AHMEDABAD.

India. Apr 3 (AFP/AP): A superb 103 by Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell

went tn vain as Australia snatched a 13-run victory in the tri-nation limited-over series here today.

Left-handed Campbell, who opened the innings, was last man out off the penultimate delivery as he attempted to ride over a sensational collapse at the other end.

Zimbabwe, chasing Australia's 252 for seven, were scenting victory when a 91 -run second wicket stand between Campbell and Murray Goodwin (55) took them to 143' for one by the 30th over.

But Zimbabwe lost the next four wickets for the addition of 20 runs and the last five for 76 to be shot out for 239.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne began the slide by bowling a well set Goodwin round his legs in the 30th over. In the next over, Damien Fleming removed Andy Flower and Guy Whittail off successive balls.

Heath Streak prevented a hattrick, but managed only five when he became Fleming's third victim four overs later.

Tom Moody, the big West Australian, then chipped in with the wickets of Craig Evans and Dirk Viljoen in two balls, both through catches by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.

Campbell, with last man Adam Huckle at the crease, took Just two of the first four balls of Moody's final over, before being bowled off the fifth.

It was Australia's ninth win in 10 internationals against Zimbabwe, giving them their first points in the series after a 41-run defeat to hosts India in Wednesday's opening match.

Zimbabwe's collapse in energy-sapping temperatures of around 42 degrees Celsius undid their brilliant display in the field after Australia won the toss and elected to bat.

Australia's middle order stumbled after reaching a comfortable 202 for three wickets at the start of the 40th over. They lost four wickets in a space of 26 runs in five overs and managed to score Just 50 runs in the last 10 overs.

Australia were buoyed by a quick fourth wicket partnership between left-handed batsman Michael Bevan and skipper Steve Waugh brought 70 valuable runs.

A small but enthusiastic crowd for less than 10.000 people at Sardar Patel Gujarat stadium cheered the fall of every Australian wicket.

Bevan's solid batting took him to his second consecutive half century in the tournament. It came off 60 balls. Trying to loft pace bowler Craig Evans over mid-wicket. Bevan was unable to see Australia through the slog overs and was caught hv Heath Streak. All-rounder Darren Lehmann was also soon bowled by Streak 21 runs later. A direct hit by Campbell ensured Moody was sent back with just two more runs added to the total.

Steve Waugh, who looked set to take Australia beyond 270. fell two short of his half-century. bowled by Guy Whittali.

Australia lost an early wicket within the first halfhour to fast bowler Streak who trapped Adam Gilchrist leg before.

Opener Mark Waugh, playing his 150th international, failed to make good the life he was given in the first over, dropped at leg slip off Streak before he got oil the mark.

Waugh looked in better nick at the end of Streak's first spell. He was timing the ball better and hit medium-pacer Guy Whittail for two boundaries.

At 37. he was hit low, playing across to Guy's off-spinner cousin Andrew, ending a partnership of 68 for the second wicket.

Andrew Whittall earlier dropped an easy catch at short, cover off Streak that could have sent Ricky Ponting, at 17, packing.

Four runs earlier, Ponting had survived a close-run out call in Streak's fourth over.

Zimbabwe's double spin attack. which began in the 16th over, curtailed the Australians. But it was left-handed batsman Michael Bevan who found the gaps and hiked the run rate.

Zimbabwe's next breakthrough came only in the 30th over when Ponting at 53. whofailed to scurry back to his crease after being sent back by striker Bevan.

Australia left out Damien Martyn and rested Michael Kasprowicz who is still recovering from heat exhaustion after the inaugural match in Cochin. They were replaced by off spinner Gavin Robertson and pace bowler Adam Dale.

Zimbabwe played four spinners Friday. Off spinners Andrew Whittall and Dirk Viljoen took the places of injured leg spinner Paul Strang and medium pacer Gary Brent.