ZIM vs AUS 2nd ODI Commentary - Harare (18 September 2026)

Fires in a yorker, on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza digs it back to the bowler.

OUT! TAKEN! Cooper Connolly gets among the wickets. He floats it up, full and around off. Sikandar Raza backs away and tries to mow it down the ground but fails to get fully underneath it. He does not get the elevation as the ball flies straight to long off, where Matt Renshaw takes a safe reverse-cup catch. Australia just one wicket away from the win now.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Cooper Connolly wraps things up with back-to-back wickets. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 84 RUNS! This is the arm ball, full and on middle, angling in a bit. Blessing Muzarabani has a wild slog across the line but misses it completely as the ball goes through to rattle the stumps behind. Australia take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Floated, short and on off, Sikandar Raza forces it down to long off for a single.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Wellington Masakadza clips it through square leg for a run.

Flatter, full and on middle, Sikandar Raza tries to slog it away but gets an inside edge towards square leg for one.

Flighted, full and on leg, Wellington Masakadza uses his feet and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Uppish but safe! A googly, full and on off, turns away. Wellington Masakadza goes down to sweep it away but gets a top edge. It flies over te bowler's head and Zamps runs backwards but fails to reach it. They cross.

Zampa sees the batter advance, drags his length back and just outside off. Sikandar Raza reaches out and punches it through covers for one.

Floated, full and on middle, Sikandar Raza drills it down to long on but denies the single.

Flatter, short and on middle, Sikandar Raza pats it back to the bowler.

A bit quicker, full and on leg, Sikandar Raza goes down for the big slog sweep but loses his shape and misses to get hit on the pads.

Darts this one, full and on leg, Sikandar Raza swipes it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square leg for a single.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Wellington Masakadza uses his feet and lofts it to long on for a run.

Fires in a yorker, on middle, Sikandar Raza backs away and drills it to sweeper cover for one more.

Floated, short and on leg, Sikandar Raza nudges it towards short fine for a single.

Short again and around off, Wellington Masakadza punches it through covers for a run.

Dragged back, on off, Sikandar Raza flat-bats it down to long off for another run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Wellington Masakadza gets down on one knee and reverse paddles it past short third for a brace.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, turns in. Wellington Masakadza moves back to flick it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

FOUR! Nice shot! Adam Zampa drops it short again, outside off. Wellington Masakadza backs away a bit, extends his arms and slaps it past extra covers for a boundary.

Length ball on middle, heaved across the line and towards cow corner. It's a long boundary out there, so Madhevere doesn't pick up the boundary as the long on fielder cuts it off to his right and keeps it down to two runs.

That's stellar fielding from Travis Head. Short and wide outside off, slashed away wide of deep third. Head runs across and puts in a horizontal dive to make a fine stop and keeps it down to two runs.

WIDE! Dug in well short and around off, Madhevere goes to pull but the ball flies over his head.

FOUR! A smart shot from Madhevere. Hazlewood brings short third inside the ring and bowls a short and wide one, albeit slower. Madhevere gets on his toes and lifts it over backward point for a boundary.

WIDE! Full and just slanted down leg, Madhevere misses the flick and a wide is called.

OUT! LBW! A loud appeal for LBW, and it's been given. Wessly Madhevere is quick to review as well. Josh Hazlewood comes a bit wider on the crease, bowling it on a length and honing in on the stumps. Madhevere gets inside the line to flick but misses and wears it on the pads as the ball rolls to short third. The third umpire checks UltraEdge first and finds no bat involved. Ball Tracking shows the wickets as umpire's call, which means Madhevere has to walk back.

A direct hit might have been close, but instead, it's an extra run for the batter. Fullish length, swinging back in from around off. Newman Nyamhuri gets it high on the bat towards mid off and sets off for the single. The throw at the bowler's end is wide and it rolls down to fine leg as there's no one backing up and Nyamhuri picks up a brace.

OUT! CLEANS HIM UP! Josh Hazlewood nails the straight yorker, landing it right at the base of the middle stump. Newman Nyamhuri backs away past the leg stump, trying to make room and hit through the off side, but he's well beaten. The ball beats the bat and goes on to make a mockery of the stumps behind. Australia are just two wickets away from the win now.

That's deadly accurate from Ellis. Raza backs away early and Ellis pushes the yorker wide outside the off stump, landing it centimeters inside the tramline and Raza can't get to it.

