Zimbabwe rolled for 96 as Australia steams towards series victory

Zimbabwe was rolled for its lowest ODI score against Australia as Aaron Finch’s men raced towards a series victory in Townsville.

Mitchell Starc of Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Zimbabwe has been rolled for its lowest ODI score against Australia, recording a pitiful team total of 96 during Wednesday’s eight-wicket loss at Riverway Stadium.

Australian paceman Mitchell Starc and leg-spinner Adam Zampa both claimed three wickets in a clinical bowling display to put Aaron Finch’s men within touching distance of a series victory.

Zimbabwe veteran Sean Williams offered some resistance with the bat, top-scoring with a patient 29, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the tourists from being bowled out in less than 28 overs.

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Starc steamed through Zimbabwe’s top-order in the Powerplay to leave the visitors reeling at 3/14 in the seventh over.

After toppling Zimbabwe opener Innocent Kaia for 2 with a vicious inswinger, Starc trapped Wessly Madhevere on the front pad for a duck.

And the left-armer completed the trifecta when Tadiwanashe Marumani clipped a regulation catch to substitute fielder Marnus Labuschagne at square leg.

Starc suddenly boasted figures of 3/7, putting himself one breakthrough away from 200 ODI wickets.

“It’ll happen when it happens,” he laughed after the match.

Hazlewood was impeccable with his line and length, as always, beating the outside edge 12 times in six economical overs with the new ball.

Williams and Sikandar Raza steadied the ship, somewhat, combining for a 32-run partnership for the fourth wicket before the latter top-edged a Hazlewood bouncer on 17.

Zampa (3/21) and West Australian prodigy Cameron Green (2/7) cleaned up the tail, with the last five wickets falling for just 17 runs.

Although Zimbabwe was undeniably outclassed in the first ODI, their batters looked up to the task of combating Australia’s experienced bowling attack.

But it was a very different story on Wednesday.

Australia’s Mitchell Starc appeals successfully for LBW Photo by William WEST / AFP

“Zimbabwe never really looked comfortable,” Australian cricket great Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“Just the class of the Australian bowlers made it tough for them.”

Former Test batter Michael Hussey continued: “I thought the Australian bowlers took it up a notch from game one.

“There was a bit less wind so that had more control with the ball, they bowled a good line and length, there was certainly enough movement in there … a good performance from the Aussies.”

Australia needed 97 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, but their run chase started horrifically as Zimbabwe seamer Richard Ngarava removed both openers in the third over.

David Warner skied a catch to third man on 13 before under-fire captain Finch edged a length delivery to first slip for 1.

Finch has averaged 15.90 in ODI cricket since the start of 2021, with his hesitant footwork coming under the microscope ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“His footwork is not going to cut the mustard at any level at cricket,” former Australian captain Kim Hughes said of Finch on ABC Grandstand.

Despite growing calls for Finch to cop the axe, Starc threw his unwavering support behind the embattled skipper.

“It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on,” he told reporters after the win.

“He’ll find it, he’s played a lot of cricket. He’s got a fantastic white-ball record.

“He’s certainly got the backing of the group, and I’m sure he’ll find the runs in games to come.”

Warner and Finch both sent for an early shower 🛁

Zimbabwe start strongly with the ball 🏏 pic.twitter.com/NJX2hC0zet

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) August 31, 2022

Lowest ODI batting average for openers in 2022

15.90 — Aaron Finch (AUS)

17.22 — Muhammad Waseem (UAE)

18.53 — Kushal Bhurtel (NEP)

18.81 — Matthew Cross (SCO)

26.33 — Max O’Dowd (NED)

* Minimum 10 innings

After the early setback, No. 3 batter Steve Smith and wicketkeeper Alex Carey combined for an unbeaten 84-run partnership to guide Australia to a comfortable victory, reaching the target in less than 15 overs with a whopping 213 balls to spare.

Smith, who finished on 47 not out, smacked eight boundaries and a six over point to continue his impressive form in the 50-over format.

The 33-year-old has averaged 67.63 in ODI cricket since the start of 2020, which is bettered only by Pakistan captain Babar Azam during that period.

“I thought it was clinical by all of the bowlers,” Finch said after the triumph.

“The tone set by Starc and Hazlewood at the top of the innings was outstanding.”

The third ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe gets underway in Townsville on Saturday morning, with the first ball scheduled for 9.40am AEST.