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Zimbabwe beats Australia in 3rd ODI, first win in eight years

Published

3 years ago

September 3, 2022

TOWNSVILLE – Ryan Burl picked up five for 10 in just three overs on Saturday as Zimbabwe stunned Australia in the third One-Day International in Townsville, registering an exciting three-wicket victory and denying the host a series clean-sweep.

Sent in to bat, to the crowd’s short-lived delight, Australia slumped to 141 all out in 31 overs with a counter-attacking 94 from 96 balls by David Warner the only major contribution.

Australia’s bowlers tried admirably to defend the low total, but visiting captain Regis Chakabva (37 off 72 balls) ensured his side secured an unlikely upset, only its third ODI win against the home side, reaching 142 for seven in 39 overs.

“Regis did exactly the right thing, he played some beautiful shots today but at the same time he steered the ship and got the guys over the line,” Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton said.

In tricky morning conditions, Aaron Finch’s wretched run of form showed no sign of abating.

He added five before being caught at second slip off the bowling of seamer Richard Ngarava, who accounted for the Australia skipper in all three matches.

Wickets tumbled on the two-paced surface and Australia slid to 72 for five when left-arm spinner Sean Williams had Cameron Green caught for three.

Warner remained positive as wickets fell around him, including two in Burl’s first over when the all-rounder claimed Glenn Maxwell (19) and then Ashton Agar for a duck.

But the aggressive opener fell just shy of three figures, slog-sweeping Burl into the hands of Brad Evans.

Burl clean-bowled Mitchell Starc midway through the 30th over, and only had to wait three more balls to record his first international five-wicket haul when Josh Hazlewood was caught-behind.

Openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano (19) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (35) absorbed early pressure during the reply, but consecutive wickets by Hazlewood pegged Zimbabwe back.

In his 102nd ODI, Starc had Man-of-the-Match Burl caught for 11 late in the innings to become the fastest player to reach 200 wickets.

But it was too-little-too-late, as a captain’s knock from Chakabva anchored the innings.

Evans struck Starc through the covers to score the winning runs, cementing Townsville’s position in Zimbabwean cricket folklore as the team celebrated its first ODI win against the host on Australian soil.

Australia will now travel to Cairns for a one-day series with New Zealand beginning on Tuesday, while Zimbabwe’s next assignment is in October when it returns Down Under for the Twenty20 World Cup.

The win marked Zimbabwe’s first triumph over the Aussies in eight years since a three-wicket win in Harare in 2014 and the third overall.

Australia and Zimbabwe have faced each other in 33 ODIs, with the former winning on 29 occasions. Zimbabwe had won the first meeting between the sides back in 1983. – Reuters

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National

Zimbabwe roads claim 24 lives over Heroes holiday

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A total of 24 people lost their lives on Zimbabwe’s roads during the 2025 Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

The police reported 196 road traffic accidents, 13 of which were fatal, between August 11 and 13. This represents a significant increase from the previous year’s figures, which saw 149 accidents and eight fatalities.

Reckless driving, mechanical faults, speeding, and overtaking errors were cited as major causes of the accidents.

Two major accidents occurred during the period, including a fatal crash on the Mutare-Masvingo Road that claimed the lives of six Zion Christian Church congregants. Another accident on the Bindura-Shamva Road resulted in four fatalities and 17 injuries.

The police have urged motorists to prioritize vehicle maintenance, avoid speeding and reckless overtaking, and adhere to road rules and regulations to prevent further loss of life.

In the community

Dete teen convicted for theft

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A Dete teenager has been convicted of breaking into a local shop and stealing goods and cash worth US$131.

Artwell Ncube, 18, of Lupote in Dete, was found guilty of aggravated unlawful entry by the Hwange Magistrates Court.

According to court records, Ncube used an unknown object to open the locked shop door between May 20 and 25, 2025. Once inside, he stole groceries, airtime, and US$50 in cash.

The shop owner unexpectedly returned to the premises on May 25 at midnight and found Ncube inside. The teenager fled, leaving some stolen items behind.

A subsequent police investigation led to Ncube’s arrest. Property worth US$31 was recovered.

Ncube was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, which was fully suspended on condition that he repays ZWG3 516.04 to the complainant within six months and performs 110 hours of community service at Lupote Clinic which he started on Wednesday.

In the community

Nightclub nightmare: Nkayi woman stabs man in brutal attack

Published

3 hours ago

August 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 29-year-old Nkayi woman has escaped jail time after being convicted of assault for stabbing a man with a broken beer bottle during a violent altercation at a nightclub.

The incident occurred end of last month, at around 11 pm, when the victim, a 26-year-old man from Cowdray Park, was playing snooker with a friend.

The offender’s aunt caught the attention of the victim’s friend, provoking the offender, who struck the victim on the arm with an empty beer bottle.

The victim attempted to flee, but the offender pursued him, stabbing him once in the back with a broken beer bottle. The victim was left unconscious and rushed to Nkayi District Hospital, where he remains under medical care.

The Nkayi Magistrates’ Court sentenced the offender to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspending three months for five years on condition of good behavior.

The remaining 12 months were wholly suspended on the condition she performs 420 hours of community service.

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe has urged people to resolve disputes peacefully, emphasizing that violence has no place in communities.