WIDE! Doesn't quite come off this time for Ellis. A leg-cutter, bowled into the pitch and deviating away past the tramline outside off. Left alone by Raza.

Full and angled into the pads, Raza digs it out to short fine leg and picks up a single

Slower delivery outside off, Madhevere waits back and opens the bat face, guiding it down to deep third for one more.

Should have been put away. A low full toss on middle and leg, Raza walks inside the line and clips it straight to Josh Hazlewood at deep backward square leg for a single. A few inches on either side and that could have been a boundary.

FOUR! Madhevere is showing the full range here. Shorter over off and middle, Madhevere shuffles to the off side and scoops it straight back over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Full and wide outside off, squeezed away to deep cover for a single.

Good length on off, Raza skips down the track and completely mishits it to mid off for just a single.

Fuller and angled back in from outside off. Madhevere gets a stride across and runs it down to deep third for one more.

WIDE! Too high. Banged in halfway down the pitch and around off stump. Raza just sees it sail over his head.

That's a beauty from 'The Hoff.' A yorker, just outside off, tailing back in late as well. Sikandar Raza tries to dig it out through the off side but is beaten on the inside edge.

Hazlewood shortens the length, angling it in towards the hips. Raza misses the flick and the ball goes off the thigh pad to backward square leg for a leg bye. Actually, it is given as runs, so maybe there was an inside edge on it.

FOUR! Up and over! Fuller in length and on middle, Madhevere takes the front leg out and hits through the line, getting it up and to the left of mid on for a boundary.

FOUR! A lovely shot from Madhevere this time. Full-pitched delivery outside off, Madhevere plants his front foot ahead and creams it past extra cover for another boundary.

Pace off from Ellis to begin with. Bowled back of a length and outside off, following the batter. Evans shuffles across andtries the scoop but misses.

OUT! CAUGHT! A first wicket for a seamer in this innings. Nathan Ellis goes pace-on this time, landing it on a good length and pushing it outside the line of off stump. Brad Evans moves across to the off side and heaves across the line, getting a lot more height than distance on it. Cooper Connolly comes in from the mid-wicket fence and pouches it safely. Zimbabwe are now 218/6.

A skiddy short ball over leg. Wessly Madhevere pulls it down to fine leg for a single.

Slow and short, outside off. Raza hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a run.

Pitched up on the fifth stump line. Madhevere leans on and drives it on the up, wide of sweeper cover and the batters hustle back for the second run.

The leg-cutter from Ellis, landing it on a good length around off, and the ball grips a bit as well. Madhevere looks to get forward but adjusts and fends it behind point.

Back of a length, angled back in from outside off. Raza hangs back and stabs it down to point.

Smartly bowled. A full and wide one from Josh, and Raza isn't ready for it. Raza swings late at it and is beaten past the inside edge. A hint of reverse swing as well.

Beaten again, and it becomes three dots in a row. Good length, in the channel, nips back in a bit. Sikandar Raza has a swipe across the line but gets beaten past the inside edge again.

Make that four dots in a row when the required rate is hovering around 15 runs an over. Hard length and wide outside off, Raza punches it down to cover.

This is sensational stuff from Hazlewood. A wide yorker now, Raza reaches for it and loses his shape, hitting it straight to the cover fielder yet again.

Would you believe it? A maiden over from Josh Hazlewood! Josh hits a hard length, keeping it wide of the off stump. Raza leans back and smacks it down to the cover-point fielder.

Flatter, full and on off, Sikandar Raza pushes it through covers for a singe.

Floated, shortish and on middle, Brad Evans pats it to the left of the bowler.

Tossed up, full and around middle, Brad Evans goes down and sweeps it wide of deep square leg for a brace.

Fires this one, full and on middle, Brad Evans jams it out to long on for a run.

Flighted, full and around off, Sikandar Raza drills it through covers for one.

Dragged back, outside off, Brad Evans cuts it away to point.

FOUR! Put away! Short and outside off, Sikandar Raza uses the width on offer and cuts it away through backward point for a boundary. 200 UP FOR ZIMBABWE!

FOUR! Two in two! Flatter delivery, full and around off. Sikandar Raza collapses his back knee, uses his bottom hand and smacks it through covers for four more runs. Zimbabwe are looking to get a move on now.

Floated, full and on middle, Sikandar Raza drills it to long on for a single.

