zimcricketnews.com

There's a headline I don't get to use very often. :) Zimbabwe won the opening match of the ICC Tri-Series in Trinidad by a convincing 143 runs on Tuesday, with Piet Rinke putting his woeful series against West Indies behind him by knocking a rapid 72 off 62 balls, earning himself the man-of-the-match award in the process. While there was a typically Zimbabwean batting collapse further down the order, Rinke, Chibhabha, Taylor and Chigumbura between them did enough to make sure Zim posted a defensible total.

Zim's field performance made sure the total was academic, however, as two run-outs in the first two overs saw Canada get off to the worst possible start, with Mupariwa and Mawhire also contributing to leave the Canadians at 4/4 in the 5th over. The middle order tried to restore some respectability to the score, but with the best of the bunch only managing to score 16, it wasn't really a contest.

A win by Bermuda in the second match on Wednesday will put Zimbabwe's place in the series final beyond doubt, but with a bonus point already under their wings that spot should already be secure. If winning is a habit, then this outing will do Zim's youngsters a world of good.
Zimbabwe 218/8 (50 ovrs); Canada 75 (28.5 ovrs)
Zimbabwe win by 143 runs