KINGSTOWN (St Vincent), March 7: Reigning champions Australia made heavy going of seeing off Zimbabwe in their opening World Cup warm-up match at Arnos Vale here on Tuesday (partially reported in Wednesday’s edition).
All-rounders Michael Clarke (82), who scored at better than a run-a-ball, and Shane Watson (81) led the way in a total of 290 for seven that the keen Africans never looked like surpassing in a match Australia ultimately won by 106 runs.
But Zimbabwe, kept Australia in the field for the full 50 overs before finishing on 184 for seven.
This was a one-dayer where the game died a slow, lingering, death, despite pre-match promises from Australia captain Ricky Ponting that it wouldn't be an extended net.
Scoreboard
AUSTRALIA:
S.R. Watson c Chigumbura b Williams 81
B.J. Haddin c Williams b Rainsford 47
R.T. Ponting c Taylor b Chigumbura 2
M.J. Clarke c Brent b Mpofu 82
B.J. Hodge c Williams b Dabengwa 17
M.E.K. Hussey c Brent b Williams 15
G.B. Hogg run out 5
M.G. Johnson not out 20
N.W. Bracken not out 13
EXTRAS (W-2, NB-6) 8
TOTAL (for seven wkts, 50 overs) 290
FALL OF WKTS: 1-91, 2-105, 3-149, 4-177, 5-224, 6-237, 7-266.