Zimbabwe dismantled for 96 as clinical Australia seal the series

Australian team celebrating [PC: Twitter]

A clinical bowling effort from the home side ensured a thumping victory by 8 wickets. With that win, Australia have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series. 

This time around, a better performance was expected from Zimbabwe, but the visitors crumbled under pressure and were never really in the contest. Australia won the toss and elected to field first on a wicket that offered something for the pace bowlers.

Innocent Kaia (2), Tadiwanashe Marumani (4), and Wesley Madhevere (0) departed in quick succession, and at one stage the visitors were tottering at 14 for 3. However, the duo of Sean Williams and the man in form, Sikandar Raza, resurrected the sinking ship and took the attack to the opposition.

But Australia roared back once again and Hazlewood broke the 4th wicket partnership of 32. Once Raza departed, Zimbabwe fell like a pack of cards and collapsed for a mere 96. For the Aussies, Starc and Zampa were the pick of the bowlers, with 3-wickets each.

A relatively easy chase for the Kangaroos

Warner in action

In their pursuit, Australia lost both the openers Warner (13), Finch (1), in the powerplay. This gave Zimbabwe a ray of hope, but the experience of Steve Smith, alongside the cool headed Alex Carey ensured that their were no more hiccups as the home side cruised past the total with 8 wickets in hand. 

Richard Ngarava bowled his heart out and scalped 2 crucial wickets, but that was never going to be enough to seal a memorable comeback.

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe: 96/10 (27.5)

Sean williams 29 (45), Sikandar Raza 17 (37); Adam Zampa 3/21

Australia: 100/2 (14.4)

Steve Smith 47 (41), Alex Carey 26 (33); Richard Ngarava 2/16

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