Flower fails to avert another loss
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Australia cruised to a 13-run victory over Zimbabwe in a triangular series one-day match at the Adelaide Oval on Monday.
Opener Grant Flower, who hit 94, was the only major stumbling block for the world champions who made 279 for seven in their 50 overs courtesy of half-centuries from Michael Bevan and captain Ricky Ponting.
Australia and India have already qualified for the best-of-three finals while Zimbabwe have lost all six of their matches.
Sean Ervine (33) and tailender Andy Blignaut (31 not out from 22 balls) took the fight to the Australians while captain Heath Streak made 28 after taking three for 45.
"They got off to a very slow start and we took a few wickets along the way," said Ponting. "Flower obviously played pretty well, but they did sneak up on us a little bit towards the end."
Ponting hit a quickfire 63 off 71 balls while Bevan, elevated to number four, paced the middle part of the innings with a controlled 75 from 91 balls.
