Coach Geoff Marsh believes Zimbabwe can save the first Test despite Australia needing just one wicket on the final day to wrap up an innings victory. A rain-hit evening session on Sunday deprived Australia of the chance to break the visitors' last-wicket stand between skipper Heath Streak and Ray Price.
Zimbabwe need another 224 runs just to make Australia bat again, but with some rain forecast for Monday Marsh is not conceding defeat just yet.
"We have already taken Australia to the fifth day - and not many sides can do that," the former Australia Test opener said.
"Heath Streak and Ray Price can both bat well - make no mistake. So we have certainly not given up hope of saving this."
Australia took seven wickets on the abbreviated fourth day to reduce Zimbabwe to 272-9, but they were forced to do so without injured bowlers Jason Gillespie (back) and Stuart MacGill (calf).
Both are in doubt for the second Test in Sydney starting on Friday, but Darren Lehmann showed at the Waca that Australia's back-up attack is decent.
Lehmann took 3-54 with his left-arm turners, his best return in 15 Test appearances.
"I just got lucky," he said.
"Considering we had only two fit frontline bowlers, we have done well to take seven wickets today and have them nine down.
"It would have been nice to finish tonight, but we should be able to knock over the last wicket early tomorrow."
MMIX
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We should be able to knock over the last wicket early tomorrow 
