Goodwin defeats his countrymen

Western Australia 286 for 9 (Goodwin 77, Ervine 5-56) beat Zimbabweans 216 by 70 runs
Scorecard

Murray Goodwin top-scored with a brisk 77 to condemn his former countrymen to defeat, as Western Australia beat Zimbabwe by 70 runs in Perth. Chasing a stiff target of 287 for victory, the Zimbabweans were bundled out for 216 with five full overs remaining.

After Scott Meuleman had launched the innings with a boundary-laden 67, Goodwin cracked eight fours in his 83-ball innings, and combined with Australia's one-day allrounder Brad Hogg to add 95 for the sixth wicket.

Hogg's contribution was a breezy 48 from 54 balls, which was brought to an end when he was bowled by Sean Ervine with three balls remaining. Ervine then followed up with the wicket of John Taylor off the last ball of the innings, to complete a hard-earned five-wicket haul.

Zimbabwe made a hasty response, and raised their 100 in the 18th over. But by then they had already lost Stuart Carlisle and Victor Sibanda, and when Grant Flower and Mark Vermeulen fell within three deliveries of each other, the game was up. Craig Wishart then added to Zimbabwe's problems by retiring hurt with an old knee injury.

Tatenda Taibu clobbered four fours and a six in a typically belligerent innings, and Ervine rounded off a good performance with 31 from 51 balls. But Western Australia ran out comfortable winners.