Accessibility links

Breaking News

Cautious Zimbabweans Celebrate Historic Aussies Cricket Defeat


Prosper Utseya and his colleagues played well for Zimbabwe to end a 31-year old jinx against Australia. (Courtesy Image)
Prosper Utseya and his colleagues played well for Zimbabwe to end a 31-year old jinx against Australia. (Courtesy Image)

Zimbabweans are celebrating the national cricket team's recent success after years of doom and gloom with indications that there is still a long way to go before they get to the good old days.

While the nation is celebrating Zimbabwe’s memorable three-wicket victory over the world’s top ranked One Day International team, Australia, the battle is still far from over as the Chevrons need to win against South Africa on Thursday to remain with a realistic chance of qualifying for the final of the Triangular Series set for Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

An unbeaten 58 from captain Elton Chigumbura coupled with 30 from Prosper Utseya saw Zimbabwe notch out a first win over Australia in 31 years but that might not be enough for the hosts to go through to the final should they lose to South Africa on Thursday.

But for Zimbabwean cricket fans what happens now will no longer count as they are overjoyed by the victory over the Aussies.

Stephen Maponga thinks that Zimbabwe has done more than what was expected of them.

The game between South Africa and Australia on Tuesday will set the tone for the remainder of the Triangular Series as it will leave Zimbabwe with what they have to do Thursday to ensure that they sail through to the final set for Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

The game between South Africa and Australia on Tuesday will set the tone for the remainder of the Triangular Series as it will leave Zimbabwe with what they have to do Thursday to ensure that they sail through to the final set for Harare Sports Club on Sa
The game between South Africa and Australia on Tuesday will set the tone for the remainder of the Triangular Series as it will leave Zimbabwe with what they have to do Thursday to ensure that they sail through to the final set for Harare Sports Club on Sa

At the moment South Africa lead the table with nine points while Australia are second with five points. Zimbabwe are rock bottom with four points.

The defeat by Zimbabwe saw Australia slide down the perking order from top of the ODI rankings to fourth.

Meanwhile, the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League had a break this past weekend to pave way for the Net One Wallet Cup semi-finals. Dynamos and Triangle will meet in the final after Triangle overcame Chicken Inn on post-match penalties.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas, whose team lost 5-3 on the penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation time, thinks his team should have wrapped up the match in 90 minutes.

Dynamos gave How Mine a sucker punch when they beat How Mine, who eliminated them from the Mbada Diamonds Cup last soccer season.

In the English Premier League, Manchester City, who were top of the table, have slipped to third with Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea now top of the table with a maximum nine points from three matches, followed by surprise package, Swansea, who also have maximum points.

Chelsea hit six goals past Everton for a 6-3 win on Saturday.

Liverpool, who hammered early pacesetters, Tottenham Hotspurs 3-0, are in third position. The top five teams are Chelsea and Swansea on 9 points, Aston Villa on seven, Manchester City on six points and Liverpool also on six points.

At the bottom of the league table are Burnley and Crystal Palace with one point each and West Bromwich Albion and Everton with two points apiece.

Manchester United, who are still to win a game under new coach, Louis Van Gaal, are way off the pace in 14th position with only two points from three games.

XS
SM
MD
LG