Aus vs Zim 2nd ODI: Travis Head’s stormy century, Australia beat Zimbabwe by 84 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Riding on the aggressive century of opener Travis Head (112) and half centuries by captain Mitchell Marsh (53) and Cooper Connolly (fifty), Australia defeated Zimbabwe by 84 runs in the second ODI. With this win, the visiting Kangaroo team has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series. The third and final match of the series will be played on Sunday, 20 September.

Aus vs Zim 2nd ODI: Travis Head smashes century as Australia beat Zimbabwe by 84 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Australia posted a massive total of 356 runs.

Australia, batting first after losing the toss, posted a mammoth total of 356 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head gave the team a strong start, adding 130 runs for the first wicket in 114 balls. This partnership was broken by Wellington Masakadza in the 19th over when he bowled Marsh (53 runs from 63 balls). Cooper Connolly, who then came to the crease, shared a 60-run partnership with Head for the second wicket. Head scored 112 runs in just 84 balls, with the help of 15 fours and 3 sixes. Lower down the order, Oliver Peake played a quickfire unbeaten 41 runs off 18 balls, while Josh Inglis contributed 21 and Alex Carey 20.

Zimbabwe were all out for 272 in reply to a target of 357.

Chasing a mammoth target of 357 runs, Zimbabwe were all out for 272 runs in 48.3 overs. The host team’s top order started well, but none of the batsmen could convert it into a big innings. Captain Sikandar Raza scored the highest 45 runs. Apart from him, Brendan Taylor scored 39, Craig Ervine 38 and Innocent Kaia contributed 34 runs. Disciplined bowling was seen from Australia’s side. Josh Hazlewood, Cooper Connolly, Adam Zampa and Matt Renshaw took 2-2 wickets, while Nathan Ellis and Oliver Peak got 1-1 success.

Match impact and future schedule

Following their victory in the first ODI, Australia’s impressive 84-run win in the second match gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Zimbabwe’s bowlers’ lack of runs in the final overs and their batsmen’s inability to convert a good start into a big score were the main reasons for their defeat. The final match of the three-match series between the two teams will be played on Sunday, September 20.