Zimbabwe humbled by Australian Country XI

Zimbabwe slumped to a morale-shattering 51-run defeat against an Australian Country X1, made up of enthusiastic part-time players, in a one-day carnival game at Bradman Oval, in the New South Wales town of Bowral, on Friday.

Desperately needing a confidence-boosting win before Sunday's tri-nations clash against the mighty Australian senior team in Melbourne on Sunday, the tourists were skittled for 146 runs in 39.1 overs after the country side made 197.

"Australia will give us a hiding if we play like this," said disappointed Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak.

"It should be easy for us to play in a game like this, because there is not the pressure of international cricket. We really should have been able to do the business.

"The quality of the cricket we were up against was certainly not international standard, and we should have been able to show our skills.

"I must say it was all very disappointing."

Only a slogging last-wicket partnership of 35 by Streak (15 not out) and Gus Mackay (21) gave some respectability to the total.

The tourists' innings was wrecked by medium-pacer Andrew Starr, from the New South Wales town of Armidale, who captured 5-37.

Starr, well though he bowled, does not compare with Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne, who will all line-up against Zimbabwe at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Guy Whittall (37), Grant Flower (23) and Andy Flower (13) made starts but the rest of the top order failed to reach double figures.

"It was terrific fun for me," said an elated Starr, who has not played even grade (club) cricket in Sydney -- let alone in first-class ranks.

"You've got to say they are really going to struggle against Australia, especially their bowling attack," Starr said.

"I can see Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting really slaying them."

Mail Cricket Editor