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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The hosts claimed a comfortable five-wicket victory in Townsville on Sunday in the first series between the teams in Australia since 2004.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe openers Innocent Kaia and Tadiwanashe Marumani impressed in game one after defying Australia's star-studded attack for the first 10 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Kaia couldn't replicate that effort and was bowled for two by a superb in-swinging yorker from Starc in the third over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Raza's attempts at another lusty blow proved fatal and he holed out for 17.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe's hopes of a competitive total nosedived when Williams fell rashly for 29 in the 24th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n