Put down! A fine effort, though! Tossed up, full and around off, Brad Evans backs away and throws his hands at it. He slices it up in the air towards point, where Matt Renshaw leaps up and and tries to grab it with his outstretched right hand but the ball just pops out. They cross.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Adam Zampa flights it up, full and around off. Sikandar Raza slashes hard at it and gets an outside edge that races to the third man fence for yet another boundary.

Quicker, full and on off, Sikandar Raza makes room and drives it to sweeper cover for one more. 15 runs off the over!

Floated, full and around middle, Sikandar Raza goes down and has a big swipe across the line but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Flatter, short and on middle, Sikandar Raza gets rushed and stabs it out to short mid-wicket.

Quicker, full and on leg, Sikandar Raza whips it to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Nice use of the feet! Matt Renshaw gives this one some more air, full and on off. Brad Evans skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and tonks it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Dragged back, on leg, Brad Evans works it towards short fine for one.

A low full toss, on middle, Sikandar Raza drills it down to long on for one more.

OUT! CAUGHT! Adam Zampa gets his 201st ODI wicket as well. No Ervine-Raza big stand in this game for the hosts. This is floated, full and around middle. Craig Ervine gets down on one knee and plays the reverse sweep. He connects well but fails to keep it down as it flies towards backward point. Mitchell Marsh anticipates early, moves to his left, and then puts in a dive to take a sharp catch. Zimbabwe lose half their side now.

A googly, short and around leg, turns in, Brad Evans tries to pull but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Flighted, full and on off, Brad Evans drives it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, full and on off, Sikandar Raza lunges out and fends it to the off side.

Pushed through quicker, full and on middle, Sikandar Raza tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Looped up, full and on leg, Brad Evans knocks it to the left of short mid-wicket. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over!

Quicker, full and on leg, Craig Ervine jams it out to long off for a single.

Floated, full and on off, Sikandar Raza taps it towards cover-point for a run.

Flighted, full and on middle, Craig Ervine drills it towards long off for another run.

Goes short, around off, Sikandar Raza cuts it away to point for one.

Edgy! Slows it, full and on off, turns away a bit. Craig Ervine looks to push it away but gets an outside edge wide of short third for a couple of runs.

Darts this one, full and on leg, Craig Ervine uses his feet and forces it down to long on for one more.

Tossed up, full and around off, Craig Ervine uses his feet and drives it wide of mid off. Nathan Ellis runs to his right and dives to make the stop. A single taken.

Floated, short and on middle, Sikandar Raza stays back and pats it back to the bowler.

Close! Flighted, full and on middle, Sikandar Raza drills it down the pitch. Adam Zampa gets a hand on it on his follow-through and the ball deflects just past the stumps. Ervine might have been in trouble if that hit the stumps. They cross.

Flatter, full and on off, Craig Ervine goes down for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Darts in a yorker, on middle, Craig Ervine digs it out to long off for one.

FOUR! Short and punished! Adam Zampa drags his length back a bit too much, on middle. Sikandar Raza rocks back quickly and heaves it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

A loopy low full toss, on off, Craig Ervine drives it through covers for a single.

FOUR! Great shot! Flatter, full and around off. Sikandar Raza gets his hands through the drive and crashes it through covers for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on off, Sikandar Raza taps it in front of point for a run.

Flighted, full andon off, Craig Ervine drives it to long off for another run.

A bit short, on middle, Sikandar Raza stays back and clips it to square leg.

Floated, full and around leg, Sikandar Raza backs away but gets yorked and can only jam it back to the bowler. Zimbabwe need 186 runs in 96 balls!

Full and on off, Sikandar Raza pushes it through covers for a single.

On a length and on off, Craig Ervine opens the bat face and steers it towards point.

FOUR BYES! That just takes off! Josh Hazlewood bends his back and bangs his into the pitch, at 134kph, on middle and leg. Craig Ervine ducks under it, but the ball just keeps rising and Josh Inglis fails to grab it despite a leap,as the ball races to the fence behind.

Another bouncer but from over the wicket this time, on middle, Craig Ervine ducks under it again.

Much fuller and on off, Craig Ervine drives it towards short cover.

Pitched up and on off, Craig Ervine drills it towards mid off and sets off for the run. He has to hurry a bit, but the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.

