On This Day – Zimbabwe stunned an overconfident Australia in T20 World Cup 2007

On This Day – Zimbabwe stunned an overconfident Australia in T20 World Cup 2007: It was a new idea and most of the cricketing fraternity did not know how it would transpire. But the T20 World Cup proved to be a risk which was worth taking. The inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007 went on to be a hugely successful and popular event. Upsets came to be accepted as a more common phenomenon after what we saw during the tournament. India, who had been dismal in the ODI World Cup the same year went on to lift the trophy.

But the tournament had already had a major upset before that. In the 4^th game of the group stage Zimbabwe stunned the ODI world champions Australia as they secured a memorable 5 wicket victory. It was a night to remember for cricket fans everywhere except for Australia. Two years ago to the day Australia lost the Ashes at The Oval they copped an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe.

Let us have a look at how the historic game played out:

Australian innings-

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist were dismissed early as Chigumbura set the ball rolling. Ponting couldn’t do much either. Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey consolidated for a couple of overs and then started to cut loose, but a brilliant pick-up and diving throw from Vusi Sibanda found Hussey six inches short. Elton Chigumbura took 3-20 and Gary Brent returned with 2-19 as Australia were restricted to 138 for 9 wickets after 20 overs. Brad Hodge was Australia’s top scorer, scoring 35 not out. That though did not mean they were not the favourites, such was their bowling strength.

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Zimbabwe innings-

Sibanda and Taylor got Zimbabwe off to a good start, the former scoring five brilliant fours as Taylor skillfully gave him the strike. The duo reduced the target to double figures with 15 overs left, the first sign of Australian jitters became evident. The weather added to the drama as a light drizzle started and everyone, including Ponting rushed to work out the Duckworth-Lewis situation. But the rain soon relented.

Zimbabwe had their noses in front until Tatenda Taibu feathered a catch to Adam Gilchrist. Some disciplined Aussie bowling kept the match in balance. Masakadza proved an able ally to Taylor who was resembling a figure of concentration unperturbed by the pressure. Needing 12 off the last over, Taylor swept the first ball off Nathan Bracken for four and then picked a few more runs. With four needed off two, the ball hit Taylor’s pads and went through the leg-side for four leg-byes to give Zimbabwe a famous win.

The Zimbabwe players were racing on to the pitch even before the ball hit the boundary markers. Though Australia picked up a few wickets to keep themselves in the hunt, Taylor was calm and determined to stay right through.

And lest anyone think this was a fluke, it was not. For almost the entire game Zimbabwe were, unbelievably on top and deservedly won the game. This was a magnificent result brought about by nerveless fielding, accurate bowling and then an excellent display of batting from a confident Taylor who carried his bat through.

We wonder if the result was a reflection of Australia’s overconfidence heading into the tournament and their dismissal of the T20 format as a ‘bit of fun’. Australian skipper Ricky Ponting later admitted that “they had to start taking the format much more seriously after the horrific result”

Brief Scores:

Australia – 138 for 9 (Hodge 35*; Chigumbura 3-20)

Zimbabwe – 139 for 5 (Taylor 60*; Clark 2-22) won by 5 wickets.