20/TwentyWorld Cup.
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Gibbs sees South Africa home after Gayle fireworks
Chris Gayle's stunning century - the highest score in the history of the Twenty20 game, surpassing Ricky Ponting's 98 - turned out to be a pyrrhic effort as a dazzling 90 from Herschelle Gibbs, helped by some wretched bowling and fielding, piloted South Africa home with 14 balls remaining, the highest score chased down in 20 internationals. West Indies dropped three catches and bowled a staggering 23 wides in a slipshod display epitomised by Dwayne Smith's two overs for 37 runs.
South Africa's refusal to succumb was best illustrated by the courage of their captain, Graeme Smith. After being struck a sickening blow on the right wrist off the first ball of a superb opening over from Daren Powell, Smith carried on with typical bullishness, muscling the ball over the leg side and through cover using his bottom hand. By the time he thumped one straight to cover and departed to the hospital for X-rays, he had 28 from 21, and South Africa the ideal platform on which to build.
Gibbs did that with some delightful heaves and drives, and even a clever dink down to fine leg off Dwayne Bravo. He also enjoyed two reprieves, with Bravo grassing one at deep cover when he had made 20 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul spilling one at deep square leg after he had reached 43. With West Indies showering wides around like confetti, the run-rate never spiralled out of control, and AB de Villiers did his part with a brisk 16 before a miscue off the impressive Fidel Edwards was pouched by Denesh Ramdin.
Justin Kemp was also dropped, at deep mid-on by Marlon Samuels when on 13, and he and Gibbs, batting with De Villiers as a runner, scattered the bowling to all corners of the Bullring as they clattered a century partnership from just 50 balls. The clincher was Ravi Rampaul's final over, the 15th of the innings, with Gibbs deftly picking up two fours and Kemp blasting two huge sixes.
West Indies were left to reflect on one that got away. Gayle's had been a magnificent effort, one that started with a square-drive so powerful that it burst through the hands of backward point on its way to the rope. Having had a few sighters, he then played an astonishing whip off his pads off Shaun Pollock that landed next to his team-mates in the dug-out square of the wicket.
With the tone set, it was Makhaya Ntini's turn to feel the power, and two stupendous straight sixes that cleared the rope by yards. With the situation already desperate, Smith turned to Johan van der Wath and Mornè Morkel to restore a semblance of sanity.
There was hardly any swing though, and little movement off the pitch, and Gayle took advantage with some monstrous hitting. His 50 came from just 26 balls, and when Vernon Philander came on, he said hello with a carve that went deep into the stands at midwicket. Albie Morkel got the same treatment, and by the halfway mark, West Indies had cruised to 109 for 0.
With his seam options having produced nothing, Smith brought himself on, only to concede 17 from the over as Gayle nonchalantly clouted one over long-on. The first-wicket partnership was worth 145 from just 13.3 overs when Philander finally broke through, but though Samuels fell cheaply, there was no let-up in momentum.
A straight-drive down the ground for two got Gayle to three figures from just 51 balls, and he celebrated with more devastating strokeplay down the ground as South Africa's bowling threatened to implode. Pollock went for 52 in his spell and it was left to the less celebrated trio of van der Wath, Mornè Morkel and Philander to rein in the rampant batsmen.
Having cruised to 117 from 56 balls, Gayle's attempt to slug van der Wath over the leg side flew off the top edge and down into the hands of Mark Boucher. His exit produced a lull in proceedings, and van der Wath was the pick of the bowlers, also picking up Chanderpaul in the penultimate over. The significance of that late recovery was to become apparent only later.
"We didn't do ourselves any justice by dropping catches and bowling wides, which really cost us in this game," Sarwan said after the game while Pollock, deputising for Smith, was just relieved to avoid a repeat of the 2003 World Cup opener, where Brian Lara's brilliant century thwarted his side. Having acclaimed Gayle's "awesome" innings, he said: "To knock it off, and comfortably, gives us a lot of confidence going into the rest of the tournament."
