Travis Head's century seals ODI series for Australia
Travis Head's 75-ball century powered Australia to a 84-run win over Zimbabwe, clinching the ODI series with one match still to play.
Head's hundred came off just 75 balls. Mitchell Marsh added 53, his 21st ODI half-century as captain, and Cooper Connolly made 78, his third successive score of 50 or more in the format. Australia posted 356 for 6.
Zimbabwe never threatened the chase. Five of their top six batters passed 30, but none went on: Sikandar Raza top-scored with 45, while Brendan Taylor made 39 and Craig Ervine 38, both at almost a run a ball against tight spin. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 272 in 48.3 overs.
It is Australia's first ODI series in Zimbabwe in 12 years, and their 356 is the highest ODI total any Australian side has posted against Zimbabwe. They had already won the opener by 59 runs.
Josh Hazlewood took 2 for 48 with the new ball, one of two changes to the Australian attack. The other, Billy Stanlake, left the field in his fifth over with a side strain. Matt Renshaw removed both openers, Brian Bennett (23) and Ben Curran (30), in his first two overs after the powerplay.
Adam Zampa bowled Innocent Kaia (34) with a googly to reach 200 ODI wickets, then had Ervine caught by Marsh at short third man off a mistimed reverse sweep, finishing with 2 for 62. Connolly took two wickets in successive balls to end the innings, Raza holing out to long-off before No. 11 Blessing Muzarabani was bowled.
Raza had won the toss and chosen to bowl, expecting his pace attack to make use of early moisture. The decision did not pay off, and Australia are expected to complete a series sweep in the third ODI on Sunday.
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