Australia executed things according to well arranged plans andmarched towards victory by 91 runs on the opening day of its World Cupcampaign against Zimbabwe at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera here onMonday.
Success was never in doubt after it posted a total of 262, though nothing much would have flattered its performance against the spinners it faced for 39 overs.
But it's pace pack in Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson proved incisive, off spinner Jason Krejza got into the act taking wickets given the freedom to toss the ball and Shane Watson and Michael Clarke impressed with their work with the bat.
Excelled in parts
Australia excelled in parts to continue with its unconquered run in the competition that touched the 30-figure mark on a day when local officials announced an attendance of 9569 spectators.
It was horror day though for umpires Asoka de Silva and Richard Kettleborough who appeared to be confused and uncertain about the bounce of the wicket and had to reverse their decisions following demands for reviews in the cases of Brad Haddin, Watson and Craig Irvine. Fortunately the decision review system has been in operation from the league phase and Zimbabwe benefited much from it getting correct decisions against Watson and Haddin.
While Watson looked firm, struck a few big blows and compiled a 92-ball 79, Clarke was easily the most relaxed and comfortable Australian batsman on show.
Competent
One of the two accomplished in the ranks to counter spin with a great deal of facility — the other being skipper Ricky Ponting — Clarke showed competency and class against a variety of spinners and took the role of Watson around whom Australia built its foundation.
Without doubt it was an accomplished and responsible knock from the Australian vice-captain.
He displayed character with a bit of panache after the fall of Watson in the 32nd over. For most part Clarke bisected gaps, ran the singles and twos hard and waited until the first over of the batting Power Play to strike his first big blow against off spinner Utseya.
He paid due respect to left arm spinner Raymond Price, Utseya and leg spinner Graeme Cremer who were strategically deployed by Elton Chigumbura.
The circumstances created by Ponting's exit following a top-of-the-stumps direct hit from Mpofu (from deep mid wicket), forced upon him to steer clear of risk-taking shots. But a lift drive over Utseya and a splendid inside out shot of Mpofu saw him race to 51 off 50 balls.
He was the dominant partner in the Power Play Australia opted from the 41st over as 30 balls from Utseya, Price and Mpofu produced 32 runs. In the end he remained unbeaten just facing two balls in the last over, but he took control of the proceeding to keep the Zimbabwe spinners at bay and put together 63 off 73 balls with Cameron White after Watson and Ponting's exit in a space of nine deliveries.
Earlier openers Watson and Haddin provided a measured and extremely cautious start after Ponting opted to bat first. Never tempted to play in their natural styles, they showed the intent to play the ball on merit after Mpofu sent down a 131 kmph first ball from a near 25 metre start. The tall fast bowler's opening burst of five overs cost him only 13 runs, drifting just once towards Watson's front pad that deflected for the first boundary shot of the match.
Determined to put a high value on their wicket, the pair raised 50 in the first ball of the 15th over; but signs of their weakness against spin was evident until Clarke arrived.