Cricinfo - Gibbs sees South Africa home after Gayle fireworks
Regards
Wilco
Chris Gayle's stunning century - the highest score in the history of the Twenty20 game, surpassing Ricky Ponting's 98 - turned out to be a pyrrhic effort as a dazzling 90 from Herschelle Gibbs, helped by some wretched bowling and fielding, piloted South Africa home with 14 balls remaining, the highest score chased down in 20 internationals. West Indies dropped three catches and bowled a staggering 23 wides in a slipshod display epitomised by Dwayne Smith's two overs for 37 runs.
South Africa's refusal to succumb was best illustrated by the courage of their captain, Graeme Smith. After being struck a sickening blow on the right wrist off the first ball of a superb opening over from Daren Powell, Smith carried on with typical bullishness, muscling the ball over the leg side and through cover using his bottom hand. By the time he thumped one straight to cover and departed to the hospital for X-rays, he had 28 from 21, and South Africa the ideal platform on which to build.
Gibbs did that with some delightful heaves and drives, and even a clever dink down to fine leg off Dwayne Bravo. He also enjoyed two reprieves, with Bravo grassing one at deep cover when he had made 20 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul spilling one at deep square leg after he had reached 43. With West Indies showering wides around like confetti, the run-rate never spiralled out of control, and AB de Villiers did his part with a brisk 16 before a miscue off the impressive Fidel Edwards was pouched by Denesh Ramdin.
Justin Kemp was also dropped, at deep mid-on by Marlon Samuels when on 13, and he and Gibbs, batting with De Villiers as a runner, scattered the bowling to all corners of the Bullring as they clattered a century partnership from just 50 balls. The clincher was Ravi Rampaul's final over, the 15th of the innings, with Gibbs deftly picking up two fours and Kemp blasting two huge sixes.
West Indies were left to reflect on one that got away. Gayle's had been a magnificent effort, one that started with a square-drive so powerful that it burst through the hands of backward point on its way to the rope. Having had a few sighters, he then played an astonishing whip off his pads off Shaun Pollock that landed next to his team-mates in the dug-out square of the wicket.
With the tone set, it was Makhaya Ntini's turn to feel the power, and two stupendous straight sixes that cleared the rope by yards. With the situation already desperate, Smith turned to Johan van der Wath and Mornè Morkel to restore a semblance of sanity.
There was hardly any swing though, and little movement off the pitch, and Gayle took advantage with some monstrous hitting. His 50 came from just 26 balls, and when Vernon Philander came on, he said hello with a carve that went deep into the stands at midwicket. Albie Morkel got the same treatment, and by the halfway mark, West Indies had cruised to 109 for 0.
With his seam options having produced nothing, Smith brought himself on, only to concede 17 from the over as Gayle nonchalantly clouted one over long-on. The first-wicket partnership was worth 145 from just 13.3 overs when Philander finally broke through, but though Samuels fell cheaply, there was no let-up in momentum.
A straight-drive down the ground for two got Gayle to three figures from just 51 balls, and he celebrated with more devastating strokeplay down the ground as South Africa's bowling threatened to implode. Pollock went for 52 in his spell and it was left to the less celebrated trio of van der Wath, Mornè Morkel and Philander to rein in the rampant batsmen.
Having cruised to 117 from 56 balls, Gayle's attempt to slug van der Wath over the leg side flew off the top edge and down into the hands of Mark Boucher. His exit produced a lull in proceedings, and van der Wath was the pick of the bowlers, also picking up Chanderpaul in the penultimate over. The significance of that late recovery was to become apparent only later.
"We didn't do ourselves any justice by dropping catches and bowling wides, which really cost us in this game," Sarwan said after the game while Pollock, deputising for Smith, was just relieved to avoid a repeat of the 2003 World Cup opener, where Brian Lara's brilliant century thwarted his side. Having acclaimed Gayle's "awesome" innings, he said: "To knock it off, and comfortably, gives us a lot of confidence going into the rest of the tournament."
Cricinfo - Gibbs sees South Africa home after Gayle fireworks
Regards
Wilco
Moin91
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Pakistan Vs Scotland
Pakistan v Scotland, Group D, ICC World Twenty20
Dangerous Pakistan threaten to maul Scotland
The Preview by Dileep Premachandran
September 11, 2007
As has often been the case in recent years, Pakistan's build-up for a major international assignment has been disrupted by an off-field ruckus, and not for the first time a certain Shoaib Akhtar has held centre stage. Shoaib is now cooling his heels back home, and the victim of his alleged assault, Mohammad Asif, will have to lead the way with the ball as Pakistan look to end a run of underwhelming performances at the global level that dates back to 1999.
