The Australian Over 50s cricket team kicked off their 2020 World Cup campaign with a resounding win against debutants Zimbabawe by 6 wickets with 9 overs to spare at Claremont Cricket Club Cape Town.
The Australians won the toss and elected to field on a fast bouncy wicket and opener Mark Burmester got the newcomers off to a good start. In the 12th over Phillip Melville broke the partnership with 46 on the board but the partnership of Walton and Bartlett was crucial in Zimbabwe setting up a competitive total. Bill Blair was brought into the attack and met with almost immediate success dismissing Tony Bartlett for 10 - this moment really exposed the depth of Zimbabwe’s batting.
Steve Gollan then picked up the important wicket of Andy Walton who was starting to look dangerous and from there the Aussies put the brakes on the Zimbabwe innings.
Tony Sargent bowled very economically taking the crucial wicket of Chris Evans which then put the onus on Zimbabwe Captain Darrel Goodwin to steady the ship. Goodwin made 23 before he was out caught by Matt Lewis off the bowling off Bill Blair.
The Zimbabwe innings never really gathered any momentum towards the end with former Test Player Eddo Brandes unable to make any impact thanks to some tight bowling from Bill Blair and Tony Clark closing out. All in all the bowlers did a good job keeping Zimbabwe to 8 for 175 off their 45 overs.
Australia started their innings taking 20 off the first 4 overs before debutant Andrew Bethune was bowled by a tremendous delivery from Andy Walton and Queenslander Gavin Brown soon followed chipping one to mid-on and be out for 20 .
At 2 for 28 there was a hint of nerves chasing this teasing total however experienced campaigners Peter Solway and Joe Santostefano consolidated with a 90 run partnership combining good running between wickets with good cricket strokes and disposing of the bad balls.
Santostefano was dismissed for 53 whilst Captain Peter Solway remained unbeaten on 65 to see the Aussies home. Pick of the bowlers was Andy Walton with 2 for 26 off 6 overs.
Joe Santostefano was named Man of the Match and Steve Gollan picked up the Spirit of Cricket Award.
All in all it was a good win for the Aussies with room for further improvement especially adapting to bowling with the pink duke balls and some fielding. Australia play the West Indies on Friday at Bishops Diocesan College.
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