This was probably the best and last team in Zimbabwe cricket history who believed in the upsets against the heavyweight teams. Throughout the 90s era, it was the complete tough times for the Zimbabwe team without having many victories under their feathers. But thanks to the interesting characters like Flower brother (Andy flower was complete Enigma) unlucky he played for Zimbabwe and was the complete shadow of Adam Gilchrist or he could've been more famous . In terms of test average, Andy Flower has the highest average among any wicket-keepers in the history of cricket. In the bowling attack, Zimbabwe with Heath streak looked very strong.
It was the triangular tournament of Carlton series between hosts (Australia) and Visitors (Zimbabwe, West Indies). Australia has won 4 victories while West Indies with 1 victory out of the first-five games featured in the tournament surviving at the edge of being knocked out of the tournament. It was the 12 games tournament between three sides, before the best of three finals were played between top two teams with more victories in the knockout round.
Coming into the 6th match of the tournament, Zimbabwe was forced to bat first by West Indies Captain Jimmy Adams. Sydney cricket ground is always known for its bounce and swing which helped the West Indies bowling attack before they reduced Zimbabwe to 100/9 close to 38th over. Cameron cuffy (4) and Laurie Williams (3) shared 7 Wickets each to bamboozle the Zimbabwe line-up.But thanks to captain Heath streak who scored valuable 45 runs to take the scoreboard to 138 runs before he was the last man out to Marlon Samuels.
With less than 140 runs off 300 balls and the likes of Brian Lara. Nobody would have thought about the result of the match after the West Indies innings. Speculations were made that the West Indies team will chase this target before the 25th over. West Indies openers started off little shows with 16 runs on the board. But what followed next was the statement from the underdogs (Zimbabwe), “West Indies do you believe in the upsets''.
Full Scorecard: Zimbabwe vs West Indies | Jan 23 2001, Carlton Series
From 16/0 to 31/8, West Indies was humiliated like never before, Heath streak sent both the openers to the pavilion, before Bryan strang and Mluleki Nkala gave enough dents in the West Indies line-up that they could never recover back. Captain Jimmy Adams and Nixon McLean fought back and added on 60 run-partnership for the ninth wicket and looked to save his side from defeat. But Jimmy Adams was caught and bowled to Nkala at the score of 91/9 who also picked the last wicket of Cameron Cuffy after one ball to register a famous 47 runs win over West Indies in the low scoring contest. Heath streak was awarded with Man of the match for his 4 wickets for 8 runs and match-winning knock of 45 runs. Later, Australia played the best of three finals against West Indies in which they won the first two finals to win the Carlton series Cup. Mark Waugh was the leading run scorer from Australia with 542 runs and Shane Warne was highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 18 Wickets. It was the second time that West Indies lost the best of three finals.