Flatter, full and on middle, Craig Ervine tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

A bit short, on off, Brendan Taylor pats it in front of short third for a quicks run.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Craig Ervine pushes it back to the bowler.

Floated, full and around off, Craig Ervine moves across to scoop but toe-ends it in front of short cover for another run.

OUT! TAKEN! Oliver Peake gets the breakthrough for Australia and picks up his maiden ODI wicket. He tosses it up, full and on middle. Brendan Taylor gets down on one knee to sweep it away but the ball bounces a bit more than he expects. It takes the top edge and flies towards deep backward square leg, where Josh Hazlewood runs to his right, settles under it and takes a good catch. Zimbabwe are 159/4, chasing 357 runs.

Loops it up, full and on off, Sikandar Raza lunges out and steers it towards point for a quick single.

Fuller and on the pads, Craig Ervine clips it wide of fine leg and comes back for the second run.

On a length and around off, Craig Ervine opens the bat face and steers it towards deep third for a single.

Hits the deck hard, on off, nips back in. Brendan Taylor looks to push it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads. He wants the run but is sent back.

Pitched up and on middle, angling into the pads, Brendan Taylor flicks it to deep square leg for a run.

Lands this short of a length and just around off, takes pace off and it shoots up off the deck. Craig Ervine tries to cut it away but misses.

Back to the fuller length, on leg, Craig Ervine works it through square leg for one.

Full and on off, dug out through the mid off region for a single.

Full again, in and around off, Ervine blocks it off.

FOUR! Great intent from Ervine. Floated up on a nagging length around off. Craig Ervine goes for the slog sweep, dragging it well wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Ervine goes back-to-back and up comes the 150 for Zimbabwe. Full and flat, at the stumps. Ervine lunges inside the line, sweeping it through backward square leg for four more runs.

Darted in on middle, Ervine jams it into the turf and down to long on for a single.

Taylor will feel he's missed out there. Full and on off, in the slot. Taylor reaches out and drives it to mid off, as opposed to going for the lofted drive. 206 more needed off 120 balls.

Flighted up on off and middle, Taylor comes down the pitch and eases it to long on for one. There is a stifled appeal for LBW as the bat and pad were close together, but the umpire turns it down.

That's sensational from Nathan Ellis. Full and outside off, Craig Ervine nails the reverse sweep past short third and the fielder gives up the chase. However, Ellis runs around to his right from deep point and dives in to save the boundary. Three taken.

Oh, a bad mix-up between the batters, but luckily they get away with it. Floated up on the pads, Taylor tickles it down to short fine leg. The batters set up for the single but Taylor sends Ervine back and a wide throw allows Ervine to scamper back at the bowler's end.

Darted in full and on middle and leg. Taylor jams it out to the left of the bowler.

On the pads, clipped away in front of square leg for a single.

FOUR! Ervine does get the boundary this time. Very full and outside off, Ervine gets the reverse sweep out again and hits it very fine and the ball races away to the deep third fence.

A bit shorter, on off and middle, Taylor rocks back and swats it down to wide long on for a run.

Bowled into the pitch, around off and grips a bit. Ervine rocks back and punches it down to long on for one more.

Quick and full, wide outside off. Taylor leans across for the paddle but mistimes it towards square leg.

On the pads, swept away down to fine leg for a single by Taylor.

Tossed up on off, at 90 kph. Ervine drills the drive down to long off and rotates strike.

Peake gets away with a half-tracker here. Dropped short and down leg, Taylor angles the pull down to fine leg for just a single. 225 more needed off 132 balls.

Good length outside off, punched with a straight bat down to long off for a single.

Full ball around leg stump, Ervine misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to backward square leg.

Sharp work from Josh Inglis behind the stumps, but Ervine is safe. Adam Zampa bowls it from the front of hand and angles it across off, with some extra bounce. Ervine is beaten on the cut and Inglis whips off the bails. The third umpire has a look at it and finds that Ervine did lift his backleg a bit but his toe was always planted in the crease. Not Out.

Good length on off, punched off the back foot to long on for a single.

FOUR! That's a superb shot from Brendan Taylor. Full and outside off, Taylor nails the reverse sweep, threading it through the gap between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Floated up on middle, it is the wrong'un. Taylor looks to go inside-out over covers but miscues it through mid-icket for a single.

A round-arm delivery from Renshaw, angled into the pads. Ervine tucks it through mid-wicket and rotates strike.

