Cricket: Black day for mighty Australia

Zimbabwe celebrated their greatest moment in Davis Cup tennis with a 3-2 away win over former champions Australia in Mildura yesterday.

Brothers Wayne and Byron Black won the two reverse singles to defeat last year's semi-finalists in Zimbabwe's first appearance in the elite World Group.

"It is almost too much to take in, said Byron Black, who wrapped up the first-round tie on grass by defeating Jason Stoltenberg 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. "I think we did the impossible by coming back from 2-1 down."

Australia, leading after Saturday's doubles, suffered a setback before the start of play yesterday when world No 4 Pat Rafter, who lost his singles match against Byron Black on Friday, pulled out because of a virus. His replacement, doubles specialist Mark Woodforde, was beaten 6-3, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, by Wayne Black to take the tie to 2-2.