Australia’s first ODI on home soil since 2020 was a success for the home side as they took care of Zimbabwe by four wickets in Townsville.
Much of the focus pre-game was centred around honouring the late Andrew Symonds, with both sides taking a minute’s silence for the former all-rounder as the match took place in his hometown.
When the action kicked off, Zimbabwe were sent into bat after Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bowl.
While the Aussies would’ve been hoping to make immediate inroads, opening pair Innocent Kaia (17 off 40) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (45 off 61) saw off Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood’s new ball spell.
The first breakthrough came via Mitchell Marsh in the 11th over, with Adam Zampa (3/57) then dismissing the number two, three and four batsmen with a quality leg-spin spell.
Wicket No.1 of the 2022-23 season goes to: Mitch Marsh! #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/3FY5GpvT8g
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 28, 2022
With the top order all in the sheds, all-rounder Cameron Green cleaned up with a maiden international five-for.
Green’s pace and bounce proved too much for the Zimbabwean middle order and tail as proven by his figures of 5 for 33 from nine overs.
With the tourists dismissed for 200 from 47.3 overs, Australia knew they could ease their way to the target if they didn’t lose wickets in quick succession.
Finch was the first wicket to fall after chopping on to Richard Ngarava for just 15, but fellow opener David Warner ensured the Aussies soon took the upper hand.
While Warner was eventually dismissed for 57, his innings was not without controversy after he was given not out for caught behind, but began to walk off the field when the Zimbabweans requested a review.
Despite initially believing he hit the ball, Hotspot would show no evidence of that as the left-hander was then called back to continue his innings.
Steve Smith (48 not out) proved the anchor of the innings as he meticulously ate away at the target, while an entertaining cameo from Glenn Maxwell (32 not out from nine balls) was enough to see the Aussies reach the target with 99 balls to spare.
MAXI-mum 💥
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 28, 2022
The 33-year-old is on the attack! #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/WRiUeSgpET
Zimbabwe continues their first tour down under since 2004 with two more ODIs scheduled for Townsville on Wednesday and Saturday respectively.