Bat play: Few of the Scottish players are household names but some will remember Gavin Hamilton's performances at the 1999 World Cup. The squad also has Dougie Brown, whose county career as an allrounder began 15 years ago. Neil McCallum and Ryan Watson, the captain, are others to watch for.
For Pakistan, this is a step into the unknown, the first time in a decade that they have gone into a competition of this magnitude without either Inzamam-ul-Haq or Mohammad Yousuf. Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir will lead the bludgeon brigade but just as vital will be the contributions from the two nudgers and accumulators in the middle order, Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan.
Wrecking ball: John Blain, who once tried his luck with Falkirk in Scottish football, and Craig Wright, the former captain, will be key with the ball, as will a young off-break bowler, Majid Haq, with roots in Pakistan.
With Shoaib gone, Asif and Umar Gul will most likely be Pakistan's new-ball pairing, with Iftikhar Anjum and Yasir Arafat providing the back-up. Malik, Afridi and Abdur Rehman are the spin options, and there could also be a place for the all-round abilities of Mohammad Hafeez.
Keep your eyes on: Afridi should be a star in this format, as will Nazir. Pakistan also boast one of the strongest bowling line-ups in the competition, and this gentle opener will set them up perfectly for a tilt against India on Friday.
Shop talk: "We have got a number of batsmen who can score quickly. That's a great strength that we have. Someone like Afridi can get a 50 off 15 balls. He can hit the best bowling attack all over. We have a very strong battling line-up. They all play attacking cricket. If Pakistan play to their potential, they can be an extremely dangerous side." - Geoff Lawson, the Pakistan coach, on his team's chances.
Pitching it right: Bright sunshine is predicted for Tuesday, and Pakistan's bowlers will doubtless enjoy the pace and bounce on offer at Kingsmead. The batting looks less formidable, but it's unlikely that Scotland possess the arsenal to ask too many questions.
Teams
Pakistan (likely): Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik (capt), Shahid Afridi, Misbah ul Haq, Yasir Arafat, Iftikhar Anjum, Mohammad Asif, Umer Gul
Scotland (from): Ryan Watson (capt), Fraser Watts, Dougie Brown, John Blain, Gavin Hamilton, Navdeep Poonia, Gregor Maiden, Neil McCallum, Qasim Sheikh, Colin Smith (wk), Craig Wright, Dewald Nel, Gordon Drummond, Ross Lyons, Majid Haq
Moin91
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Malik banks on Afridis firepower to tame India
Playing down the absence of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik said that the presence of explosive striker Shahid Afridi would provide his team some psychological advantage in the much-awaited Twenty20 clash against India on Friday.
After the disastrous World Cup in the West Indies, in which both India and Pakistan made first round exits, the two sides are ready to square up against each other and Malik is banking on Afridis firepower to notch up a win against the arch-rivals.
For us, any game against India is very special. My team is working hard and they are keen to go out and give their best against India, Malik told reporters here on Tuesday.
Actually, anyone can be a trump card in this version of the game. If a bowler gets two wickets in an over, or if a batsman gets you 15 runs in an over, he could turn the game on its head. But, having said that, we do have an advantage in having a player like Afridi in our ranks because getting a good start will be important.
If the openers give a head start while batting, or if the bowlers do well in the first five-six overs, it can make a huge difference. Its like the 100-metre race. Getting a good start is very important, Malik said.
Playing down the absence of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik said that the presence of explosive striker Shahid Afridi would provide his team some psychological advantage in the much-awaited Twenty20 clash against India on Friday.
After the disastrous World Cup in the West Indies, in which both India and Pakistan made first round exits, the two sides are ready to square up against each other and Malik is banking on Afridis firepower to notch up a win against the arch-rivals.
For us, any game against India is very special. My team is working hard and they are keen to go out and give their best against India, Malik told reporters here on Tuesday.
