The ODI History of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe have turned out at nine Cricket World Cups, with this proud cricket nation also co-hosting the 2023 tournament with South Africa and Namibia. Although they didn’t participate at the 2019 World Cup, the Chevrons were able to turn out at nine consecutive tournaments previously to this.
The Zimbabweans are largely regarded as underdogs when they are competing against some of the well-known One Day International cricket teams, with the team making their debut in 1983 and they were able to win one of their six matches at the group stage.
Things started out very promisingly for the underdog when triumphing against Australia by thirteen runs at Trent Bridge. However, they were beaten by the Wallabies in the other match, with West Indies and India also defeating them on two occasions.
The 1987 World Cup saw Zimbabwe thrust into the deep end once again, with the team being put in the same pool as India, Australia and New Zealand. They were only narrowly beaten by the Kiwis by three runs and that was the closest that they ended up coming to a win.
In the 1992 tournament, the Zimbabweans only scored one win amidst the seven losses, with this proving to be a famous win which came against England towards the end of the round robin phase.
The 1999 Cricket World Cup was the tournament where this ODI nation made a breakthrough, with three wins coming in the group phase which meant a spot in the Super Six. A five-wicket victory over Kenya came before an even better win over India which saw a three run win.
Qualification for the Super Sixes stage came when beating South Africa by 48 runs, with the team then narrowly close to making the semi-finals when finishing fifth in the group stage and they were unlucky not to get a result against New Zealand.
Who Holds the ODI Records for Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe have some notable achievements when it comes to One Day International cricket. The biggest team total was 351/7 and that came against Kenya in Mombasa. This happened on 29 January 2009 which was also the year in which the highest individual score was achieved.
Charles Coventry was able to rack up an innings score of 194 not out against Bangladesh on 16 August, with the best bowling figures coming nine years previously. Henry Olonga was able to post an incredible 6/19 on 28 January 2000 at Cape Town.
Check out our free cricket betting tips for up to date betting predictions as the tournament unfolds
