Adam Zampa makes history, becoming only the second Australian spinner after Shane Warne to reach 200 ODI wickets

Adam Zampa joined Shane Warne as only the second Australian spinner to take 200 ODI wickets, while Travis Head marked his return to form with a century as Australia beat Zimbabwe by 84 runs in the second ODI in Harare to wrap up the series 2-0.Zampa reached the milestone after taking 2/62 in nine overs, dismissing Innocent Kaia and Craig Ervine as Australia successfully defended the target of 357. The leg-spinner became the seventh Australian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets, joining an elite group led by Glenn McGrath who tops the country’s list.

Zampa joins Warne in Australia’s elite spin club

Zampa has now taken 201 wickets in 123 ODIs at an average of 29.48. His tally includes 12 four-goal hauls and one five-goal haul. Warne remains Australia’s leading ODI wicket-taker with 291 wickets in 193 matches, while McGrath is the country’s highest wicket-taker in the format.

Travis Head returns to form with a century

Coming into the match, Head provided the foundation for Australia’s formidable total, smashing 112 off 84 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes. The left-hander also crossed the 9,000-run mark in international cricket during his innings.Head has now scored 9,111 runs in 201 international matches and 243 innings at an average of 40.31 and a strike rate of 87.08. His record includes 20 centuries and 43 half-centuries, with a top score of 175. He shared a 130-run opening partnership with captain Mitchell Marsh, who scored 53 off 63 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Head then added 60 runs with Cooper Connolly contributing 78 off 69 deliveries.A late breakthrough from Oliver Peake, who made an unbeaten 41 off just 18 balls, lifted Australia to 356/6. Brad Evans was Zimbabwe’s leading bowler, finishing with figures of 3/56.

Zimbabwe lag behind despite top-order starts

Chasing 357, Zimbabwe’s first six batsmen made starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. Having slipped to 187/5, the hosts had too much to do. Sikandar Raza top-scored with 45 off 49 balls, while Brendan Taylor made 39 off 40 and Craig Ervine scored 38 off 39. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 272 in 48.3 overs.Josh Hazlewood, Connolly, Matthew Renshaw and Zampa took two wickets each as Australia secured an 84-run victory. The win gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with one ODI still remaining.