Australia A 498 (Finch 122, Warner 211, Price 4-116) beat Zimbabwe XI 300 (Taylor 85, Siddle 4-45) and 180 (Taylor 56, Starc 2-17) by an innings and 18 runs
HARARE — Australia A completed a thumping win over Zimbabwe XI on the final day of their cricket match at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
A polished all-round bowling display restricted the Zimbabweans to 180 in their second innings, securing victory by an innings and 18 runs.
Captain Brendan Taylor managed his second 50 of the match, and most of the Zimbabwean middle order made starts, but no batsman was able to stay at the crease long enough to raise hopes of saving the game.
Zimbabwe began the day in the shaky position of 49 for 3 with Taylor and nightwatchman Ray Price at the crease.
The pair extended their partnership to 48 — the highest stand of the innings — before Taylor feathered one through to Tim Paine off Jason Krejza’s bowling. Still Zimbabwe resisted, Price and Craig Ervine clinging to the crease for almost 15 overs before Price was trapped in front of his stumps for 39 by Mitchell Marsh.
The Zimbabweans’ innings slid quickly into the mire thereafter, as they slipped from 129 for 4 to 130 for 7, Ervine and Elton Chigumbura departing in quick succession.
Peter Siddle had Brian Vitori caught behind for his fifth wicket of the match, and after Regis Chakabva was run out for 28 Krejza quickly got the better of Chris Mpofu to seal the match, and a 2-0 series victory.
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The win also meant that Australia A completed a very successful tour of the country unbeaten in eight games – with one drawn match in Kwekwe.
David Warner, who also managed 173 runs at 34,60 in the limited-overs tri-series, was named Man of the Match and Player of the Series.
