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Zimbabwean state media hailed on Friday the country’s shock victory over Australia in cricket’s Twenty20 world championships as a slap in the face for Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

“Zimbabwe win: A kick in Howard’s face,” said The Herald’s editorial.

“Australians have a wonderful image of themselves, as vigorous sportsmen cavorting on green fields and over golden beaches in bright sunlight. They become upset when they lose.”

The cricketing minnows from Zimbabwe beat pre-tournament favourites Australia by five wickets in their first match in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The two countries have been at loggerheads politically with Australia preventing its cricket team from travelling to the impoverished southern African country earlier this month.

Howard said he took the decision to avoid giving a propaganda victory to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe who he called a “grubby dictator”.

Last month, The Herald called on Harare to sever ties with Canberra, accusing Howard’s government of seeking to topple Mugabe, 83, after Australia said it was cancelling the student visas of eight Zimbabweans whose parents had links to the veteran’s government.

Relations between the two countries have become increasingly strained and hit a new low in May when Zimbabwe, furious at the cancellation of a cricket tour, accused Australia of funding “terrorist activities”.

Source:Cricket News