Zimbabwe on the back foot to the end.
Martyn finished undefeated on 74, the 22nd time he has passed 50 in this form of the game. The innings got off to a shock start, however, Matthew Hayden falling to the first ball bowled by Zimbabwe discovery Tinashe Panyangara for a duck.
The final scores were Zimbabwe 205-9, to which Australia responded with 207-3.
Zimbabwe’s performance was considerably better than most predictions, which had them bundled out for many different totals, most of these short of three figures. In reaching over 200 they confounded almost all cricket followers here. The Australians were not, however, at their best. They have had a difficult tour and were flat, almost jaded. Four catches were dropped and the fielding was not to their normal standard.
Zimbabwe got off to a slow start, scoring only 27 in the first 15 overs. They also lost three early wickets. But Brendan Taylor with 59 and captain Tatenda Taibu with 57 steered Zimbabwe to respectability. They put on 61 for the fourth wicket, which was actually used to launch a runs assault on the Australians. Australia failed to get them all out. But despite the early loss of Hayden they were able to coast home with plenty in hand.
PCB Chief Wants to Clean Up Illegal Bowling Actions
In Karachi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called on umpires to clean up the problem of illegal bowling actions.
In a letter to all umpires, Shaharyar Khan asked them to report bowlers even if they had only a slightly doubtful action.
“I am writing to seek your assistance in checking the increasing instances of illegal bowling actions in Pakistan cricket at all levels,” Khan wrote. “We need to take corrective measures early to avoid embarrassment and to play our part in cleaning up illegal actions.” Khan directed umpires to pinpoint possible offenders at an early stage so corrective measures could be taken before they reached a representative level at which questioning of their action would become embarrassing and contentious for Pakistan.
