Australia made to work hard by Zimbabwe’s physical style
On paper it looked a total mismatch: Australia, 11-time world champions, up against World Cup debutants Zimbabwe. Realistically, the victory was never in doubt, but the laboured manner of Australia’s 73-37 triumph yesterday will certainly have raised eyebrows among the rest of the teams in Liverpool.
Minnows in this tournament are regularly blown away – Australia had won their opening encounter against Northern Ireland by a 64-goal margin – but not so Zimbabwe.
The debutants were forced to crowdfund to even be here, but had begun their campaign with an impressive victory over Sri Lanka on the opening day and their unorthodox, athletic methods caused plenty of problems for their illustrious opponents yesterday. Statistically the smallest team in the competition, Zimbabwe even threatened to pull off the unlikely feat of claiming a minor victory in the third quarter, only to succumb by just two goals in that period.
Australia captain Caitlin Bassett said after a bruising contest that produced 109 penalties: “It was a physical match. The players out there felt it, and it’s a good practice for us for later rounds.”
Such was the Zimbabwean threat that Australia head coach Lisa Alexander decided to retain her strongest team throughout, making just two changes at half-time.
Zimbabwe player Ndaizivei Madzikangava said: “It was difficult for us, but we did very well. We can learn a lot of things.”
Elsewhere in Group A, Northern
Ireland secured their first win with a 67-50 victory over Sri Lanka to all but guarantee the top-three finish that would place them in the top group for the secondary stage.
In Group B, New Zealand brushed aside Barbados 78-25 to continue their perfect start to the World Cup.