Much more flighted, around off. Taylor leans on and pushes it gently to mid on for a quick single.

Tossed up, in and around off, Craig Ervine defends it off the front foot.

Full again, angling down leg, tickled to the left of short fine leg for one more.

Floated up at the stumps, Taylor tucks it away just behind square leg and picks up yet another single.

Nice and full, on off. This is played back to the bowler. Matt Renshaw shows a bit of aggression by throwing it back at the batter.

Tossed up outside off, turning away. Taylor plays a flowy drive but can't get it past the cover fielder.

Nagging length at the stumps, Taylor nurdles it behind square leg for a quick single.

Floated up to the batter, Kaia is drawn forward and clips it to wide mid on.

OUT! TIMBER! ODI WICKET NUMBER 200 FOR ZAMPA! He becomes only the second Australian spinner to achieve this milestone, after the late, great Shane Warne, who has 291 ODI wickets to his name. Coming to the delivery, it is a beauty from Adam Zampa. A flighted googly on off, dipping on the batter. Innocent Kaia leans forward to drive but is beaten in the flight. The ball turns in past the inside edge and goes on to clip the top of middle and leg.

On middle, it is the wrong'un again. Craig Ervine watchfully taps it to point.

Tossed up on the pads, flicked away wide of mid-wicket for a single by Ervine.

A leg cutter from Ellis, bowled on a good length and angling it away from off. Taylor dabs it down to deep third for a run. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Short of a good length, straighter in line, and tucked away past square leg for a single.

Seam-up delivery, a tad shorter and on off, getting it to jump up off the deck. Taylor crouches a bit and tries to ramp it away, but gets beaten.

Back of a length and around off. Taylor stays compact and pats it down to cover, where the fielder lets it through and concedes the single.

Slower delivery, pitched fuller around off. Kaia lets the ball come on, before nudging it gently down to backward point.

Length ball, slanted wide of the off stump. Innocent Kaia hangs back and opens the bat face, guiding it wide of Josh Hazlewood at deep third for a couple of runs.

Flighted delivery, full and outside off. Brendan Taylor leans on and strokes it to long off for a single.

Floated up, wide of the off stump, inviting the drive. Kaia raches for the drive and hits it uppishly to extra cover

Flatter one, pushed through a bit quicker and outside off. Kaia chops it down in front of point.

Nagging length around off, pushed away to the left of the cover fielder for a single by Kaia.

FOUR! Solid hit from Taylor. Tossed up on off and middle, it is the googly. Taylor lunges and hits it down the ground, to the left of mid on and picks up a single.

Flighted ball wide outside off, caressed through the cover region for a single. Zimbabwe have started to find the fence with regularity in the last few overs, but need to pick up those singles and twos more often.

FOUR! A confidence-boosting shot from Taylor. Length ball wide outside off, Taylor smacks it away and the ball speeds away, beating the chasing sweeper cover fielder to his right and goes into the fence.

Short of a good length, wide outside off. Taylor taps it down through covers for a single. 100 UP FOR ZIMBABWE.

Slower ball, at 112 kph, pitching it slightly fuller on off. Kaia manages to block it off.

A skiddy delivery, on a good length and outside off. Kaia gets rushed off the surface and hops to the off side, jamming it out in front of point.

A fumble by Oliver Peake but it doesn't cost an extra run. Back of a length, wide outside off. Kaia punches it down to the left of cover and picks up a single.

A tight single, but the batters manage to get across. Hard length in the channel, Taylor taps it wide of point and scampers through for the run.

Zampa comes in and starts with a short ball on off. Kaia swivels back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

The in-drifter now, on off and middle. Taylor plays it with a straight bat, tapping it down to wide mid on for another single.

Full and straight, gets it to dip a bit as well. Kaia defends it right under the eyes.

Tossed up on off, Innocent Kaia leans on and drives it down to long off for a single.

Dragged down, bowling it shorter over middle. Brendan Taylor pulls it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

FOUR! Loose from Zampa, and Innocent Kaia pounces on it. A half-tracker down leg, Kaia gets inside the line and pulls it down to fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Flatter, full and down the leg side, there to be put away. Innocent Kaia goes down and paddles it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Innocent Kaia drives it to long on for a single.

Quicker, short and on off, Brendan Taylor pats it back to the bowler.

