Starc, Zampa help Australia steam roll Zimbabwe in second ODI

31.08.2022 - 09:33 channelnewsasia.com

TOWNSVILLE, Australia :Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa collected three wickets apiece in Australia's eight-wicket demolition of Zimbabwe in the second one-day international on Wednesday, giving the home side an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Townsville.After being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe were unable to repeat their respectable performance from game one, crumbling for 96 all out in 27.5 overs.

In reply, Australia peeled off 100-2 in 14.4 overs before a modest weekday crowd."Pretty clinical today," Starc said in the post-match news conference."Some guys are coming off some cricket, others are coming off a few weeks of no matches.

I think everyone's finding a nice rhythm."The left-armer recorded figures of 3-24 and bowled with pace to clean up Zimbabwe's top-order.

The unfancied tourists never recovered after losing 25-3 inside the first powerplay, including the wicket of Sunday's top-scorer, Wesley Madhevere, trapped lbw for nought.Zimbabwe's stated strategy of attacking the Australian bowlers unraveled when Sikandar Raza (17) and skipper Regis Chakabva (10) heaved needlessly, offering catching practice while the side was in a precarious position.The only resistance came from Sean Williams, returning from an elbow injury, who top-scored with 29 before leg-spinner Zampa (3-21) induced an edge.When the left-hander departed, Zimbabwe were reeling at 83-7 but the end came swiftly as Zampa combined with seamer Cameron Green to send the lower-order packing.Two overs after the innings break, seamer Richard Ngarava accounted for both of the Australia openers.

cricket bowling David Warner Cameron Green Aaron Finch Adam Zampa Sean Williams Richard Ngarava Australia Zimbabwe county Mitchell

Earlier this month, right-handed batter Aaron Finch decided to retire from ODI format and he bid farewell from the 50-over game after playing a three-match series against Zimbabwe. Off late, Finch has struggled in this particular format and hence his decision cannot be looked at as a major surprise. His retirement means that Australia are now looking for a new ODI captain and former skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Pat Cummins would go on helm the side in the 50-over format.

Australia's Finch ends ODI career with win on back of Smith century

A Steve Smith century helped give retiring Australia skipper Aaron Finch a winning send-off Sunday with a 25-run victory in the final one-day international against New Zealand at Cairns.

Australia vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: Steve Smith Stars With Ton As Australia Beat New Zealand In Finch's ODI Swansong

A Steve Smith century helped give retiring Australia skipper Aaron Finch a winning send-off Sunday with a 25-run victory in the final one-day international against New Zealand at Cairns. Chasing the home team's 267-5, built on the back of Smith's masterful 105, the Blacks Caps were all out for 242 in the last over with Mitchell Starc taking 3-60. It capped a disappointing Chappell-Hadlee series for the visitors. Australia won the opening game by two wickets before a 113-run thrashing of the Black Caps in the second.

Australia vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI Live Score Updates: New Zealand Opt To Bowl In Aaron Finch's Final ODI

Australia vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI Live Score Updates: New Zealand won the toss and opted to field against Australia in the third and final ODI on Sunday. Australia will look to register a series sweep over New Zealand when they take the field for the third and final ODI. On Saturday, skipper Aaron Finch had announced that he would be retiring from the format after the final ODI against New Zealand so Australia would look to send him out on a high. Australia already have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after having won the first two ODIs. Finch has himself had a series to forget as he was dismissed cheaply so he would look to go out on a high. (LIVE SCORECARD)

Watch: Comedy Of Errors Costs Australia Easy Run Out vs New Zealand

Australia beat New Zealand in the 2nd ODI on Thursday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. While they bowled New Zealand out for a paltry total of 82 to register a 113-run win, they did miss a golden run out opportunity early on in the visitors' innings. Defending 196, Mitchell Starc gave Australia the perfect start with the ball as he had Martin Guptill out in the first over. The very next delivery could have led to another dismissal, but Australia fluffed their lines.