By Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe’s hopes of levelling the three-match ODI series against Australia were ended at Harare Sports Club on Friday after the visitors secured an 84-run victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Australia, sent in to bat after Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss, piled up a record 356 for six in their 50 overs before bowling Zimbabwe out for 272 in 48.3 overs.
Travis Head was the architect of Australia’s imposing total, smashing 112 from 84 balls as the left-hander returned to form with his eighth ODI century.
Head struck 15 fours and three sixes and reached his century from 75 balls, setting a record for the fastest ODI hundred by an Australian against Zimbabwe. His innings also helped Australia register their highest ODI total against the Chevrons.
The opener shared a 130-run partnership with Australian captain Mitchell Marsh, who contributed 53 from 63 deliveries, before Cooper Connolly continued the assault with 78 off 69 balls.
The Australians then finished strongly, with 19-year-old Ollie Peake smashing an unbeaten 41 from just 18 balls. His late onslaught included three sixes in the final over, which yielded 24 runs.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack struggled to contain the Australian batsmen, with Brad Evans claiming three wickets but conceding 86 runs from his nine overs.
The Chevrons made a steady start to their chase but struggled to maintain the required run rate.
Raza top-scored with 45, while Brendan Taylor made 39 and Craig Ervine added 38. Brian Bennett scored 23 and Ben Curran 30 as Zimbabwe’s top order failed to produce the substantial partnership needed to challenge Australia’s total.
Australia’s bowlers kept the pressure on after the powerplay, with Matthew Renshaw claiming two wickets, including those of Bennett and Curran.
Adam Zampa also took two wickets and reached a significant career milestone when he dismissed Innocent Kaia to claim his 200th ODI wicket.
Cooper Connolly completed an impressive all-round performance by taking two wickets for 25 runs, including the final wicket of Blessing Muzarabani.
Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed for 272, 85 runs short of Australia’s target.
The defeat means Australia have won the series with one match remaining. They won the opening ODI by 59 runs on Tuesday after Matt Renshaw scored his maiden ODI century and Nathan Ellis took five wickets.
For Zimbabwe, the series finale on Sunday provides an opportunity to avoid a clean sweep and finish the home series with a victory.
The three-match series is also part of both teams’ preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
Brief scores:
Australia 356-6 (50 overs): Travis Head 112, Cooper Connolly 78, Mitchell Marsh 53; Brad Evans 3-86.
Zimbabwe 272 (48.3 overs): Sikandar Raza 45, Brendan Taylor 39, Craig Ervine 38; Cooper Connolly 2-25, Matthew Renshaw 2-44, Josh Hazlewood 2-48, Adam Zampa 2-62.
Result: Australia won by 84 runs.
Series: Australia lead 2-0.
