Veteran breaks record, takes screamer as Aussies wobble without Green
Zimbabwe veteran Brendan Taylor wound back the clock with a screamer to dismiss Josh Inglis as Australia returned to Harare for the first ODI.
At 40 years old, Taylor walked out and broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record for longest serving one-day cricketer, making it 22 years and four months in the format.
Brendan Taylor’s catch to dismiss Josh Inglis. Fox Cricket
Taylor made his ODI debut back in 2004 against Sri Lanka. Tendulkar’s record was 22 years and three months.
The match in Harare marked Mitchell Marsh’s 100th ODI with the all-rounder captaining Australia and electing to bat at the toss.
Marsh was without Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green in his XI. Cricket Australia said Hazlewood was being managed, while Green had shoulder soreness.
Australia’s innings didn’t start well as Travis Head (4) sent back to the pavilion in the second over after chopping on from Brad Evans’ bowling.
“This is becoming quite a common dismissal for Travis Head,” Jason Gillespie said on the Fox Cricket broadcast.
Marsh raced to 36 off 28 deliveries, before he was caught by Brian Bennett off Newman Nyamhuri’s bowling.
Inglis could only make four but then became Nyamhuri’s second victim when Taylor caught a one-handed screamer behind the stumps to make it 3-83.
At the other end, young gun Cooper Connolly was making his mark but on 41 he was dropped by Bennett at mid-wicket off Nyamhuri’s bowling.
The chance was hit hard and above Bennett’s head but an opportunity for Zimbabwe.
It looked like Connolly was gone the next over for 44 off Sikandar Raza’s bowling when he edged behind. However, the umpire called him for a no-ball with the replay showing the off-spinner was well over the line.
The next delivery, Connolly hit for six to bring up his half-century.
Sikandar Raza’s no-ball. Fox Cricket
In a chaotic over, Raza’s fourth legal delivery bamboozled Connolly and bowled him with the 23-year-old gone for 51.
In the 24th over, Raza had Matt Renshaw dropped at mid-wicket on 12 by Craig Ervine but that was also called a no-ball.