Actually, anyone can be a trump card in this version of the game. If a bowler gets two wickets in an over, or if a batsman gets you 15 runs in an over, he could turn the game on its head. But, having said that, we do have an advantage in having a player like Afridi in our ranks because getting a good start will be important.
If the openers give a head start while batting, or if the bowlers do well in the first five-six overs, it can make a huge difference. Its like the 100-metre race. Getting a good start is very important, Malik said.
Moin91
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Team will miss Shoaib: Afridi 
Shahid Afridi, who was involved in an unfortunate incident with speedster Shoaib Akhtar, believes the team is missing his services.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, he praised Shoiab and said the team would miss his services. Despite my brawl, I have to admit that he is one of the best bowlers in the world and the team would miss his services.
Afridi, however, was not ready to say anything on the incident. Afrdi admitted that he is under pressure to perform for the team. Everyone thinks that I have got a role to play if Pakistan are to win the Twenty20 World Cup. I am feeling the pressure.
He said he was ready to take up the responsibility. Though I am ready to give the best shot, everyone has to put in his best efforts to get favourable results, he said.
Afridi said his team had god chances and hopefully would perform to the expectations of the nation. Our team is ideally suited for this type of game and hopefully we would perform well.
Team will miss Shoaib: Afridi - The Pakistan Cricket Supporters Forum
Shahid Afridi, who was involved in an unfortunate incident with speedster Shoaib Akhtar, believes the team is missing his services.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, he praised Shoiab and said the team would miss his services. Despite my brawl, I have to admit that he is one of the best bowlers in the world and the team would miss his services.
Afridi, however, was not ready to say anything on the incident. Afrdi admitted that he is under pressure to perform for the team. Everyone thinks that I have got a role to play if Pakistan are to win the Twenty20 World Cup. I am feeling the pressure.
He said he was ready to take up the responsibility. Though I am ready to give the best shot, everyone has to put in his best efforts to get favourable results, he said.
Afridi said his team had god chances and hopefully would perform to the expectations of the nation. Our team is ideally suited for this type of game and hopefully we would perform well.
Team will miss Shoaib: Afridi - The Pakistan Cricket Supporters Forum
su-47
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Afridi is the key for pak in 20/20. if that guy gets going, he'll make gayle's performance yesterday look tame and pakistan will cruise through.
if he doesnt get going, then pak has a problem. i dunno how well the others will do in this form of the game.
same case with India and Dhoni
if he doesnt get going, then pak has a problem. i dunno how well the others will do in this form of the game.
same case with India and Dhoni
F.O.X
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Afridi and Gul overwhelm Scotland
Just like Ireland before them at the 50-over World Cup, Scotland punched well above their weight against a strangely listless Pakistan at Kingsmead, but a devastating allround show from Shahid Afridi and some penetrative quick bowling from Umar Gul eased the path to a comfortable 51-run victory. When Pakistan slumped to 50 for 3, and again when Fraser Watts played some punishing shots at the start of the innings, there was a glimmer of an upset, but Younis Khan's 41 and Afridi's intervention with the ball ensured that there was no danger of that ignominious Sabina Park defeat being reprised.
Watts made a brilliant 46 from just 35 balls before his attempt to wallop Mohammad Hafeez out of the ground flew to Imran Nazir at short third man. By then, Afridi already had the wickets of Gavin Hamilton and Neil McCallum, both to slogs into the deep, and when he added the scalps of Dougie Brown and Colin Smith, the contest was effectively over. Craig Wright, the former captain who had starred with 3 for 29 added 14 with the bat, but with Gul's yorkers proving lethal, the last few overs were a formality.
A one-sided rout certainly wasn't on the cards early on, with John Blain bowling an outstanding first spell that was well backed up by the fielders. Dewald Nel, born in South Africa, played his part with a second-over maiden to Salman Butt, and the pressure built up costing Nazir his wicket as he hoicked Blain to deep cover.
Butt struggled to put the ball away during his 13, and Blain was once again the delighted bowler as he glanced a delivery straight to the man stationed at short fine leg. Hafeez played a couple of lovely shots behind the wicket, and with Younis playing himself in, the initial nerves appeared to have disappeared. But Ryan Watson, the Scottish captain, kept ringing the changes cleverly, and the introduction of his predecessor proved an inspired one.
