Blistering Head ton leads Australia to victory in second ODI in Zimbabwe - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Travis Head smashed his eighth ODI ton against Zimbabwe. (AP Photo: Wonder Mashura)

Travis Head has returned to his blistering best after a lean spell with a 75-ball century to help power Australia to a convincing 84-run victory over Zimbabwe in Harare and wrap up their ODI series triumph.

Stand-in captain Mitch Marsh, who cracked a fine half-century himself, saluted "a complete performance" as the world champs found a new gear following their opening win on Tuesday and moved into a 2-0 series lead with a match still to come.

Head hadn't mustered more than 26 in any of his last eight knocks in all cricket, including Tests and IPL fare, but the left-hander was back at his intimidating best on Friday as he crushed 112 off 84 balls to spearhead Australia's formidable 6-356 after being asked to bat.

In reply, the hosts never looked like challenging as the return of Josh Hazlewood (2-48), and a couple of wickets apiece for the spin trio of Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and part-timer Matt Renshaw, ensured Zimbabwe could muster only 272 off their 48.3 overs.

Connolly, able to bowl his left-arm spin again after five months when he was unable to do so because of back trouble, delivered another fine all-round performance.

The left-hander built on the magnificent start provided by Head and captain Mitch Marsh, who put on a thunderous opening stand of 130 off 19 overs, as he followed up with 78 off 69 balls. Rising star Ollie Peake then chipped in with 41no off 18 balls, with three sixes, to give the innings a rousing finale.

Connolly also took a catch and the final two wickets of Zimbabwe's innings off successive balls to finish with 2-25.

It also proved a landmark day for Australia's premier white-ball spinner Zampa (2-62) as he picked up his 200th ODI wicket.

The only downside for Australia, who are using this trip to Africa as a reconnaissance mission before next year's defence of their ODI World Cup, was an injury to paceman Billy Stanlake, who went down with a side strain in his fifth over.

The final match of the series will be played at Harare on Sunday before the tour rolls on to South Africa for three ODIs and three Tests.