Australia blew out 11 days worth of cobwebs in the seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day cricket match, but several members of the side looked like they'd sat idle for too long.

There was no doubt the delayed start to cricket on the tour after the Test series cancellation contributed to Australia's mediocre performance in the field, with four dropped catches and some sparkless bowling helping the home side reach 9-205 from its 50 overs.

Glenn McGrath struggled to get his run-up right as well as his line, Matthew Hayden made a first-ball duck, Andrew Symonds' bowling was belted and Michael Clarke spilled two catches.

But the Australians do not rely on just a handful of stars and through good performances from bowlers Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz and batsmen Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn, the visitors notched a comfortable win with plenty in reserve.

Gillespie (2-21) and Kasprowicz (2-26) were the only bowlers to get much nip and a 144-run third-wicket stand between Ponting (91) and Martyn (74 not out) helped Australia win with 62 balls to spare.

Ponting, who also took three sharp catches in a clear man-of-the-match effort, missed out on a 16th ODI hundred because of a brilliant diving catch by Vusi Sibanda, who threw himself at a drive to the deep and got his right hand to the ball.

McGrath was noticeably rusty in his first match for Australia after a 10-month lay-off with ankle problems, but after conceding 11 runs in his fifth over, conceded just 13 more in his final five overs and bowled Sibanda for 18.

Zimbabwe also took some honour out of the match.

The Africans were expected to be trounced but were plucky with the bat and with a focus on occupying the crease, made 9-205 from the 50 overs.

Opener Brendan Taylor (59) was agonising to watch early but stuck around until into the 38th over, which allowed players like captain Tatenda Taibu (57 off 76) and Mark Vermeulen (20 off 15) to be a bit more adventurous.

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