Hafeez bunted one back, and Wright's reflexes were sharp enough to latch on at the second attempt. Suddenly, memories of St Patrick's Day came flooding back and it took some powerful strikes from Younis and Shoaib Malik to restore sanity to the proceedings.
But Scotland still had a sting or two left to inflict, and the first came from an individual of Pakistani origin who works as a delivery man. Majid Haq beat Malik in the flight, and Smith, the policeman, pulled off a smart stumping.
Enter Afridi, and sixes over midwicket and long-on - brushing the fielder's fingers - but after rollicking to 22 from just seven balls, he replicated Butt's dismissal, popping a full toss to short fine leg. And when Younis's knock of 41 ended with a heave off Haq that only found the deep fielder, Pakistan faced the dismal prospect of not batting out their overs.
Kamran Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq, the man who replaced Mohammad Yousuf in the squad, ensured that that wouldn't happen with some punishing strokes in the final stages. Wright ended Misbah's bright cameo with a full delivery and Akmal also holed out for 16, giving the Scottish supporters plenty to cheer, but 172 was well beyond the ambit of their batsmen against bowlers of the quality of Gul, Mohammad Asif and the man of the moment, Afridi.
Regards
Wilco
Just like Ireland before them at the 50-over World Cup, Scotland punched well above their weight against a strangely listless Pakistan at Kingsmead, but a devastating allround show from Shahid Afridi and some penetrative quick bowling from Umar Gul eased the path to a comfortable 51-run victory. When Pakistan slumped to 50 for 3, and again when Fraser Watts played some punishing shots at the start of the innings, there was a glimmer of an upset, but Younis Khan's 41 and Afridi's intervention with the ball ensured that there was no danger of that ignominious Sabina Park defeat being reprised.
Watts made a brilliant 46 from just 35 balls before his attempt to wallop Mohammad Hafeez out of the ground flew to Imran Nazir at short third man. By then, Afridi already had the wickets of Gavin Hamilton and Neil McCallum, both to slogs into the deep, and when he added the scalps of Dougie Brown and Colin Smith, the contest was effectively over. Craig Wright, the former captain who had starred with 3 for 29 added 14 with the bat, but with Gul's yorkers proving lethal, the last few overs were a formality.
A one-sided rout certainly wasn't on the cards early on, with John Blain bowling an outstanding first spell that was well backed up by the fielders. Dewald Nel, born in South Africa, played his part with a second-over maiden to Salman Butt, and the pressure built up costing Nazir his wicket as he hoicked Blain to deep cover.
Butt struggled to put the ball away during his 13, and Blain was once again the delighted bowler as he glanced a delivery straight to the man stationed at short fine leg. Hafeez played a couple of lovely shots behind the wicket, and with Younis playing himself in, the initial nerves appeared to have disappeared. But Ryan Watson, the Scottish captain, kept ringing the changes cleverly, and the introduction of his predecessor proved an inspired one.
Hafeez bunted one back, and Wright's reflexes were sharp enough to latch on at the second attempt. Suddenly, memories of St Patrick's Day came flooding back and it took some powerful strikes from Younis and Shoaib Malik to restore sanity to the proceedings.
But Scotland still had a sting or two left to inflict, and the first came from an individual of Pakistani origin who works as a delivery man. Majid Haq beat Malik in the flight, and Smith, the policeman, pulled off a smart stumping.
Enter Afridi, and sixes over midwicket and long-on - brushing the fielder's fingers - but after rollicking to 22 from just seven balls, he replicated Butt's dismissal, popping a full toss to short fine leg. And when Younis's knock of 41 ended with a heave off Haq that only found the deep fielder, Pakistan faced the dismal prospect of not batting out their overs.
Kamran Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq, the man who replaced Mohammad Yousuf in the squad, ensured that that wouldn't happen with some punishing strokes in the final stages. Wright ended Misbah's bright cameo with a full delivery and Akmal also holed out for 16, giving the Scottish supporters plenty to cheer, but 172 was well beyond the ambit of their batsmen against bowlers of the quality of Gul, Mohammad Asif and the man of the moment, Afridi.
