Adam Zampa joined Shane Warne as only the second Australian spinner to claim 200 ODI wickets, while Travis Head marked his return to form with a century as Australia beat Zimbabwe by 84 runs in the second ODI at Harare to seal the series 2-0.Zampa reached the milestone after taking 2/62 in nine overs, dismissing Innocent Kaia and Craig Ervine as Australia successfully defended a target of 357. The leg-spinner became the seventh Australian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets, joining an elite group led by Glenn McGrath, who tops the country’s list with 380 scalps.
Zampa joins Warne in Australia’s elite spin club
Zampa has now taken 201 wickets in 123 ODIs at an average of 29.48. His tally includes 12 four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. Warne remains Australia’s leading ODI spinner with 291 wickets in 193 matches, while McGrath is the country’s highest overall wicket-taker in the format.
Travis Head returns to form with a century
Coming to the match, Head provided the foundation for Australia’s imposing total, smashing 112 off 84 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes. The left-hander also crossed the 9,000-run mark in international cricket during his innings.Head has now scored 9,111 runs in 201 international matches and 243 innings at an average of 40.31 and a strike rate of 87.08. His record includes 20 centuries and 43 half-centuries, with a highest score of 175. He shared a 130-run opening partnership with skipper Mitchell Marsh, who scored 53 off 63 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Head then added 60 runs with Cooper Connolly, who contributed 78 off 69 deliveries.A late flourish from Oliver Peake, who struck an unbeaten 41 off just 18 balls, lifted Australia to 356/6. Brad Evans was Zimbabwe’s leading bowler, finishing with figures of 3/56.
Zimbabwe fall short despite starts from top order
Chasing 357, Zimbabwe’s top-six batters got starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. The hosts slipped to 187/5, leaving them with too much to do. Sikandar Raza top-scored with 45 off 49 balls, while Brendan Taylor made 39 off 40 and Craig Ervine scored 38 off 39. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 272 in 48.3 overs.Josh Hazlewood, Connolly, Matthew Renshaw and Zampa took two wickets each as Australia secured an 84-run victory. The win gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one ODI still to play.
