Shane Watson and Michael Clarke struck half centuries but holders Australia struggled for the most part against a spin-oriented Zimbabwe attack before finishing at 262 for six in their opening Group A World Cup match here on Monday. Watson, continuing his good form that enabled him to score over 800 runs in the 2010-11 season, started on a cautious note before opening up to score a well-crafted 79 off 92 balls, after Ricky Ponting opted to bat first at the Sardar Patel Stadium.
Watson was also involved in two half-century stands, of 61 with fellow-opener Brad Haddin (29), and 79 off 75 balls with Ponting (28). But his dismissal in the 32nd over, followed by that of his captain almost immediately, somewhat spoilt Australia’s plan.
The pair was dismissed in the space of nine balls and it was then left to Michael Clarke, who made an unbeaten 58 in 55 balls, and the lower order batsmen to give the Australian innings a boost.
Vice-captain Clarke, who struck four fours, and Cameron White (22), who was dropped on 15, set about the task after the departure of Watson and Ponting. They raised 63 runs in 73 balls, including 32 during the batting powerplay taken between 41st and 45th over.
Their fourth-wicket stand yielded 63 runs off 73 balls.
Clarke looked at ease in his unbeaten knock as Australia finally set their rivals, to whom they have lost just once in 27 previous meetings, an asking rate of 5.26 to win the match under lights.
