Zimbabwe were put in to bat in windy, cloudy conditions, and were dismissed for 200 runs in 47.3 overs. For Australia’s seasoned batting squad, that total never appeared to be a problem as they quickly reached 201-5 with 99 balls remaining.
Innocent Kaia was caught and bowled by Mitchell Marsh for 17 after sloppy fielding allowed Zimbabwe’s frail top-order to get off to a promising start, easing to 61-1 by the first drinks break.
After taking two quick wickets for Adam Zampa (3-57), Wesley Madhevere, 21, and captain Regis Chakabva (31), both batted conservatively and had a 63-run stand.
However, the lower order utterly crumbled, swinging wildly against Green (5-33), whose entire haul consisted of catches in the deep as the final four wickets were taken for a total of 12 runs.
What a way to win it!
Glenn Maxwell was wasting no time #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/v2BoaKgTqc
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 28, 2022
After Aaron Finch left for 15 runs, David Warner and Steve Smith (48 not out) batted freely in search of a modest aim.
Warner avoided being run out by Sikandar Raza’s lost catch at 36, and two balls later he walked when wicketkeeper Chakabva quickly reviewed the play for caught-behind.
The opener was forced to shuffle back out to the middle after the review was considered to provide insufficient evidence to overturn the not-out ruling.
However, the off-spinner quickly caught Warner, cleanly bowling him for 57.
The middle order of Australia faltered, losing three wickets to leg-breaks from Ryan Burl, but Glenn Maxwell crushed 32 off nine deliveries to win the match.