Zimbabwe tricky hurdle for Australia

LONDON, JUNE 8: Australia are going to be a tough nut to crack,'' said Alistair Campbell, skipper of a Zimbabwe team that lowered the c...

LONDON, JUNE 8: 8220;Australia are going to be a tough nut to crack,8221; said Alistair Campbell, skipper of a Zimbabwe team that lowered the colours of South Africa and India, on arriving at Lord8217;s on Tuesday.

Earlier, during the run-up to the tournament, Campbell, when asked if he had been to Lord8217;s, had stated that he would not go there as a gawking tourist. 8220;We will earn the right to be there,8221; he had said.

At that time, the statement was seen as a chest-thumping, cocky outpouring from one of the minnows of the game. No longer. Zimbabwe are now regarded as the third best bet for a berth in the semi-final after South Africa and Pakistan. From there it is 8220;just a question of winning one match,8221; as their all-rounder Neil Johnson put it at Headingley on Sunday.

It is not that Australia are going to sit back and watch the Zimbabweans trample all over them. If anything, the Aussies after looking ordinary in the preliminary stage of the tournament, have warmed up to the task in splendid fashion.

Their crushing of the West Indies in the group match was the turning point. That match showed how potent a weapon Glenn McGrath. Immediately after, in the Super Six opener, McGrath ripped the heart out of the Indian batting to set up the key victory.

His team would look up to him to provide the lead as none of their other bowlers have looked penetrative in English conditions. Skipper Steve Waugh, nursing a groin injury may not bowl further in the tournament. He will play as a pure batsman. Shane Warne said he had recovered from the niggling neck and shoulder strain he had been suffering since the last few days.

Australia, however, have in Tom Moody a handy all-rounder whose medium-pace bowling can be useful in the middle overs. As a professional with Worcestershire, he has rich experience of English conditions and will be a tricky customer. He is also a tremendous hitter during the slog overs.

Story continues below this ad

Australia will also be pumped up by their excellent record against Zimbabwe. They have won 10 of the last 11 clashes, including five consecutive World Cup encounters. However, Zimbabwe produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history when they beat Australia by 13 runs at Trent Bridge during the 1983 edition. At that time, Zimbabwe did not have Test status, but had stretched India too.

The African side now has a balanced team with many good all-rounders. Their brilliant fielding, enthusiastic batting and bowling have made them a dangerous outfit. They already have five points coming in to this match. A win is all they need to make the semi-finals.

Australia have just two points. They must win this match to have a realistic chance of making the semi-finals. Else, they would have too much to do in their last Super Six match against South Africa.