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ANOTHER ONE GOES . . . Zimbabwe batsman Hamilton Masakadza, who was the only batting success story for the hosts in a poor performance, is stumped by wicket-keeper Brad Haddin at Harare Sports Club yesterday — AFP

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S cricket team plunged to new depths of mediocrity after they suffered a 198-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the opening game of the triangular One-Day International series at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field, but the decision did not pay as the Australians put up a merciless 350-6 that became the highest ODI total ever to be scored at Harare Sports Club.

The hosts posted 144-9 in a sickening reply as the gulf between the world’s number one ODI team and the number 10 was there for everyone to see.
Hamilton Masakadza played a lone hand, in reply for the hosts, with a half century that showed the brutality and menace of one of the finest attacks in the world can be tamed.

But there was no support and, for the umpteenth time in the ODI stretching from the series against South Africa, Brendan Taylor came short.
He wasn’t alone, though.

Skipper Elton Chigumbura didn’t contribute with the bat, neither did the other frontline batsmen and Tino Mawoyo was given a quick reminder that the game, at this level, has no mercy for those who haven’t been around.

In contrast the Aussies had fun with the bat. Half centuries from opener Aaron Finch, man-of-the-match Mitchell Marsh and a huge performance from Glen Maxwell — who fell just seven runs shy of his first ODI century — did enough damage to Zimbabwe.

Maxwell smashed 93 from 46 balls with nine fours and five sixes and Marsh thumped 89 off 83 balls with seven fours and four sixes as Australia enjoyed a festival of boundaries against the Zimbabwe attack.

“I didn’t start slowly on purpose, it took time to adjust to the wicket and we had wickets in hand so that helped. I like the number three position, it was a great opportunity and hopefully I can play there more. When the wickets are flat, I’m definitely a batter,” said Marsh.

Chigumbura conceded that they were blown away.
“We were outplayed, as simple as that. We have to keep working hard and play a different game next time.

“The main focus is on our batting but we keep losing wickets. We need to lift our spirits and hopefully things will change in the next game.”
Steven Smith took three wickets but it was the pace of the frontline Aussie bowlers that caused problems for the Zimbabweans.