Travis Head’s century led a strong batting performance from Australia, which was followed by a clinical bowling effort as they won the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare by 84 runs to seal the three-match series with a game remaining. Head’s 112 off 84 was supported by half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh (53) and Cooper Connolly (78) as Australia posted 356 or 6 before bowling Zimbabwe out 272 to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Zimbabwe’s new-ball bowlers found some movement early on but Australia made a positive start. Mitchell Marsh survived a difficult chance off the first ball, while Travis Head was initially tested by Blessing Muzarabani, who repeatedly beat the outside edge. Head soon found his range, though, whipping a half-volley over square leg for six in the second over before Marsh top-edged a short ball for another six. Head found boundaries regularly, including three in an over off Muzarabani. Brad Evans also went for runs as Head smashed another maximum, powering Australia to 78/0 after 10 overs.
The openers continued to attack after the Powerplay as Head reached fifty in 32 balls and the partnership went past 100. Marsh, who was playing a more controlled innings, reached his half-century in 52 balls before being bowled by Wellington Masakadza, which ended a 130-run stand. Meanwhile, Head was unfazed, finding the boundaries regularly as he reached his eighth ODI hundred – from only 75 balls. He eventually fell to Wessly Madhevere but the wicket did not affect Australia’s progress as Connolly kept the momentum going, adding 39 with Josh Inglis and then combined with Carey in a 57-run stand.
Connolly reached his half-century off 51 balls, his third successive fifty-plus score in ODIs, as Australia moved to 255 for 3 after 40 overs. The final 10 overs saw Australia shift into top gear as they added 101. Despite Carey and Connolly falling in successive Evans overs, Oliver Peake provided the late fireworks, pulling and cutting his way to a rapid 41 off 18 balls. This included three sixes off Evans in a 24-run final over as Australia finished with their highest ODI total against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s openers got off to a watchful start in the chase, with Ben Curran also getting an early reprieve. He chipped one to mid-off where Head thought he took a fine diving catch, only for the third umpire to rule it not out as the ball made contact with the turf first. The openers got a few boundaries but there were also some quiet overs, including a maiden from Josh Hazlewood, as Zimbabwe got only 41 in the Powerplay. Brian Bennett fell soon after, bowled by Matt Renshaw for a 34-ball 23 and Curran (30 off 46) was bowled in the spinner’s next over, to leave Zimbabwe at 60 for 2 in the 16th over.
Innocent Kaia and Brendan Taylor put on a brisk stand for the third wicket as they tried to get Zimbabwe going. However, the partnership ended on 55 as Adam Zampa bagged his first wicket by having Kaia bowled for 34. Zimbabwe tried to build partnerships but weren’t able to convert one into a big one as Australia kept chipping away through their spinners. Peake accounted for Taylor (39) and Zampa dismissed Craig Ervine (38) leaving Zimbabwe at 187 for 5 in the 37th over.
The pacers then got into action as Nathan Ellis sent Brad Evans back to the hut while Hazlewood picked up the wickets of Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri. Sikandar Raza’s fighting 45 came to an end as Connolly wrapped up the innings with two wickets, ending Zimbabwe’s innings in the 49th over.
Brief scores: Australia 356/6 in 50 overs (Travis Head 112, Cooper Connolly 78, Mitchell Marsh 53; Brad Evans 3-86) beat Zimbabwe 272 in 48.3 ovrs (Sikandar Raza 45; Cooper Connolly 2-25, Josh Hazlewood 2-48, Matt Renshaw 2-44) by 84 runs.
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