Flighted, full and on middle, Brendan Taylor turns it towards square leg for a run.

Slows it up, full and around off, turns in, Innocent Kaia lunges out and defends it.

Dragged back, outside off, Innocent Kaia cuts it to deep point for one more.

WIDE! Quicker, short but down the leg side, Brendan Taylor misses his flick. Wided.

Floated, full and on off, Brendan Taylor eases it down to long on for a single.

Flighted, full and on middle, Innocent Kaia clips it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Slows it up, shortish and on middle, turns in, Brendan Taylor clips it towards square leg for another run.

Tossed up, full and around off, Innocent Kaia strides out and drives it wide of long off for a brace.

Loops it up, full and on off, Innocent Kaia taps it to the off side.

Slightly shorter in length, on middle, Innocent Kaia stays back and works it towards mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up, full and on off, Innocent Kaia prods forward and blocks it out.

Flighted, full and around off, Innocent Kaia tries to reach out but bunts it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Gets it away! Flatter, shortish and around leg. Innocent Kaia gets down on one knee and swipes it away past square leg for a boundary.

Floated, full and on middle, Innocent Kaia tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Drops it short, on off, Innocent Kaia flicks it off the back foot to deep square leg for one.

Short again, on middle and leg, Brendan Taylor nudges it to short fine for one.

Floated, short and on off, Innocent Kaia stays back and blocks it out.

WIDE! Fires this one full but down the leg side, Innocent Kaia tries to paddle it away but misses.Wided.

Flighted, full and on middle, Innocent Kaia drives it down to long on for a single.

Tossed up, full and around off, Brendan Taylor open the bat face and steers it towards short third.

Slows it up, full and on offf, Brendan Taylor eases it down to long off for a run.

Flatter, short and on off, Innocent Kaia backs away and cuts it to point.

Looped up, full and on off, Innocent Kaia drills it towards short cover. The fielder dives to his right but can only parry it towards long off. They cross.

Shorter in length, turning back in from outside off. Kaia stays back and pats it past cover for a single.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Matt Renshaw comes back into the attack and strikes again. Renshaw flattens the trajectory of the ball, spearing it in full on off and middle. The ball angles in a bit and Ben Curran ends up getting yorked as he tries to heave it across the line. The ball sneaks under the willow and crashes into the stumps, and Curran has to walk back as well.

WIDE! Floated fuller and down leg. Brendan Taylor leans on to flick and misses. Josh Inglis is quick to whip off the bails, but Taylor keeps his backleg planted inside the crease.

Tossed up on the stumps, Taylor leans on and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Quicker through the air, a bit fuller and on off. Kaia rocks back and gets rushed off the deck, but manages to keep it out.

Excellent work off his own bowling from Renshaw. Floated up on the stumps, Kaia leans on and clips it to the right of the bowler, who dives across and makes the stop.

Flatter one on middle, punched away from the crease to mid on for a single. The Aussie bowlers are going through the motions quickly and not allowing any time to the Zimbabwean batters to settle down.

WIDE! Looped up, but drifted down the leg side. Curran misses the paddle sweep and a wide is called.

High-arm action, but pushed through quicker on off. Ben Curran blocks it off.

This is floated up on off, inviting the drive. Curran leans on and drives it straight to cover.

On a length, turning away a bit from off. Curran cuts it through backward point for a single.

Nagging length around off, this one ends up on the pads. Kaia gets taken aback but manages to jab it towards mid-wicket.

Fuller one on the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a run.

Tossed up on off and middle, dips on the batter. Ben Curran punches it away to cover.

Quicker one on middle, full as well and at 91 kph. Curran pushes it down to long on and turns the strike over. 50 up for Zimbabwe. Australia were already past the 100-run mark at this point.

Flatter and straighter in line, tucked way to the right of mid-wicket for a quick single.

FOUR! Cheeky and effective. Dragged length on off, Curran brings out the reverse lap and nails it past short third for a welcome boundary.

A bit shorter again, around off, and Curran taps it wide of point for a single.

Pushed through quicker on middle, trying to slide one past the gate, but Kaia manages to keep it out.

Tossed up at the stumps, Kaia sits down to sweep but finds the fielder at backward square leg.

A full ball, honing in on off and middle. Kaia watchfully defends.

Pushed through flatter around off. Kaia plays it off the back foot towards wide mid off.