Regards
Wilco
F.O.X
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Taylor anchors Zimbabwe to historic win
it was a night to remember for cricket fans everywhere except for Australia. Zimbabwe played out of their skins, Australia looked rusty, and, after the drama of a rain delay with Australia ahead on Duckworth-Lewis, Zimbabwe, who had been wobbling when the rain hit, edged to a memorable, wonderful five-wicket win off the penultimate delivery.
And lest anyone think this was a fluke, it was not. For almost the entire game Zimbabwe were, almost unbelievably, on top. Written off by everyone other than the ICC president, Ray Mali - the bookmakers had Australia at 50-1 on - they bowled sensibly, fielded like demons and, initially, batted with wisdom. A newcomer to Newlands might be thinking that they were the world champions and the side in the skin-tight yellow and grey lycra were the no-hopers.
The hero of the chase was Brendan Taylor, a fiery character whose international career seemed to be over a month ago after the latest of many run-ins with the Zimbabwe board. He anchored Zimbabwe's response with an unbeaten 60 off 45 balls, ran singles with ease and - as Australia began to tighten their grip - thumped two sixes off the 15th over from Brad Hodge to give his side renewed belief.
And yet still Australia had their noses in front. Zimbabwe needed 12 off the last over. Taylor flicked the first ball for four past the grope of short fine leg. It came down to four off two as Ricky Ponting - who has said this format is not one he takes seriously but admitted afterwards "we've just got to start respecting the game now" - looked as stressed as anyone as he frantically marshalled his field. Nathan Bracken, so reliable, bowled full on leg-stump, it brushed Taylor's pad and bobbled agonisingly slowly towards fine leg where it just had the legs to beat Stuart Clark's despairing slide. The Zimbabwe side were racing onto the pitch even before the ball hit the boundary markers.
What was remarkable was that it was Australia who crumbled under pressure. Their batting, with the exception of Hodge, lack fluency; their bowlers were too wayward; their fielders fumbled and gave away overthrows. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, threw themselves wholeheartedly into everything.
Even though Australia's total was poor by Twenty20 standards, few expected them to lose. But they had omitted Brad Hogg and opted for a seam-heavy attack. On a suet of a pitch their pace was nullified and simply allowed the batsmen to use the speed of the ball to good effect. Zimbabwe's dobblers and gentle spinners were far more effective.
Australia, who have been out of action as a collective unit since the World Cup final on April 28, looked out of sorts, and their strokeplay was not helped by a moving ball, a stodgy pitch and a pudding of an outfield. The dismissals of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, both to Elton Chigumbura, appeared to be a minor setback, but when Ponting thick-edged a heave high to third man off Gary Brent, the situation became altogether more serious.
Such is the strength in depth of the Australians, however, they had more hitters to come, and Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey consolidated for a couple of overs and then cut loose, using their feet and scampering between the wickets.
As their nerves eased, a brilliant pick-up and diving throw from Vusi Sibanda found Hussey six inches short. Again Australia consolidated, eating into their overs, and again they started to hit out, Hodge smiting the first six as late as the 14th over. Symonds, who persevered but barely timed one all evening, was then neatly stumped by Taylor as he overbalanced. The wobble continued.
Hodge, whose summer with Lancashire meant that his timing was never in doubt, batted with the kind of ease we expected from his team-mates. Lee offered some support, clouting a big six, before falling to Brent, the old man of the Zimbabwe side, who bowled cannily throughout. Still Australia, who mustered 139 for 9, were the favourites. Sibanda and Taylor got Zimbabwe off to a good start, Sibanda thumping five rasping fours as Taylor skillfully gave him the strike. As they 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 - consulting a tatty and increasingly soggy crib sheet - rushed to work out the Duckworth-Lewis situation.
Zimbabwe had their noses in front until Tatenda Taibu feathered a catch to Adam Gilchrist. Over the next three overs the two sides swapped the D-L lead, with Zimbabwe level going into the 11th over only for Stuart Matsikenyeri's skied heave to Gilchrist to again put them behind. Within an over the players were off and Australia appeared to have got out of jail. But the rain gods were not on their side and after half-an-hour play resumed and the final, sensational, act was completed
Regards
Wilco
it was a night to remember for cricket fans everywhere except for Australia. Zimbabwe played out of their skins, Australia looked rusty, and, after the drama of a rain delay with Australia ahead on Duckworth-Lewis, Zimbabwe, who had been wobbling when the rain hit, edged to a memorable, wonderful five-wicket win off the penultimate delivery.
