Zimbabwe openers punish Aussie attack

Fri, 13 February 2026
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11:32
Zimbabwe 47-0 (6 Ovs) vs Aus | SCORECARD

Ben Dwarshuis continued from one end, and Marumani looked to pull early in the over but mistimed it for no run. He soon found his rhythm, though, smashing the first boundary of the match and following it up with another crisp four. A gentle tuck to deep square leg brought him a single. At the other end, Bennett nudged one towards mid-off for no run and then swung hard but failed to connect. 

Nine runs came off the over, taking Zimbabwe to 17/0 after three. 

Spin was introduced as Glenn Maxwell came into the attack. Marumani welcomed him with a boundary and rotated strike with a quick single next ball. Bennett flicked one to deep midwicket for a run before Marumani took charge again, hammering back-to-back boundaries. A flick towards cover found the fielder to end the over, but 14 runs had already been added. After four overs, Zimbabwe were 31/0. 

Matthew Kuhnemann joined the attack, but Zimbabwe's aggressive intent remained unchanged. Bennett drove him for a boundary, defended a couple of deliveries, and then swept powerfully over midwicket for four more. He closed the over with a single. Nine runs came from it, pushing Zimbabwe to 40/0 after five overs. 

Another change saw Nathan Ellis brought on. A delivery drifting down the leg side was not called wide. Bennett responded with a boundary off the next ball and then punched one towards square leg for a single. Marumani miscued one high into the air, but it landed safely, allowing two runs. A dot ball ended the over. 

Seven runs came from it, and at the end of the powerplay Zimbabwe were well placed at 47/0.

Drinks were taken.