Johnson rips through Zimbabwe

Until Mitchell Johnson was introduced to the attack, it seemed there was still a chance Zimbabwe could pull off a shock win over Australia as both teams opened their World Cup accounts in Ahmedabad. Chasing 263 to win, Zimbabwe lost Charles Coventry early but Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu - their two best batsmen - were at the crease and starting to settle.

It was not pure pace that Johnson used to blast through the Zimbabweans - at least, not at first. He started accurately and Taibu was soon fidgety with frustration as every shot he played hit the field and Johnson gave him no width on either side of the wicket to work with. Looking to improvise, he stepped to leg and aimed a glide down to third man but succeeded only in placing the ball right into Shane Watson's hands at a wide first slip.

Zimbabwe's situation quickly went from bad to worse as Johnson rattled Craig Ervine's helmet with a searing bouncer and then fired one full and straight to trap him leg before wicket. With that, Zimbabwe were 44 for 4 and any hopes they may have harbored quickly evaporated.

Johnson wasn't done yet, however. After a rest he returned for a final spell and quickly wrapped up the tail. Graeme Cremer's stubborn knock was ended as he flashed at one that seamed away from him to be caught behind for 37 - the top score of Zimbabwe's innings. A couple of overs later Johnson prised out the final wicket, proving too much for Zimbabwe's No. 11, Chris Mpofu, as a thin edge nestled safely in Brad Haddin's gloves to seal the result.