Australia were too good for Zimbabwe in the first of their three-match ODI series on Sunday, riding some dominant bowling from Cameron Green in a five-wicket victory.
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, the Australians clearly felt their bowling attack could restrict Zimbabwe to a manageable total, but the tourists started well in Townsville.
Zimbabwe’s openers safely navigated the opening 10 overs, before Innocent Kala was caught and bowled by Mitchell Marsh to make it 42-1, but the partnership of Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wessly Madhevere looked resolute.
Australian quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood would have felt they were unlucky to not take any wickets in their opening spell, but despite some loose shots and near-catches, Zimbabwe built a healthy platform of 87-1.
Marumani ended up playing all around a straight one from Adam Zampa to be dismissed on 45 from 61 deliveries, and once he was gone, Madhevere starting losing running-mates quickly.
Six of the last seven batsmen to come to the middle were dismissed for no more than seven runs, with Regis Chakabva’s 31 from 33 deliveries the last piece of resistance before Madhevere was caught and bowled by Zampa on 72 from 91.
Career-best ODI figures for Cameron Green 🙌
Watch: https://t.co/pZp7c8Z6aj #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/24GUxFDFPt
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 28, 2022
A late onslaught from the Aussie attack turned 185-4 into 200 all out, as Cameron Green rattled off five quick wickets to clean up the tail, finishing with figures of 5-33 from nine overs. Zampa was Australia’s only other multiple wicket-taker, collecting 3-57.
With such a low target required, the Australians knew they could take their time, as evidenced by their top three batsmen all going at a pace slower than a run-per-ball.
David Warner controlled proceedings early, surviving a close third-umpire referral when the Zimbabwe wicket keeper was convinced he heard a feathery touch, going on to score 57 from 66 deliveries before being bowled.
Steve Smith came in at three and was far from in a hurry, methodically playing his way to 48 from 80 deliveries, before Glenn Maxwell came in at seven to race towards the finish.
Maxwell only saw nine deliveries, but he sent three to the rope along the ground, and three for six on his way to a rapid unbeaten 32 finishing the game with a big six in the 34th over.
Ryan Burl was expensive for Zimbabwe with the ball, giving up 60 runs in seven overs, but took three wickets, claiming the scalps of Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey and Marsh.
What a way to win it!
Glenn Maxwell was wasting no time #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/v2BoaKgTqc
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 28, 2022
The second match of the series will take place on Wednesday, with the third scheduled for Saturday.
Source:livescore