ZIM vs AUS 2nd ODI: Head, Connolly star in series win for Australia over Zimbabwe

Travis Head struck three sixes and 15 fours during his knock of 112 against Zimbabwe. | Photo Credit: AP

Travis Head struck 112 to lead an Australia charge in a series-clinching 84-run win over Zimbabwe in the second one-day international in Harare on Friday.

Zimbabwe’s decision to insert the Australians after winning the toss backfired badly as the tourists made 356-6 in 50 overs, their highest ODI score against the southern African nation, for a 2-0 series lead.

Head was not the only Australian to star as Cooper Connolly (78) and captain Mitchell Marsh (53) both made half-centuries while Oliver Peake clubbed a quickfire 41.

In reply, Zimbabwe posted 272 in 48.3 overs with 40-year-old captain Sikandar Raza top scoring with 45. However, the hosts never came close to matching the required run rate.

ZIM vs AUS, 2nd ODI - Scorecard

“It was nice to spend some time in the middle and spend some time out there with Mitch (Marsh),” said player-of-the-match award winner Head.

“We did not train for a couple of days which was good actually. We had done a fair bit of training going into the series. It was nice to be fresh. We just tried to be aggressive.”

Head, who was dismissed for just four in the first Harare ODI, hit three sixes and 15 fours off 84 deliveries.

The 32-year-old opener from Adelaide took 75 balls to reach 100, an ODI record for an Australian against Zimbabwe.

His knock lifted the visitors to 190-2 before he lofted a Wessly Madhevere delivery out to short cover where substitute Ryan Burl took the catch.

Connolly hit a second half century of the series. His 69-ball stand included three sixes and three fours before a top edge off Brad Evans was caught by Brendan Taylor at short fine leg.

Marsh had his off stump uprooted by Wellington Masakadza after a patient innings laced with three sixes and three fours.

In a fiery finish to the innings, 19-year-old Peake slammed 41 off 18 balls, including three sixes in the final over from Evans which went for 24.

Batting at No. 6, Raza struck five fours before hitting Connolly down the ground to Matt Renshaw at long off.

The series concludes on Sunday at Harare Sports Club with Australia seeking a sweep. It then heads to South Africa, where it will play three ODIs from September 24, and three Tests.