Australia face early T20 World Cup exit after upset defeat to Zimbabwe

Australia lost to Zimbabwe by 23 runs in their Twenty20 World Cup match in Colombo on Friday.

Steve Smith was unavailable as he was travelling during the game. Following the result, Australia will likely need to defeat co-host Sri Lanka in Kandy early Tuesday morning (AEDT) to qualify for the Super 8 stage. Smith is expected to be available for selection for that match.

The defeat continued Australia’s record of losses to Zimbabwe in global tournaments, following previous defeats at the 1983 one-day World Cup and the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.

Chasing a target of 170, Australia’s innings was anchored by Matt Renshaw, who scored 65. He was dismissed with eight balls remaining in the innings.

Australia lost early wickets in the chase. Josh Inglis was caught at deep backward square leg off Blessing Muzarabani for eight, while Cameron Green edged a delivery from Brad Evans and was dismissed without scoring.

Tim David, appearing in his first match in over a month, offered a chance off Muzarabani before opening his account. Evans claimed another wicket when Travis Head scored 17 before chopping onto his stumps, leaving Australia at 4-29 in the fifth over.

Glenn Maxwell and Renshaw then added runs against Zimbabwe’s slower bowlers. Maxwell survived a dropped catch by Dion Myers on 20 before being dismissed for 31 from 32 balls by Ryan Burl, edging onto his stumps while Zimbabwe captain Sikander Raza was off the field due to cramp.

Marcus Stoinis batted lower than his listed position after appearing to injure his left index finger and thumb while attempting to field a return catch. Cameron Green completed an over on his behalf. Stoinis hit a boundary from his first ball but was later caught at deep midwicket off Wellington Masakadza for six, with 53 runs still required.

With captain Mitch Marsh unavailable due to a testicular injury sustained three days before Australia’s opening match, stand-in captain Travis Head won the toss and elected to bowl.