Slightly fuller and outside off, getting it to skid through. Kaia jabs it away towards cover-point.

Fractionally short and around off, Innocent Kaia rocks back and punches it out to cover.

A single after a string of four dots. Floated up on off, Kaia gets forward and drives it down to long off for a run.

Slightly into the pitch, angled back into the stumps. Curran plays it with a straight bat and down to long on for one more. Tidy over from Cooper Connoll, just 2 runs of it.

Full and bowled flatter as well, outside off. Brian Bennett brings out the reverse sweep but fails to connect.

Floated up on a shorter length, Bennett camps back and slogs it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowled with a round-arm at 89 kph and darted full into the pads. Curran tucks it across to mid-wicket.

Another full ball, on off and Curran drives it to long off for a single.

OUT! TIMBER! Brian Bennett is adamant and goes for the reverse again, getting himself into a real mess. Bennett sets up early for the reverse and Matt Renshaw sees it coming from a mile. This is darted in full and straight and Bennett ends up playing all around it. The ball goes through and smashes into the base of the middle stump, breaking the 46-run opening sand for Zimbabwe.

Dragged well short and around off, hit away off the back foot and square through the off side for one.

Back of a length, angled back in from outside off. Curran hangs back to defend.

WIDE! Curran shuffles early, exposing all three stumps. Billy tries to tuck him up and follows him down leg, but ends up spilling it past the pads for a wide.

Good carry for Billy Stanlake. Banged in on a shorter length over off and middle, Curran backs away to uppercut but the ball angles in and sails over the willow.

A round-armer, drifted down leg. Curran hops inside the line, trying to paddle it fine but misses and the ball brushes the pads.

Tossed up, fuller and on the stumps. Curran drives it through wide mid on for a run.

Nice and full, outside off. Bennett jams the drive out to covers.

The initial call is for two, but Bennett will have to settle for the single. Flatter one on off, Bennett rocks back and punches it through covers for a run.

Just back of a length, around off. Bennett stands tall and gets his hands through the line of the ball, smashing it down to the left of cover. The fielder dives and gets a hand on it, allowing the deep backward point fielder to run around and cut it off. Two taken.

Hard length, on a tight line around off. Bennett pushes it off the back foot to covers.

On the shorter side, Ellis hits the deck hard as well. Bennett stays put to play the short-arm jab but mistimes it to mid on.

 Bennett cannot believe that it's not been called a wide. A slower bumper, over middle and Bennett leaves it alone. It did seem just over head height, but a marginal call.

Good length on off, hit on the up and straight to the cover fielder.

A bit of a loosener, but Ellis gets away with it. Full and slanted well wide of the off stump, Brian Bennett goes for the booming cover drive but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge.

Stanlake comes around the wicket and hits the deck hard, bowling it in the channel. Curran jabs it down to cover.

FOUR! Nicely done by Curran. A bit shorter and at the hips, Curran swivels around and flicks it up and over backward square leg for a boundary.

This is pitched up at the stumps, Curran gets half a stride in and punches it to mid on.

A deceptive slower one, at just 118 kph and fuller around off. Curran gets forward but checks the drive, punching it wide of extra cover for a single. Good stop there as well from the fielder.

Good-length delivery, around the top of off. Bennett hangs back and defends it down to covers.

Pitched up full and around off, Bennett waits back and is late on the drive, smothering it to mid off for a quick single.

Back of a length, shaping away from off stump. Bennett stays upright and hits it square through cover-point for a single.

An immediate change-up from Ellis, taking pace off and angling it across off. Curran waits back well and deflects it down to deep third for one more.

Back of a length again, around off. Bennett rises with the bounce and smacks it away to deep backward point for just another single.

A complete mishit, but Ben Curran gets away with it. Hard length, tighter line around off. Curran stands tall, looking to hammer it back over thebowler's head, but shanks it badly in front of mid off.

Short of a good length, darting it across the left-hander. Curran throws his hands at it, slashing it down to deep third for a run.

Ellis hits the deck hard, bowling it over off and middle. Bennett hangs back and swings across the line, getting it off the inside half of the blade towards mid-wicket.

Good length around off, at 140 kph and angling in. Ben Curran hangs back to defend.

Good leave from Curran. Length again, around the top of off, Hazlewood gets some good lift off the deck. Curran lets it through to the keeper.

Pitched fuller and on middle, Curran leans forward and pushes it with gentle hands to mid on.

