AUS vs ZIM, 2nd ODI: Preview, stats, and Fantasy XI
Australia will eye a series win when they face Zimbabwe in the second ODI on Wednesday. An out-of-the-blue five-fer from Cameron Green made light work of Zimbabwe's middle-order in the last game. Fifty from David Warner and a whirlwind cameo from Glenn Maxwell steered them home. Zimbabwe need to punch above their weight to pull an upset. Here is the preview.
Pitch report, timing, and TV listing
The Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville will host this affair. The wicket will aid both batters and bowlers throughout. If Australia bat first, one could expect them to hoard somewhere around 280-300 runs. Chasing sides have won each of the three one-dayers played at this venue. The match will be live-streamed on the Fancode app (5:10 AM IST).
Here is the head-to-head record in ODIs
Against Australia, Zimbabwe have managed only two wins in 31 face-offs (L 28, NR 1). Interestingly, Australia last played a bilateral series against Zimbabwe in May 2004, which they won by a 3-0 margin. Prior to that, the Aussies had won the home series (3-0).
Australia have ticked all boxes for the coveted duel
A series win could be right around the corner for Australia. Warner and Steven Smith remain the linchpins with the willow. Glenn Maxwell has been simply phenomenal this year, having amassed 192 ODI runs at 48.00. Green's all-round abilities are must-see in addition to Adam Zampa's spin prowess. Pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood would be looking to run down the rival line-up.
Zimbabwe have a hard task at hand
Zimbabwe rendered fighting shows versus Bangladesh. They troubled India to some extent in the final one-dayer. They will be hoping to emulate the same in the second ODI. Tadiwanashe Marumani (45) and Wesley Madhevere (72) batted well in the last game. They could be backed to ditto their show. Sikandar Raza needs to deliver the goods. Ryan Burl's leg-spin could fetch valuable wickets.
A look at the Probable XI of both sides
Australia (Probable XI): Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Steven Smith, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood. Zimbabwe (Probable XI): Innocent Kaia, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wesley Madhevere, Tony Munyonga , Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (captain and wicket-keeper), Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi/Blessing Muzarabani.
Hazlewood, Starc close to attaining monumental feats
Josh Hazlewood owns 97 scalps at 26.52. The right-armer can reach the 100-wicket mark. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has captured 196 wickets, averaging 22.47. He eyes the 200-wicket mark in the series. He will be only the sixth bowler for Australia to attain the feat after Glenn McGrath (381), Brett Lee (380), Shane Warne (293), Mitchell Johnson (239), and Craig McDermott (203).
Warner, Maxwell eye these numbers
Warner has belted 5,667 runs across 134 ODIs. He is 91 short of surpassing Shane Watson's run count for Australia (5,757). He will become the 11th highest run-getter for the Aussies in 50-overs cricket. Hard-hitter Maxwell has hammered 3,422 runs while striking at 126.83. He can attain the 3,500-run mark. He can also surpass Mark Taylor's run-tally (3,514).
Raza can trump Kapil Dev's run count
Middle-order batter Sikandar Raza has compiled 3,631 runs across 121 ODIs. He averages a decent 37.05. He can surpass the run counts of Nick Knight (3,637) and Kapil Dev (3,783) in the series.
Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Options
Fantasy XI (option 1): Regis Chakabva, David Warner (captain), Steven Smith, Ryan Burl, Glenn Maxwell, Sikandar Raza, Wesley Madhevere, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc (vice-captain), Adam Zampa. Fantasy XI (option 2): Regis Chakabva, David Warner, Steven Smith, Ryan Burl, Glenn Maxwell, Sikandar Raza (vice-captain), Wesley Madhevere, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood (captain), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
