AUS vs ZIM: Cameron Green, David Warner fire Australia to 5-wicket win over Zimbabwe in 1st ODI

Australia rode on Cameron Green's 5-wicket haul and a steady fifty from David Warner to outclass Zimbabwe by 5 wickets in the first of a 3-match ODI series in Townsville on Sunday, August 28.

Cameron Green picked up his maiden 5-wicket haul as the all-rounder shone in Australia's 5-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the first of a 3-match ODI series in the tropical north Queensland city of Townsville on Sunday, August 28. In what was Zimbabwe's first bilateral series in Australia since 2004, the African side were bowled out for just 200, suffering a massive collapse.

Cameron Green had picked up only one wicket in his ODI career before Sunday but he was on fire on Sunday, picking up the crucial wicket of Sikander Raza for 7 and stand-in captain Regis Chakabva for 31.

Australia vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI Highlights

Green finished with figures of 5/33 while leg-spinner Adam Zampa chipped in with 3 wickets as Zimbabwe lost their last 6 wickets for just 15 runs, failing to post a competitive total on the board despite a solid 72 from Wessly Madhevere and 45 from opener Tadiwanahe Marumani.

Australia then made light work of the run chase, as Warner scored 57 off 66 balls and Steve Smith played the anchor role of the innings to make an unbeaten 48 off 80 balls to set up the victory. Glenn Maxwell finished the match with consecutive sixes off Richard Ngarava in the 34th over.

”(We) just had a really clear gameplan, got a bit lucky at the end there, was just the right place at the right time trying to bowl back of a length on a wicket that was kind of going up and down," Camron Green said.

“I was luckily the one who got the rewards, but I think the rest of the team bowled really well and basically gave me the opportunity to be in that position.”