And lest anyone think this was a fluke, it was not. For almost the entire game Zimbabwe were, almost unbelievably, on top. Written off by everyone other than the ICC president, Ray Mali - the bookmakers had Australia at 50-1 on - they bowled sensibly, fielded like demons and, initially, batted with wisdom. A newcomer to Newlands might be thinking that they were the world champions and the side in the skin-tight yellow and grey lycra were the no-hopers.
The hero of the chase was Brendan Taylor, a fiery character whose international career seemed to be over a month ago after the latest of many run-ins with the Zimbabwe board. He anchored Zimbabwe's response with an unbeaten 60 off 45 balls, ran singles with ease and - as Australia began to tighten their grip - thumped two sixes off the 15th over from Brad Hodge to give his side renewed belief.
And yet still Australia had their noses in front. Zimbabwe needed 12 off the last over. Taylor flicked the first ball for four past the grope of short fine leg. It came down to four off two as Ricky Ponting - who has said this format is not one he takes seriously but admitted afterwards "we've just got to start respecting the game now" - looked as stressed as anyone as he frantically marshalled his field. Nathan Bracken, so reliable, bowled full on leg-stump, it brushed Taylor's pad and bobbled agonisingly slowly towards fine leg where it just had the legs to beat Stuart Clark's despairing slide. The Zimbabwe side were racing onto the pitch even before the ball hit the boundary markers.
What was remarkable was that it was Australia who crumbled under pressure. Their batting, with the exception of Hodge, lack fluency; their bowlers were too wayward; their fielders fumbled and gave away overthrows. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, threw themselves wholeheartedly into everything.
Even though Australia's total was poor by Twenty20 standards, few expected them to lose. But they had omitted Brad Hogg and opted for a seam-heavy attack. On a suet of a pitch their pace was nullified and simply allowed the batsmen to use the speed of the ball to good effect. Zimbabwe's dobblers and gentle spinners were far more effective.
Australia, who have been out of action as a collective unit since the World Cup final on April 28, looked out of sorts, and their strokeplay was not helped by a moving ball, a stodgy pitch and a pudding of an outfield. The dismissals of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, both to Elton Chigumbura, appeared to be a minor setback, but when Ponting thick-edged a heave high to third man off Gary Brent, the situation became altogether more serious.
Such is the strength in depth of the Australians, however, they had more hitters to come, and Andrew Symonds and Michael Hussey consolidated for a couple of overs and then cut loose, using their feet and scampering between the wickets.
As their nerves eased, a brilliant pick-up and diving throw from Vusi Sibanda found Hussey six inches short. Again Australia consolidated, eating into their overs, and again they started to hit out, Hodge smiting the first six as late as the 14th over. Symonds, who persevered but barely timed one all evening, was then neatly stumped by Taylor as he overbalanced. The wobble continued.
Hodge, whose summer with Lancashire meant that his timing was never in doubt, batted with the kind of ease we expected from his team-mates. Lee offered some support, clouting a big six, before falling to Brent, the old man of the Zimbabwe side, who bowled cannily throughout. Still Australia, who mustered 139 for 9, were the favourites. Sibanda and Taylor got Zimbabwe off to a good start, Sibanda thumping five rasping fours as Taylor skillfully gave him the strike. As they 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 - consulting a tatty and increasingly soggy crib sheet - rushed to work out the Duckworth-Lewis situation.
Zimbabwe had their noses in front until Tatenda Taibu feathered a catch to Adam Gilchrist. Over the next three overs the two sides swapped the D-L lead, with Zimbabwe level going into the 11th over only for Stuart Matsikenyeri's skied heave to Gilchrist to again put them behind. Within an over the players were off and Australia appeared to have got out of jail. But the rain gods were not on their side and after half-an-hour play resumed and the final, sensational, act was completed
Regards
Wilco
voiceofaa
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