HARARE - Australia clinched the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe with an emphatic 84-run victory in the second match in Harare on Friday, riding on a blistering century from opener Travis Head and a record-breaking batting performance. Put into bat after Zim­babwe won the toss, Australia piled up 356 for six in their 50 overs at Harare Sports Club, their highest-ever ODI to­tal against Zimbabwe, before restrict­ing the hosts to 272 in 48.3 overs. Head was the architect of Australia’s imposing total, smashing 112 off just 84 deliveries, including 15 fours and three sixes. The left-hander, who man­aged only four runs in the opening ODI, raced to his century off 75 balls, regis­tering an Australian ODI record for the fastest hundred against Zimbabwe.

Head shared an opening stand of 130 with captain Mitchell Marsh, who con­tributed a composed 53 from 63 balls. The visitors continued to dominate after Marsh’s departure, with Cooper Connolly producing another fluent half-century. Connolly struck 78 from 69 deliveries, including three sixes and three fours, to register his second consecutive fifty of the series. His partnership with Head further strengthened Australia’s position before Zimbabwe fought back with wickets.

The visitors, however, finished in spectacular fashion. Teenage batter Oliver Peake smashed an unbeaten 41 from only 18 balls, including three six­es in the final over, as Australia added a late surge to reach 356. Brad Evans was Zimbabwe’s most successful bowl­er with three wickets but conceded 86 runs from his nine overs.

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Zimbabwe struggled from the outset in their chase, reaching only 50 after 14 overs as Australia’s disciplined bowling attack kept the required run rate beyond their reach. Captain Sikandar Raza top-scored with 45, while veteran Brendan Taylor made 39, but Zimbabwe never threatened to complete the chase.

Adam Zampa claimed two wickets for 62 runs to move beyond the 200-wicket mark in ODIs, while Josh Hazlewood, re­turning from injury, took two for 48 in nine overs. The Australian attack shared the wickets after Billy Stanlake left the field injured. Head, who was named play­er of the match, said Australia benefited from arriving fresh after reducing their training workload ahead of the game. The victory gives Australia an unassail­able 2-0 lead, with the third and final ODI scheduled for Sunday. Australia will then travel to South Africa for a three-match ODI series beginning in Durban on Sep­tember 24, followed by three Tests.

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