Townsville (Queensland) Aug 31 : Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc grabbed three wickets as the hosts beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets in an uninspiring match to take the second One-day International here and take an unbeatable advantage in the series of three matches starting on Wednesday.Based on the figures of 3-24, the 32-year-old Starc is one wicket shy of becoming the sixth Australian bowler to score 200 men’s ODI wickets , even as the Kangaroos have jumped ahead of West Indies on the path to automatic qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
Starc was the main force in this match as Australia took on Zimbabwe with just 96 runs in 27.5 overs with the pacer taking Innocent Kaia, Wesley Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Maromani in the first four overs, and limiting Zimbabwe to 14/3.Regis Chakabva’s team were not able to recover, and were eventually they were bowled out for less than a 100 total.
In response, Australia lost David Warner and Aaron Finch early before they were able to reclaim the goal in only 14.4 overs.Both Australian wickets were lost to left-arm fast Richard Ngarava (2/16).
Ngarava also hit an outside edge of Steve Smith’s bat but the ball was able to fly through a fielder who was waiting at the back of the point.Smith continued to take care of the ball chase, finishing with unbeaten 47 (41 balls) and was accompanied by Alex Carey (26 not out off 33 balls) as the hosts sailed to the goal with ease.
The win boosted the Aussies up to 90 points in the Super League table, overtaking the West Indies (88 points) and advancing to seventh position.The eight top teams at the conclusion of the competition will head straight into India to host the 2023 World Cup, with the lowest five teams moving on into the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, to be held in Zimbabwe next year as per ICC.
A victory against Zimbabwe in the third ODI will likely propel the Australians to sixth position, while Zimbabwe will play in the Qualifier at home.
Brief score: Zimbabwe 96 in 27.5 overs (Mitchell Starc 3/24, Adam Zampa 3/21, Cameron Green 2/7) lost to Australia 100/2 in 14.4 overs (Steven Smith 47 not out; Richard Ngarava 2/16) by eight wickets.
The majority of men’s ODI wickets are for Australia
Glenn McGrath — 380 wickets – 1993-2007
Brett Lee — 380 wickets — 2000-2012
Shane Warne — 291 wickets – 1993-2003
Mitchell Johnson — 239 wickets 2005-2015
Craig McDermott — 203 wickets — 1985-1995
Mitchell Starc — 199 wickets (till date) — 2010-2022.
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