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Harare: Australia A have beaten a Zimbabwe XI by 90 runs in the opening match of their tri-series with South Africa A in Harare.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Australians made 232 for 8 from their 50 overs - thanks largely to a 98-run stand for the third wicket between Nic Maddinson (63 off 81) and Callum Ferguson (52 off 67).
In reply, Zimbabwe were all out for 142, with only Vusi Sibanda (37 off 64) and Hamilton Masakadza (57 off 87) offering any resistance, as Victorian quick John Hastings (3-22) and South Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon (4-22) wreaked havoc with the ball.
Batting first at the Harare Sports Club, the Australians got off to a rocky start when opener Dave Warner was out off the bowling of Chris Mpofu for just one, and when Mpofu trapped Aaron Finch LBW the Aussies were struggling at 33 for two in the 11th over.
But with Maddinson and Ferguson at the crease, the scoring rate picked up as the pair looked to get after the Zimbabwe attack.
When Maddinson was stumped by Regis Chabva after being deceived by a Prosper Utseya ball, the Australian ship had been steadied at 131 for 3.
Steve O'Keefe (2) was run out cheaply but Mitchell Marsh (23 off 42) and Tim Paine (37 off 40) kept the scoreboard ticking over, and the Zimbabweans were left chasing 233 for victory.
Mpofu finished with 3-31 from his 10 overs, with Keegan Meth, Elton Chigumbura, Utseya and Masakadza claiming one apiece.
The hosts began their knock in better touch than the Australians, with Brendan Taylor (17) and Sabanda looking positive early on.
Taylor was caught and bowled by Luke Butterworth with the score on 32, but with Sibanda and Masakadza at the crease the upset looked a distinct possibility.
When Lyon dismissed Sibanda and Mitchell Starc struck to remove Masakadza, however, the Zimbabwean innings collapsed like a house of cards, with none of the remaining batsmen making it to double figures.
From 111 for 3 Zimbabwe were skittled for 142, to allow Australia A to draw first blood in the tri-series ahead of their clash with South Africa A on Thursday.
Aside from the standout performances of Hastings and Lyon with the ball, Starc also chimed in with 2-26 from his nine overs.
Brief scores
Australia A 232 for 8 (Maddinson 63, Ferguson 52, Mpofu 3-31)
Zimbabwe XI 142 (Masakadza 57, Hastings 3-22, Lyon 4-22)
Results Australia A won by 90 runs
