Wisden
Second match

VB Series

Soumya Bhattacharya

At Sydney, January 11, 2004 (day/night). Australia won by 99 runs. Australia 6 pts. Toss: Australia.

Brad Williams, another blond bomber in the Brett Lee mould, snatched five for 22 to secure Australia a crushing victory and a bonus point. Batting first, they were in trouble at 118 for five as Zimbabwe bowled with spirit and threw themselves around in the field. Then Symonds and Clarke - for the second time in two games - put the innings back on track, this time with a 66- run stand. Symonds hit a measured 42, Clarke a more rapid 40 from 57 balls, though 225 was the lowest 50-over total Australia had made against Zimbabwe. It still proved more than enough. Zimbabwe lost their top five for 17 (four to Williams), and although Taibu and Streak shared a 73-run stand, they never posed much of a threat.

Man of the Match: B. A. Williams. Attendance: 20,538.

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