PERTH, Sept 30: Craig Wishart smashed a century for Zimbabwe on Tuesday as the Africans drew their opening tour match against Perth grade side Rockingham-Mandurah.

Wishart top-scored with 116 in Zimbabwe’s second innings of 255 for nine declared before the home team, chasing 282 to win, reached 135 for six by the close.

Zimbabwe had made an embarrassing start to the three-day game, being bowled out for just 149. However they dismissed their hosts for 123 and Wishart led a batting recovery on the last day after Zimbabwe had resumed on 107 for six.

Sean Irvine made 51 and shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 136 with Wishart, who hit 11 boundaries and six sixes.

Wishart, 29, has made one test century among his 760 runs and averages just 20.54 from 21 matches.

“He has been in tremendous form back in Zimbabwe,” coach Geoff Marsh told reporters.

“He is a very good player and hopefully he can...improve in the next couple of games and have a good series.

“We were a bit shaky in the first innings but we have had a good morning and hopefully the guys will keep improving,” former Australia opening batsman Marsh added.

Zimbabwe’s two-Test series against Australia starts in Perth on Oct 9.

The tourists play a festival match against a Chairman’s XI at Lilac Hill in Perth on Wednesday, followed by a three-day match against Western Australia starting on Friday.—Reuters