Australia suffer shock loss to Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup warm-up game

Australia has suffered a stunning one-run loss against Zimbabwe in their opening T20 World Cup warm-up game at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.

Chasing Zimbabwe's 173 for seven off 20 overs, the 'unseeded' Australian team was restricted to 172 for seven, despite an attacking 72 run inning from opener David Warner and 49 from skipper Michael Clarke.

Needing 13 runs from the final over for victory, Australia lost Clarke, bowled from the penultimate delivery, and then Mitchell Johnson was run out off a wide, as the side finished one short of the target, Fox Sports reports.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwean batsman Elton Chigumbura's 76 off 35 balls, including six sixes and five fours, had provided the backbone to Zimbabwe's total.

He also shared a 114-run partnership with Craig Ervine (39) for the fifth wicket.

Australian fast bowler Johnson was the pick of the Oz bowlers claiming 4-23 from his four overs, while Dirk Nannes, Lee and Shane Watson took one wicket apiece.

Australia now has one more warm-up match against local side Windward XI, before Sunday's opening Group A match against defending champions Pakistan. 


Brief Scorecard:
Zimbabwe: 173-7 (Elton Chigumbura 76, Sean Ervine 39; Mitchell Johnson 4-23)

Australia: 172-7 (David Warner 72, Michael Clarke 49; Prosper Utseya 2-27).