Starc, Zampa help Australia steam roll Zimbabwe for second successive win

Australia’s Mitchell Starc (centre) celebrates with teammates after dismissing Innocent Kaia during the second one-day international against Zimbabwe at the Riverway Stadium in Townsville yesterday. (AFP)

Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa collected three wickets apiece in Australia’s eight-wicket demolition of Zimbabwe in the second one-day international yesterday, giving the home side an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Townsville.After being sent in to bat, Zimbabwe were unable to repeat their respectable performance from game one, crumbling for 96 all out in 27.5 overs. In reply, Australia peeled off 100-2 in 14.4 overs before a modest weekday crowd.“Pretty clinical today,” Starc said in the post-match news conference. “Some guys are coming off some cricket, others are coming off a few weeks of no matches. I think everyone’s finding a nice rhythm.”The left-armer recorded figures of 3-24 and bowled with pace to clean up Zimbabwe’s top-order. The unfancied tourists never recovered after losing 25-3 inside the first powerplay, including the wicket of Sunday’s top-scorer, Wesley Madhevere, trapped lbw for nought.Zimbabwe’s stated strategy of attacking the Australian bowlers unraveled when Sikandar Raza (17) and skipper Regis Chakabva (10) heaved needlessly, offering catching practice while the side was in a precarious position.The only resistance came from Sean Williams, returning from an elbow injury, who top-scored with 29 before leg-spinner Zampa (3-21) induced an edge.When the left-hander departed, Zimbabwe were reeling at 83-7 but the end came swiftly as Zampa combined with seamer Cameron Green to send the lower-order packing.Two overs after the innings break, seamer Richard Ngarava accounted for both of the Australia openers. David Warner (13) was caught low to the ground by Brad Evans at third man.Without the burden of scoreboard pressure, Steve Smith (47 not out) and Alex Carey (26 not out) batted fluently to chase down the remaining runs. The third and final match between the two teams will be played in Townsville on Saturday. BRIEF SCORESZimbabwe 96 all out, 27.5 overs (S. Williams 29, S. Raza 17; Adam Zampa 3-21, M. starc 3-24, C. Green 2-7) lost to Australia 100-2, 14.4 overs (S. Smith 47 not out, A Carey 26 not out; Richard Ngarava 2-16)by eight wicketsSeries: Australia lead three-match series 2-0