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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Facts and figures relating to the Group A World Cup match, Posted by Meosha Eaton

Feb 19 (Reuters) - Facts and figures relating to the Group A World Cup match between Australia and Zimbabwe (0900 GMT) at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad, on Monday:

Head-to-head record
Total played: 27. Australia wins: 25; Zimbabwe wins: 1; NR: 1
In the sub-continent: 6. Australia wins: 6; Zimbabwe wins: 0
In the World Cups: 8. Australia wins: 7; Zimbabwe wins: 1


* Australia have dominated their performance over Zimbabwe, having lost only once in their inaugural encounter in the 1983 World Cup by 13 runs. There have been a few other instances when Zimbabwe did run Australia close (twice at Perth - 1994 when Australia won by two wickets, and 2001 when they won by one run), but Australia's firepower have almost always prevailed.

* The two teams have met each other once at Motera when Alistair Campbell's century had given Australia a real scare, although they eventually won by 13 runs.

* Both sides might look to win the toss and bat first, as Motera holds a slight edge for sides batting first. Out of 18 matches played at the ground, teams batting first have emerged triumphant 10 times.

* Zimbabwe's recent form has not been great (LLLWL) and they have won only seven of the 20 ODIs they played in 2010. However, what will bolster their confidence is the fact that they have beaten West Indies, Sri Lanka and India at least once during this period and they will be hoping to put in a strong, consistent performance over the next six weeks.

* Australia have lost the Ashes and might have lost their aura of invincibility as well. But as they are on a 29-match winning streak at the World Cup, no one can write them off from lifting a fourth successive title. With a 6-1 drubbing of England in the recently concluded series, a very good ODI form (WWWLW) and 14 wins and nine losses in the last 12 months, they have always been extremely strong contenders.

* Brendan Taylor has shown good form in the warm up matches for Zimbabwe, with two half centuries and a well compiled 40 against South Africa. He scored two centuries in 2010 against good quality bowling attacks of Sri Lanka and South Africa. Zimbabwe will be hoping for a solid start from him at the top of the order.

* Shane Watson has been the Australian ODI player to watch. He has had 16 scores between 30 and 70 in the 27 matches he has played in the past 13 months. He has almost always got Australia off to a good start, but has failed to convert his starts to big scores except for his 161 not out against England at Melbourne. That, along with his wicket taking ability, makes him one of the players to watch in this tournament.
(Compiled by Rajiv Gupta, editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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