Zimbabwe recover from slow start

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SYDNEY (Reuters) - Zimbabwe recovered from a slow start to reach 86 for three in their first innings at lunch on the first day of the second test with Australia on Friday.

The tourists looked to be in trouble after losing the wickets of Dion Ebrahim, Trevor Gripper and Mark Vermeulen in the first hour before Stuart Carlisle and Craig Wishart steadied the innings.

Carlisle made it to lunch unbeaten on 26 with Wishart not out 11 after an unbroken partnership of 39.

Zimbabwe made a poor start after winning the toss and electing to bat on an overcast day at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Ebrahim departed in the fifth over of the day for nine when Australian fast bowler Brett Lee beat him for pace with a delivery that crashed into his off stump.

Zimbabwe lost their second wicket when Gripper was caught behind off Andy Bichel's first delivery for 15. The opener slashed at a wide delivery that moved away from him to give wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist a simple catch.

Brad Williams then celebrated his first test appearance for Australia by trapping Vermeulen leg before wicket for 17 with the total on 47.

Australia made three forced changes to the side that won the first test in Perth on Monday by an innings and 175 runs with Williams, Brad Hogg and Simon Katich replacing Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill and Darren Lehmann.

Zimbabwe made two changes with all-rounder Sean Ervine ruled out through injury and Craig Evans dropped. Test debutant Gavin Ewing and Blessing Mahwire came into the side.

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