Warner, Finch demolish Zimbabwe attack

Australia A 282 for 0 (Finch 122*, Warner 154*) v Zimbabwe XI 300 (Taylor 85, Siddle 4-45)
Scorecard

Australia A took full control over a wilting Zimbabwe XI on the second day at Harare Sports Club, openers David Warner and Aaron Finch piling on a massive, unbroken 282-run stand. Their partnership took Australia A to within 20 runs of Zimbabwe's first innings total, which had been restricted to just 300 after Peter Siddle tore through the lower order with four quick wickets in the morning.

Zimbabwe welcomed back several senior players for the second of two four-day games against the Australians, and the returning Brendan Taylor had appeared to give them a base to work from as they reached 250 for 5 at stumps on the first day. Siddle laid waste to the lower order, however, using a ball that was still reasonably new to see off nightwatchman Ray Price and allrounder Elton Chigumbura in the space of an over.

He removed Regis Chakabva, the last remaining recognised batsman, four overs later and soon got past Brian Vitori for his fourth wicket. Trent Copeland had Chris Mpofu caught by Luke Butterworth in the 107th over to complete the collapse, the Zimbabweans having lost 5 for 27 since Price's dismissal.

Things didn't get much better for the hosts with the ball. Vitori and Kyle Jarvis took the new pill but neither man could break through and Jarvis leaked runs at an alarming rate. Australia A's fifty was brought up in just the eighth over, and though Warner and Finch slowed as the ball got older they could not be prised from the wicket.

Warner reached a 146-ball century shortly before tea and Finch followed him to the mark an hour or so into the final session, from 150 deliveries. Both men rattled on untroubled to the close, and Australia A will expect to build a hefty lead on day three.