Australia Clinches Series After Defeating Zimbabwe By 8-Wickets In Second ODI

Australia need only 97 runs to wrap up the series against Zimbabwe after star quick Mitchell Starc tore through the tourists' top order in the second one-day international on Wednesday in Townsville.

Captain Aaron Finch's decision to bowl for the second straight match paid off as a red-hot Starc relished the seaming conditions at Riverway Stadium to take 3-24 and Zimbabwe were routed within 28 overs.

The hosts claimed a comfortable five-wicket victory in Townsville on Sunday in the first series between the teams in Australia since 2004.

Zimbabwe openers Innocent Kaia and Tadiwanashe Marumani impressed in game one after defying Australia's star-studded attack for the first 10 overs.

But Kaia couldn't replicate that effort and was bowled for two by a superb in-swinging yorker from Starc in the third over.

Left-armer Starc was on a roll when he had Wessly Madhevere, coming off an ODI high score of 72, trapped lbw and Marumani caught at forward square leg to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 14-3.

Underdogs Zimbabwe, in their first ODI series against Australia in eight years, desperately needed experienced duo Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza to build a partnership.

Returning from an elbow injury, Williams showed intent with a boundary off the first delivery from left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, who replaced injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in Australia's only change.

Raza, who starred recently against India at home, started slowly before breaking the shackles in the 15th over with a boundary and then six off quick Josh Hazlewood.

But Raza's attempts at another lusty blow proved fatal and he holed out for 17.

Zimbabwe's hopes of a competitive total nosedived when Williams fell rashly for 29 in the 24th over.

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Towering Cameron Green continued his stellar form, adding two wickets to his career best 5-33 in game one, while spinner Adam Zampa cleaned up the tail to finish with 3-21.