Australia 'A' whip Zimbabwe

Australia's A team humiliated Zimbabwe in the tourists' opening Australian clash in Brisbane on Friday night, winning the limited overs day-night game by a massive 216 runs.

Zimbabwe were routed for 105 in a pitiful 30 overs after the home team clubbed a formidable total of 321 for four, built on Greg Blewett's flawless 131 from 122 balls.

Queensland seam bowler Adam Dale had a picnic, claiming 4-31 and leaving the tourists in a daze just before they meet the West Indies on Saturday in their first match of the lucrative tri-nations one-day series.

The visitors will regain the services of key trio Andrew and Grant Flower and captain Heath Streak after they were rested from Friday's workout, but they still face a challenge to compete with the seemingly unstoppable Australian senior team whom they meet for the first time on January 21.

The confidence Zimbabwe gained in their stirring series win in New Zealand last week was wiped off in a few overs as Blewett and Australia A captain Simon Katich (80 from 84 balls) began tearing apart an ordinary attack.

Blewett thrashed six sixes in his blistering knock, while Katich almost kept pace during a frantic 167-run partnership from 152 balls. Test batsman Michael Slater weighed in with 52 from 48 balls, falling in the final over as Australia A set the second highest one-day total at the 'Gabba ground, short of England's 6-324 against Queensland two years ago.

The Australian bowlers were just as relentless as Dale and Test leg-spinner Stuart MacGill (3-7 from five overs) sparked a dramatic collapse of 8-29 to seal the win.

Zimbabwe began with a promising burst of 54 runs from 10 overs, but their run chase fizzled out after Alistair Campbell (31 from 41 balls) was out with the score on 63.

The tourists will need to lift to have a victory chance against the Windies Saturday.

Zimbabwe's bowlers did not trouble Australia A despite Travis Friend (1-25 from six overs) taking a return catch from Test opener Matthew Hayden (18 from 25 balls) early in the innings.

Mail Cricket Editor