Aussies winning run under threat of heavy downpour

But after weeks of drought leading to wilting crops and dying cattle, more than 140 millimetres of rain (5.5 inches) fell on the ground throughout Friday night and yesterday morning, turning the playing area into a swamp. More showers are forecast for today which could result in a washout and a share of the four points which could have a crucial bearing on the outcome of Group A and who makes it through to the Super Sixes.

The home side desperately want to play the match and are determined not to be overawed by a team whom they have beaten only once — in their first meeting 20 years ago in the 1983 World Cup in England.

“We have had one or two spectacular victories in the past,” said Zimbabwe skipper Heath Streak. “We beat South Africa in the 1999 World Cup and everybody knows that, on our day, we can beat anyone here.

“Whether we get that day depends on batsmen going on to big scores and big partnerships and whether we can get a good start and whether we can bowl well in the first few overs.”

“These aspects have been lacking of late, but you never know from match to match,” Streak said.

Australia will fly into this railway and industrial centre this morning, play the game and leave straight after, conscious of the politically volatile climate that prompted England to boycott their scheduled appointment with Streak’s men in Harare earlier in the tournament. Those English fears were compounded by the decision of umpire Peter Willey and TV umpire Neil Mallender to refuse to stand in the match as scheduled. They have been replaced by Billy Bowden of New Zealand and South Africa’s Brian Jerling while David Orchard carries on as planned.