Waugh's century leads Australia
to victory

Mark Waugh, apparently undistracted by his involvement in a cricket corruption probe, stroked exactly 100 not out as Australia beat Zimbabwe by six wickets in their tri-series match on Tuesday.

Australia romped to 282 for four in 44 of their 50 overs to make light work of the victory target after Zimbabwe made 279 for six -- their best one-day total against Australia -- with Alistair Campbell hitting 124.

It was the highest score Australia have successfully chased to win a limited-overs international on home soil.

Waugh, brother of Australian captain Steve, faced being dropped by the Australian Cricket Board last week after he threatened not to co-operate with worldwide investigations into match-fixing.

He eventually agreed to assist but complained the ACB had not given sufficient prior warning of an interview with him.

His sparkling innings -- his 16th limited overs century -- gave Australia their seventh win in as many matches in the triangular series, which also includes West Indies.

Waugh shared partnerships of 89 for the first wicket with Andrew Symonds (60) and 120 with Steve Waugh (81) for the third.

He reached his century and finished the match with a powerful blow over cover for four off leg-spinner Brian Murphy.

Steve Waugh passed 7,000 international limited overs runs in the 30th over after starting the match 38 runs shy of the mark.

The skipper hit six fours and two sixes while Symonds was equally devastating, clipping 12 deliveries to the boundary in his 47-ball innings.

Earlier, Zimbabwe opener Campbell made 124 off 142 balls, adding 101 for the third wicket with Andy Flower (51 off 44 balls) as Zimbabwe set Australia 280 to win at 5.80 runs per over.

Man-of-the-match Campbell gave Zimbabwe a solid start through a 94-run opening stand with Guy Whittall (36) off 22.3 overs after Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first at Bellerive Oval before a sell-out crowd of 11,115.

Campbell's century was his sixth in limited overs internationals. He hit 10 fours and one six, and shared a 70-run partnership for the second wicket with Stuart Carlisle (36) before joining forces with Andy Flower in the 35th over at 164 for two.

Australia, rarely tested in the series, accepted their challenge with enthusiasm, scoring 159 for two at 6.36 per over in the first 25 overs as twins Steve and Mark Waugh pushed towards an early finish.

Australia reached the target with six overs to spare as Ian Harvey (13 not out) played his part to perfection in allowing Mark Waugh to take the glory.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe
A Campbell stpd Haddin b Warne 124
G Whittall run out 36
S Carlisle c Symonds b Martyn 36
A Flower c Martyn b Warne 51
H Streak not out 10
G Flower b McGrath 3
D Viljoen b McGrath 1
Extras (lb6, w8, nb4) 18
Total (for six wickets, 50 overs) 279
Fall of wickets: 1-94, 2-164, 3-265, 4-266, 5-269, 6-279.
Bowling: G McGrath 10-1-43-2, D Fleming 10-0-46-0, I Harvey 10-1-54-0, S Warne 9-0-51-2, A Symonds 7-0-51-0, D Martyn 4-0-28-1.
Note: There was only one not out batsman at the end of the innings as Viljoen was dismissed on the last ball of the innings.

Australia
A Symonds c Viljoen b Murphy 60
M Waugh not out 100
R Ponting c Mackay b Nkala 6
S Waugh lbw b Murphy 81
B Haddin c Whittall b Murphy 13
I Harvey not out 13
Extras (3b, 1lb, 3w, 2nb) 9
Total (for four wickets, 44 overs) 282
Fall of wickets: 1-89, 2-114, 3-234, 4-258.
Bowling: H Streak 10-0-49-0, B Strang 6-0-42-0, M Nkala 5-0-33-1, A Mackay 4-0-33-0, B Murphy 10-0-52-3, D Viljoen, 4-0-28-0, G Whittall 5-0-41-0.

Mail Cricket Editor