On This Day: Burl’s Five Wickets and Brilliant Fielding Power Zimbabwe to a Famous Victory Over Australia

Australia, known for their dominance, were stunned as Zimbabwe produced a spirited performance to clinch a thrilling 3-wicket win. For Zimbabwe, it was more than just a victory; it was proof of their fight and belief. For the fans, it was pure delight watching an underdog triumph over champions on a memorable cricketing day.

Australia vs Zimbabwe: 3rd September 2022

During the 3rd ODI on September 3, 2022, at Riverway Stadium in Townsville, Australia faced Zimbabwe after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. Their innings was a tough battle, crumbling to a low score of 141 runs in just 31 overs. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, especially Ryan Burl with his brilliant leg-spin, took control and made life difficult for the Australian batsmen, who struggled to build partnerships or find momentum.

The innings got off to a rocky start. Aaron Finch, the Australian captain, walked out to open with David Warner but didn’t last long. In the 4th over, Richard Ngarava bowled a tight line, and Finch edged one to Ryan Burl at slip, out for just 5 runs off 11 balls with a single four. This early wicket left Australia at 9/1, and the pressure was on. Things got worse in the 5th over when Victor Nyauchi trapped Steven Smith lbw for 1 run off 6 balls. Australia reviewed the decision, but the umpire’s call stood, leaving them at 10/2. The powerplay was tough, with Australia crawling to 37 runs for 3 wickets in the first 10 overs, unable to break free from Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling.

David Warner was the one bright spot for Australia. He played with grit and skill, scoring 94 runs off 96 balls, hitting 14 fours and 2 sixes. His cover drives and lofted shots kept the scoreboard moving, but he lacked support from the other end. Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper, came in at number four but managed only 4 runs off 9 balls before edging Brad Evans to keeper Regis Chakabva in the 9th over, making it 31/3. Marcus Stoinis was next, but he struggled to settle, scoring 3 runs off 15 balls. In the 14th over, Zimbabwe reviewed a caught-behind appeal off Evans’ bowling, and Stoinis was given out, caught by Chakabva, leaving Australia at 59/4.

Cameron Green joined Warner but couldn’t make an impact, scoring 3 off 11 balls before being caught by Burl off Sean Williams in the 18th over, reducing Australia to 72/5. Warner reached his fifty off 47 balls, playing some lovely shots through the off-side, but the wickets kept falling. Glenn Maxwell tried to counterattack, scoring 19 off 22 balls with 3 fours, and together with Warner, they added 50 runs for the 6th wicket. But Ryan Burl’s introduction in the 26th over changed everything. Maxwell hit one back to Burl, who took a sharp caught-and-bowled, and two balls later, Ashton Agar was out for a duck, caught by Wessly Madhevere, leaving Australia at 129/7.

Warner’s resistance was heroic, but he fell in the 29th over, caught by Brad Evans off Burl for 94, just short of a century. His dismissal at 135/8 was a massive blow. Burl wasn’t done yet. He bowled Mitchell Starc for 2 in the 30th over and got Josh Hazlewood caught behind for a duck in the same over, finishing with incredible figures of 5/10 in 3 overs. Adam Zampa was left not out on 1, stranded as Australia’s innings ended at 141. The extras totaled 9 runs, with 6 wides and 3 leg byes.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers were outstanding. Ngarava took 1/27, Nyauchi 1/15, Evans 2/35, and Williams 1/36, while Burl’s 5 wickets stole the show. The fielding was sharp, with Burl taking 3 catches and Chakabva grabbing 2 behind the stumps. Australia’s batting lineup, despite Warner’s effort, couldn’t handle the pressure. They scored only 18 fours and 2 sixes, and their lowest ODI total against Zimbabwe showed how well Zimbabwe bowled. The innings saw just one decent partnership, and poor shot choices led to a collapse that handed Zimbabwe a golden chance to chase a modest target.

During their chase of 142 runs, Zimbabwe reached the target in 39 overs, finishing at 142/7 to clinch a thrilling 3-wicket win over Australia with 66 balls remaining. The innings was a gritty effort, led by captain Regis Chakabva’s unbeaten 37 off 72 balls. Despite losing wickets at key moments and facing tight bowling from Australia, Zimbabwe held their nerve to secure a historic victory.

The chase started with openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Tadiwanashe Marumani putting on a solid 38-run stand. Kaitano looked confident, scoring 19 off 25 balls with 4 crisp boundaries, but Josh Hazlewood struck in the 8th over, getting him caught by Steven Smith at slip. Zimbabwe reached 44/1 in the powerplay, a decent start. However, Hazlewood struck twice in the 10th over, dismissing Wessly Madhevere for 2 off 7 balls, caught by Ashton Agar, and then removing Sean Williams for a duck, caught by Carey. At 44/3, Zimbabwe were in trouble, with Australia’s bowlers tightening the screws.

Marumani kept the chase alive, playing a steady knock of 35 off 47 balls with 4 fours. He looked comfortable against pace, driving through the covers, but Sikandar Raza, expected to play a big role, fell for 8 off 19 balls in the 15th over, caught by Mitchell Starc off Marcus Stoinis, making it 66/4. Marumani’s innings ended in the 18th over when he edged Cameron Green to Carey, leaving Zimbabwe at 77/5. The middle order was wobbling, and Australia sensed a chance to defend their low total.

Regis Chakabva, the captain, took responsibility, batting with calm and focus. He put on a crucial 38-run stand with Tony Munyonga for the 6th wicket. Munyonga scored 17 off 40 balls, playing cautiously to support Chakabva, but was bowled by Ashton Agar in the 31st over, leaving Zimbabwe at 115/6. The team crossed 100 runs in the 26th over, helped by 11 extras (8 leg byes, 2 wides, 1 no-ball). Ryan Burl, fresh from his bowling heroics, came in and played a vital cameo of 11 off 17 balls, including a four and a six. His lofted shot over cover gave Zimbabwe momentum, but he was caught by Green off Starc in the 37th over, with the score at 137/7, just 5 runs short.

Chakabva, unbeaten on 37 with 3 fours, stayed composed, guiding Zimbabwe to victory alongside Brad Evans, who was not out on 2 off 7 balls. The winning runs came in the 39th over, sparking celebrations for a historic win, Zimbabwe’s first ODI victory against Australia in Australia. Chakabva’s innings was the backbone, absorbing pressure and ensuring no further collapse.

Australia’s bowlers fought hard. Hazlewood was the pick, taking 3/30 in 10 overs, while Starc (1/33), Green (1/17), Stoinis (1/6), and Agar (1/16) each claimed a wicket. Adam Zampa went for 0/32, unable to break through. The fielding was tidy, with Carey taking 2 catches, but Zimbabwe’s determination shone through. The innings saw just 13 fours and 1 six, showing a cautious approach focused on reaching the target rather than attacking.

Zimbabwe’s chase was a story of resilience. Despite losing wickets in clusters, Chakabva’s steady hand and small contributions from Marumani and Burl kept them on track. The powerplay yielded 44/1, and though the middle overs were tense, Zimbabwe managed the chase well, capitalizing on their bowling performance to seal a memorable 3-wicket win.