FORMER Hampshire batsman Glenn Maxwell almost compiled his first ODI century as Australia completed a crushing 198-run win over hosts Zimbabwe in the opening fixture of the triangular series in Harare.

The tourists did not miss captain Michael Clarke, out with a hamstring injury, as they racked up 350 for six - their highest ever score against Zimbabwe - having been put in.

Unusually for such a big total there was no centurion, with Maxwell's 46-ball 93 – containing nine fours and five sixes – the largest contribution.

Aaron Finch, with 67, and Mitch Marsh, who made 89, also enjoyed themselves, with a total of 15 sixes and 27 boundaries plundered throughout the innings.

Zimbabwe never looked like getting close and were rolled over for 152 in 39.3 overs, Hamilton Masakaza’s 70 sparing an even more gratuitous winning margin.