Zimbabwe heroes stun Aussies

Australia, who have not played since the World Cup in April, were caught cold and rusty on a slow and low pitch by a Zimbabwe side considered absolute no-hopers.

Zimbabwe's Brendon Taylor is mobbed by team-mates after scoring the winning runs during the ICC Twenty20 World Championship match against Austalia

However, their collection of part-timers were better organised and more motivated than Australia and deserved one of the biggest surprises in recent cricket history.

It means England may now have to beat Zimbabwe today and Australia tomorrow to be certain of progressing to the second round.

At the centre of Zimbabwe's victory was a fine all-round performance from 21-year-old wicketkeeper Brendon Taylor.

He was superb behind the stumps, orchestrating an outstanding fielding performance, before compiling an unbeaten 60 off 45 balls as Zimbabwe reached their target of 139 by taking 12 off the final over.

Australia have yet to warm to Twenty20 cricket and they face accusations of not taking this tournament or their opposition seriously enough.

Captain Ricky Ponting arrived in South Africa only on Monday and looked woefully short of his best as one Australian batsman after another fell to a poor shot.

Gary Brent bowled perfectly for the conditions with his nagging medium pace while Elton Chigumbura took three wickets for 20, including Matt Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

"We've been outplayed," said Ponting. "Our top-order batting has been diabolical in practice matches and it was the same here. We've got to start showing this type of cricket more respect and we have to beat England now."