Australia make Super League move as Starc nears milestone
With three wickets in Australia's win over Zimbabwe, Starc is one wicket away from becoming the sixth bowler to reach 200 men's ODI wickets in green and gold.
Starc led the charge in Townsville, taking the wickets of Innocent Kaia, Wesley Madhevere and Tadiwanashe Marumani in his first four overs, consigning the tourists to 14/3. Regis Chakabva's side were unable to recover, eventually bowled out for 96.
Australia lost David Warner and Aaron Finch early in the reply, with Zimbabwe's left-arm quick Richard Ngarava (2/16) asking questions of his own. Ngarava also found the outside half of Steve Smith's bat, only for the ball to squeeze past a waiting fielder at backward point.
Watch Highlights of Each ODI as Australia and Zimbabwe Both Secured Victories
Smith went on to make light work of the chase, finishing on 47* (41), and was joined by Alex Carey (26* off 33 balls) as the hosts cruised to the target in the 15th over.
The win takes the Aussies to 90 points on the Super League table, overtaking the West Indies (88 points) and moving to seventh place. The top eight teams at the end of the competition go straight to India for the 2023 World Cup, with the bottom five moving to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, held in Zimbabwe next year.
They have now taken a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match series.
A win over Zimbabwe in the third ODI would likely move the Australians into sixth, while Zimbabwe will feature in the Qualifier on home soil.
Most men's ODI wickets for Australia
Glenn McGrath - 380 wickets - 1993-2007
Brett Lee - 380 wickets - 2000-2012
Shane Warne - 291 wickets - 1993-2003
Mitchell Johnson - 239 wickets - 2005-2015
Craig McDermott - 203 wickets - 1985-1995
Mitchell Starc - 199 wickets* - 2010-2022
