Big picture – Zimbabwe try to close the gap
“You’re not going to get runs every game,” Head said. “My role in the team is to be aggressive at the top. I’m not always going to go out and be as consistent as I would love to be. I want to put bowlers under pressure. That’s going to come with some risk every now and then.”
The batters had few problems making starts, but much greater ones converting them: seven of the top eight reached 23, but Sikandar Raza’s 45 was the top score. Zimbabwe’s 272 was the fourth-highest ODI total not to include a half-century. Four years ago, when they toured Australia, they were comfortably beaten in the first two matches of the ODI series before conjuring victory in the final outing. They would dearly like a repeat.
Zimbabwe LLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia WWWLL
In the spotlight: Brian Bennett and Josh Inglis
Team news: Green in line to return
Zimbabwe may consider mixing things up with the series decided. It could be an opportunity to give youngster Tadiwanashe Marumani an outing, although the current top order is probably the strongest available from the squad. They also have legspinners Ryan Burl and Graeme Creamer if they opt for a different bowling balance.
Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Ben Curran, 3 Innocent Kaia, 4 Brendan Taylor (wk), 5 Craig Ervine, 6 Sikandar Raza (capt), 7 Wessly Madhevere, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Newman Nyamburi, 10 Wellington Masakadza, 11 Blessing Muzarabani
Australia (probable) 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Travis Head, 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Cameron Green, 6 Matt Renshaw, 7 Ollie Peake, 8 Nathan Ellis, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Spencer Johnson
Pitch and conditions: More runs on offer
The general consensus was that the pitch for the second match was more conducive to free-flowing batting than the first was. There has been some early movement in both games, although perhaps not to the extent envisaged by the early starts. The spinners have found some assistance at times.
