Zimbabwe the Aussies' Waterloo

Thirteen days ago, Australia arrived in Zimbabwe as the No 1 ODI side in the world, virtually assured of victory in the tri-series.

But those 13 days turned out to be unlucky for Michael Clarke's men. Not only have they lost to both the Proteas and Zimbabwe, and gone from No 1 to No 3 in the ICC rankings, but they once again face South Africa at Harare Sports Club today, only this time without Clarke, whose injured hamstring has forced his return home.

A place in Saturday's final - which virtually everyone had assumed would feature SA and Australia - is suddenly something the Aussies will truly have to fight for.

On Sunday, prior to limping onto a plane, Clarke got a few things off his chest.

"It was a terrible performance," he said after Zimbabwe beat Australia by three wickets with two overs to spare.

Clarke added: "Forget the opposition, we played some average cricket at best throughout the whole game.

"Our general fielding was poor. Our execution with the ball was OK but had to be better when we only had 200-odd on the board."

Batting was another problem, he said.

"We continually talk about facing spin bowling as an Australian team. It seems to be an area we continue to struggle in and today's another example of that."

But Clarke balked at the suggestion that Sunday's result was symptomatic of bigger problems.

"We go out there to win every game we play," Clarke said. "Obviously we're extremely disappointed. I wish we had played better."

There is nothing South Africans enjoy more than an Australian team getting it wrong - simply as payback for all those times the Aussies got it right at the Proteas' expense.

Clarke's absence will count in more than a leadership sense. His 68 not out was easily Australia's best innings on Sunday.

And, with the pitches at Harare Sports Club tiring after hosting four matches in seven days, batsmen will find scoring a tough challenge today. But spinners will expect a field day .

South Africa have their own problems. JP Duminy is struggling with a knee problem and Morné Morkel has an issue with his bowling shoulder.