Good length, around the fifth stump line, and it seams away after pitching. Ben Curran makes another well-watched leave. Four dots in a row now.

Speared in towards off and middle, at 142 kph. Curran gets halfway forward and solidly blocks it back to the bowler.

Never a single there, and that's a good call from Bennett to send Curran back. Nagging length on middle, Curran stabs it down in front of mid on and sets off for the single, but manages to turn back in time.

Pitched up and on off, Brian Bennett drives it firmly but straight to mid off.

FOUR! Top shot! Short of a length and well outside off. Brian Bennett gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through covers for a boundary.

Much fuller, on middle, Brian Bennett drills it towards mid on.

A bouncer, on middle and leg, Brian Bennett ducks under it.

Beaten! Hits the deck hard, around off, nips back in sharply. Brian Bennett tries to cut it away but fails to connect.

Back of a length and on off, Brian Bennett tries to punch it from the crease but gets an inside edge wide of fine. Adam Zampa moves to his right to cut it out, keeping it to two runs.

Back of a length and on middle, Ben Curran stays back and blocks it out.

Short of a length and on off, Ben Curran dabs it down to point.

FOUR! Gets it away! Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bumper, around leg. Ben Curran stays inside the line and tries to hook but gets into an awkward position. It goes off the top edge to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

A bit fuller and around off, angling away, Ben Curran leaves it alone.

FOUR! Put away! Dug into the surface, on middle. Ben Curran climbs onto it and pulls it with disdain to the deep mid-wicket fence for another boundary.

Comes around the wicket, serves this full, on middle, angling in, Ben Curran knocks it to mid on.

Fuller and on off, angling away, Ben Curran leaves it alone.

Short of a length and on middle and leg, Ben Curran rolls his wrists and pulls it along the ground through square leg for a brace.

Ben Curran is a lucky man! Billy Stanlake hits the length hard, on off. Curran looks to push it away but the ball holds up on the surface. He ends up just lobbing it towards extra cover, where Travis Head dives forward and takes it just inches above the ground. Curran was dismissed in similar fashion in the first game, but the third umpire is called in to check the catch. The replay shows that the ball just bounced into the hands of Head.

Back of a length and outside off, Ben Curran lets it go to the keeper.

On a length and on middle, Ben Curran blocks it out.

Touch fuller and on off, Ben Curran pushes it through covers for one.

Good length and on middle, Brian Bennett tucks it towards short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Back of a length and just around off. Brian Bennett gets on top of the bounce and punches it with sweet timing through covers for the first boundary of the chase.

Much fuller and on off, shaping in, Brian Bennett knocks it down the pitch.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Brian Bennett looks to pull it away but gets hurried and miscues it off the bottom edge towards short mid-wicket.

Hard lengh and on off, Brian Bennett gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

FOUR! Elegantly done! Josh Hazlewood hits the deck hard and around off. Brian Bennett meets the ball right under his eyes and drives it on the up, caressing it through covers for another boundary.

Billy Stanlake begins with a full delivery, around off. shaping away. Brian Bennett drives it wide of mid off, where the fielder dives to his left to make the stop. A single taken.

Lands this on a good length and on off, Ben Curran crouches low and pushes it to extra cover.

On a length and around leg, Ben Curran flicks it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Short of a length just outside off, angling away from the batter. Ben Curran slashes but misses.

Nicely bowled! Billy Stanlake lands this on a hard length at 141kph, on middle, gets it to jag back in. Ben Curran stays back to play but gets cut in half as the ball goes past the inside edge.

Hits the deck hard, around off, angling away again, Ben Curran leaves it alone this time.

Right on the money! Josh Hazlewood starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, on middle, jags back in sharply. Brian Bennett hops up to ride the bounce and keeps it out on the pitch.

Good-length delivery, just around off, holds its line. Brian Bennett leaves it alone.

Beauty! Just short of a length and on off, straightening off the deck with extra bounce. Brian Bennett gets squared up as the ball zips past the outside edge.

Hits the deck hard, just outside off, shapes away. Brian Bennett tries to cut it away but misses.

On a length and on middle, angling in, Brian Bennett clips it towards mid-wicket for a single. Zimbabwe are up and running in the chase!

Play and a miss! Nagging length, on the sixth stump line, shaping away. Ben Curran has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. Just one run off the first over!