Steve Smith and Alex Carey have delivered a winning partnership as Australia sealed their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe with a comfortable eight-wicket win with 212 balls to spare.
Chasing a paltry 97 runs, openers David Warner and Aaron made the home side’s intentions clear in the second over when they blasted 13 runs, before both men fell in the third to seamer Richard Ngarava (2-16).
“It was just clinical from Australia’s bowlers,” said Fox Cricket Brad Haddin in reviewing the carnage.
Finch’s woes against left-arm pacemen continued, edging to first slip for one, while Warner was also out caught, out for 13 off nine deliveries.
Alex Carey jumps over Wessly Madhevere. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
“It was a little bit disappointing here from Aaron Finch, he’s got out twice in the same way, caught on the crease with his bat coming from third slip and not on a straight angle. He’s been in this situation before, he knows how to get out of it,” Haddin added.
But that was to be the only blight on a convincing performance in Townsville as Smith (47 not out), who said in the lead up he’s playing with a freeness to his game, hit his second consecutive unbeaten knock to steer Australia 2-0 up in the series with one game to play. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey finished unbeaten on 26.
Mitchell Starc says Australia’s mindset won’t change after taking a unassailable 2-0 lead over Zimbabwe in their three match ODI series, with a hunger for more momentum.
“We’ve seen through the first two games with the earlier start there’s been a fraction more in the wicket,” Starc said.
“That being said it’s been a bit of extra bounce, been quite slow off the surface and a bit of swing. So bowling first seems to be the option.
“We’ve got three day-night games coming up against New Zealand pretty quickly , we’ve still got that mindset of winning this series three-nil.”
Australia were in the drivers seat early after bowling the visitors out inside 28 overs at Riverway Stadium on Wednesday morning.
Skipper Finch won the toss and put Zimbabwe in to bat first for the second time this series, and again it was Australia’s seamers who did the damage.
Mitchell Starc struck in the third over, clean bowling opener Innocent Kaia before he claimed two more scalps inside seven overs to leave the visitors 3-25.
Starc (3-24) is now on the precipice of registering 200 ODI wickets in his 101 matches.
It got even worse when dangerman Sikandar Raza fell to Josh Hazlewood (1-16).
Raza, along with Zimbabwe’s top order struggled to get any momentum at the crease as Australia’s quicks bowled at the stumps to leave the run rate hovering well under three an over.
The visitors’ final five wickets fell for 36 runs with the returning Sean Williams top-scoring with 29.
Legspinner Adam Zampa got Williams’s wicket and two of their tail-enders to finish with 3-21 in back-to-back three-wicket hauls.
Allrounder Cameron Green finished with 2-7 off three overs after his five wickets on Sunday, while left-arm offspinner Ashton Agar (1-5) claimed the other wicket.
Ace
Roar Rookie
A bit late replying Don but we were talking about ODI's not T20. Smith is certainly not slow and Marnus is not that slow either and he could be the anchor man at the top that's lacking particularly with Finch's not so impressive form .. as it has been for some time now.
Chum
Roar Rookie
He didn't get to choose this time, that's my only defence but yes I was expecting a notificaton on this post when I logged in
Targa
Roar Rookie
Famous last words.
Targa
Roar Rookie
C'mon Zimbabwe! Great bowling performance in the 3rd ODI. Hopefully Ryan Burl can hit the winning runs.
Chufortah
Guest
Aussie cricket - is it still a thing? So sad that it’s not even on the radar - servicing only those with an interest and no longer growing the game. Cricket will die here, it won’t go away, but my once strong culture has been sold to the highest bidder. Change is ok, but CA have signed their death warrant with Pay TV. Can’t wait for 1584828384 games of meaningless Big Bash… not.
sivadineshk070@gmail.com
Guest
super
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I much preferred the scene in the Castle Anthrax. "Oh, Zoot, oh naughty, naughty Zoot!"
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
Smith too slow? He has an average strike rate of 87 or 88 and all his tons have been scored at close to or better than a run a ball, and a decent amount of them have been in run chases of above par targets. Smith is one of our best one day batsmen ever.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Not sure we need to change too much when the boys have smashed Rhodesia pretty comfortably. Maybe open the bowling and batting with Sean Abbott. That's the only change I'd make
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I was referring to give Fincy time comment
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Only one of Marnus or Smithy. Both too slow.
Ace
Roar Rookie
A ridiculous situation having him at 8. He would have an influence at 4,5 or 6 A couple of names before him eg; Finch and Stoinis have worn out their welcome In an ODI the team they ought to have Labuschagne in there as an opener They would still have depth with Marsh and Maxwell for lower bash
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Green is absolutely a top order batsman. Why limit him because he bowls? We already have the absolutely ridiculous situation of Carey at 4 ahead of better, tighter, more aggressive and more innovative batsmen. Here's an idea. Send the batsmen in first. Here's another idea: let Agar and Green bowl ahead of Stoinis.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Davey's form is just as bad. If the Zims could catch his first game would have not been much either.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Nothing pointless here
matth
Roar Guru
Apart from giving Zim some exposure and experience.
matth
Roar Guru
I can see Stoinus making was for David in T20’s, not sure who in the 50 over game
matth
Roar Guru
Green, no need to push to open plus bowl a full complement yet
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Plenty of other guys could do it in fairness. Maxwell, Carey and Mitch Marsh have all captained at state/BBL level. Head would be the direct replacement for Finch and has captained SA too. Finch is hanging on for dear life.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
You are correct Don, Green could easily bat a lot higher. Finch is literally hanging on and I think the T20 World cup should be his final tournament. It's a luxury to have Green at 8, but it doesn't really suit his batting, number 5 would be ideal