February 24, 2003	Monday	Zul Hijjah 22, 1423

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FORMWATCH: Australia are in prime form, having crushed England and Sri Lanka in a home triangular one-day series to complete a run of 15 wins in 17 matches. Hammered South Africa 5-1 at home early last year and comfortably won their first three World Cup group games.

Zimbabwe prepared for the tournament with a first-round exit from the Champions Trophy and a 5-0 home defeat by Pakistan. Beat Namibia by 86 runs in their cup opener but lost to India by 83 runs on Wednesday. In 2001, lost 16 games in a row.

HEAD-TO-HEADS: Australia have won their last 18 games against Zimbabwe, their only loss in 19 encounters coming in the first, when Zimbabwe beat them by 13 runs at the 1983 World Cup. Australia, however, have won their last six World Cup matches against Zimbabwe.

PREVIOUS WORLD CUPS: Holders Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1987 and, having achieved runners-up spots in 1975 and 1996, are the only country to have reached the final on four occasions.

Zimbabwe have been ever-presents since 1983, when they shocked Australia with a win at Nottingham.

VENUE: Queens Sports Club is one of two Test venues in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe having played their second ever match against New Zealand at nearby Bulawayo Athletic Club in Nov 1992. All subsequent Tests in Zimbabwe’s second city (and ODIs, bar one against the Kiwis on that same tour) have been played at Queens. Has a well-earned reputation for slow, low pitches where runs come at a premium.—Reuters