Hayden & Lehmann Dominate as Australia Crush Zimbabwe | Total Humiliation Until a Dramatic Collapse

Cricket

Year2026

Duration16m

7.5

Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @cricketmax87   Australia’s second ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare followed a script few doubted, though the hosts managed to delay total humiliation until a dramatic late collapse. After being put in to bat, Australia piled up an imposing 323 for 8, built around a commanding third-wicket partnership between Matthew Hayden and Darren Lehmann. After early wickets left Australia at 43 for 2, Hayden and Lehmann took control with a stand of 137 runs. Initially content with singles, the pair gradually opened up, with Lehmann reaching his fifty faster before falling for 67. Hayden followed soon after with a powerful 87, dominating the leg side before holing out on the boundary. Australia’s later batting was marked by experimentation rather than consolidation, with Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn held back in the order. Wickets fell regularly, including a rare one to part-time off-spinner Brendan Taylor, but Jason Gillespie cashed in at the end with an unbeaten 33 — his best ODI score. Zimbabwe’s reply was never about chasing 324, but about avoiding embarrassment. Stuart Matsikenyeri gave them a brisk start, and Brendan Taylor once again showed composure and maturity, compiling his third consecutive ODI fifty with intelligent placement and patience. Supported briefly by Vusi Sibanda and Mark Vermeulen, Zimbabwe reached a respectable 163 for 2 in the 36th over. What followed was a complete collapse. Taylor’s dismissal for a well-made 65 triggered a chain reaction, as Zimbabwe lost their remaining wickets for just 21 runs. Darren Lehmann returned to collect four wickets for seven runs, completing a fine all-round performance that earned him the Man of the Match award. Despite a valiant effort for much of the innings, Zimbabwe’s late implosion underlined the gulf in class between the sides, as Australia sealed a crushing 139-run victory in a match that raised serious questions about its international status. #australia #cricketmax #highlights #ausvszim #mcgrath