Perth, Oct 01: Stuart Carlisle and Craig Wishart steered Zimbabwe to a morale-boosting seven-wicket win over a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI in a one-day clash near here today. In the first major match of the tourists' schedule, Zimbabwe whipped a side including Australian Test stars Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.
After limiting the Chairman's XI to 240 all out from 49.5 overs, Zimbabwe hammered 241 for the loss of only three wickets from 41.2 overs.
It was just the fillip the visitors needed eight days before they take on world champions Australia in Perth in the first of two Tests. Carlisle (89 not out) and Wishart (63 not out) powered Zimbabwe home with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 137.
They came together after number three Mark Vermeulen (61) boosted the side following a shaky start of 26 for two wickets in the seventh over.
Delighted with the win, Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said, "Hopefully, we can continue to improve, because it is going to be hard work against the Aussies." In the Chairman's XI innings, recalled Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn launched a savage attack on young Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Ervine, smashing 30 runs off his first over.
Martyn crunched three sixes and three fours but he was removed by paceman Andy Blignaut to finish with 31 from his eight-ball knock.
Despite that assault, the tourists recovered to limit the invitation team to a moderate total as hard-hitting Ryan Campbell top-scored with 65.
Streak (4-32) had a wonderful workout, giving his side a psychological lift by bowling Australian wicketkeeper and destructive batsman Adam Gilchrist for two in the first over of the match.
Blignaut (3-47) also showed he is likely to be a significant force in the Tests. Bureau Report