Cricket News: Australia defeated Zimbabwe in the 2nd ODI by eight wickets

    The game was dusted in the first inning only when Australian bowlers demolished Zimbabwe's batting line-up at 96

    Mitchell Starc Image credit: SALive Image Mitchell Starc

    Mitchell Starc exploited the Australian pitch that offered extra bounce from the first over by reducing the visiting side to 3-14 in 6.1 overs. Having lost their top three batters, Zimbabwe got a 32-run stand at the 4th wicket between Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza. But Josh Hazlewood dismissed their key scorer Sikandar Raza (17) for a short ball.

    After Sikandar Raza's fall, Sean William tried to hold the innings from one end, but wickets kept falling. Cameron Green and Adam Zampa gave no chance to the middle or lower order to build solid-run partnerships. Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa returned with three wickets each as they bundled Zimbabwe at 96 in 27.5 overs.

    Aaron Finch said, "I thought it was clinical by the bowlers. The tone set by Starc and Hazlewood, then Starc, Green and Zampa - couldn't have asked for anything better today."

    As the target of 97 was no big deal for Australia to be chased in a 50-over format, opener David Warner (13) and Aaron Finch (1) fell cheaply to Richard Ngarva in the third over. In no mood to hold his play on the back foot, Steven Smith played his shots, attacking with a fearless approach. Conversely, Alex Carey complimented Steven Smith for surviving a couple of close shots. They both closed the 2nd ODI win by chasing the target in 14.4 overs.

    Regis Chakabva "We always want to play against the best, we are always looking for this kind of test. The first game went okay, lot of learnings to take and looking forward to the next one."

    The third and final ODI will happen in three days at the same place. Zimbabwe will try to win one, but Australia is already in high momentum.

     

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