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Ponting guides Australia to easy win over Zimbabwe
Captain Ricky Ponting today hit 91 to lead Australia to an easy seven-wicket victory over a young Zimbabwe in the first of three one-day internationals.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:06 AM IST
Read Time: 2 min
Harare:
Captain Ricky Ponting today hit 91 to lead Australia to an easy seven-wicket victory over a young Zimbabwe in the first of three one-day internationals at the Harare Sports Club.
In reply to Zimbabwe's hardy 205 for nine wickets in 50 overs, Australia had little trouble surpassing that at 207-3 with 10.2 overs to spare.
Ponting spearheaded Australia's chase, combining for 144 for the third wicket with Damien Martyn, who finished on 74 not out.
Ponting's nearly faultless innings put him in sight of his 16th one-day century, until a great one-handed catch by Vusi Sibanda dismissed the Aussie skipper in the 36th over. He lasted 93 balls, and stroked three sixes and eight boundaries.
It was his third score in the 90s, his 41st ODI half century in his 199th match, and his fifth 50 in five matches, after lashing four successive half-centuries against Sri Lanka in February.
He came to the wicket after Matthew Hayden was out for a duck to the first ball he faced, in the second over from Tinashe Panyangara.
Hayden mistimed a hook and was caught at mid-wicket.
Adam Gilchrist and Ponting shared 52 for the second wicket, until Gilchrist pulled Douglas Hondo to mid-wicket, where Sibanda took another great catch at his shoelaces. Martin made his 22nd half century in 61 balls. (AP)
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