Zimbabwe shock the world

Zimbabwe celebrate a historic five-wicket win victory over Australia

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World Cup holders Australia suffered one of cricket’s great shocks as Zimbabwe triumphed by five wickets in their ICC World Twenty20 contest at a rain-drenched Newlands.

Man-of-the-match Brendan Taylor guided Zimbabwe home off the penultimate ball, the rain lashing down as the ball careered off his pads to fine-leg off Nathan Bracken for the four runs required.

Set 139 to win, Zimbabwe appeared to have been scuppered when wet weather interrupted their floodlit pursuit in the 12th over.

The break was short enough not to alter the target, however, and Taylor masterminded things with an unbeaten 60, crucially lofting Brad Hodge for two sixes in an over which cost 15.

Even then 12 were required off Bracken’s final over and Australia - despite a rusty performance after four months of inactivity - began it as favourites.

Taylor reduced the equation to eight off five, however, with a cheeky sweep for four off the first ball and Group B, which also includes England, was thrown wide open moments later.

Australia were under huge pressure from the start as Vusi Sibanda propelled Zimbabwe to 31 without loss inside four overs - having struck five fours.

However, another fling of the bat resulted in an edge behind off left-armer Bracken.

Australia seemed to be rediscovering their ability to perform under pressure by taking regular wickets prior to the stoppage.

Concerned by the lingering drizzle, Ricky Ponting displayed an unusual sense of timing when he produced a Duckworth-Lewis sheet from his pocket in the 11th over.

Stuart Matsikenyeri skied a catch the very next ball to leave Zimbabwe 70 for four and place Australia on the right side of the moving target.

Brendon Taylor improvises with good effect as Zimbabwe sneak home © Getty Images

They were five runs to the good moments later, with Zimbabwe 74 for four, when the rain grew heavier and forced the players off for half-an-hour.

But the gods were not with Ponting and his men as their bid to add the 20-over title to their World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy silverware took a major jolt.

After winning the toss, Australia’s gladiatorial top order of Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Ponting all succumbed to aggressive strokes on a pitch designed for nibbling seamers.

Hayden threw his shoulders at one outside off stump to provide wicket-keeper Taylor with a routine dismissal and Elton Chigumbura doubled his wicket tally when Gilchrist fetched a pull straight to deep square-leg.

Ponting, who arrived at the tournament later than his team-mates due to his wife being ill, then steepled a thick edge to third man to hand medium-pacer Gary Brent a wicket.

Faced with a situation of 19 for three after four overs, Australia’s innings progressed at Test match pace for a while before the entry of Hodge.

Hodge, one of the most successful players in the English domestic game, cracked two sixes and two fours in a 22-ball 35.

Andrew Symonds was the only other batsman to score more than 15. He got going with two fours to third man early on and had just stepped on the gas when Taylor’s smart stumping stopped him in his tracks for 33.

That piece of work typified Zimbabwe’s standard in the field as they judged catches perfectly in the deep and executed some fine run-outs.